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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Neighbour kicked my door down/broke in

435 replies

Sparklfairy · 22/09/2024 20:51

AIBU to expect the police to arrest/remove him...?

I live alone in a flat in a block of 4. I have met this neighbour just once, and introduced myself. A few weeks ago he knocked on my door, not threateningly, but persistently - consistent knocking for 3-4 minutes... at 1.30am. I was awake as I WFH but nights, and just ignored it.

He went away, and there's been nothing since. Until yesterday at 6-something in the morning. Again, I was working but the flat was in total silence. No tv or any noise that would disturb him, I was literally just sitting on my bed.

Suddenly I heard a bang and froze. I was confused and didn't know what it was and was trying to work out where it was coming from. 3 or 4 further bangs and my front door burst open and he was stood there, swaying, glassy eyed.

I screamed. It's a studio, tiny flat, like one of those micro flats that you see advertised but yes, this is my life and I had no escape, no room to hide in, not even a bathroom with a lock on the door (as there is no lock, and the bathroom is opposite the front door).

I screamed at him, he said I was 'in' his head, fucking with his head (when I've done absolutely nothing), and when he tried to step towards me I screamed again and he suddenly 'clicked', became lucid and said ok and left. I was shaking.

My other neighbour (upstairs, but next door to him), texted me saying he heard screaming, and let me take refuge in his flat. Before I did, I obviously called 999. The police seemed non committal, that someone would come out at some point. 36 hours later I've had no visit.

But here is the kicker. When hiding in my neighbours flat, my friend/neighbour had the bright idea of just knocking on his door and talking to crazy tenant. He has recorded the conversation where crazy tenant admits I did nothing wrong but I just 'remind him' of someone and that's why he broke my door down

I rang 101 with the crime ref to update. The lady was so helpful and checked with her supervisor as she was astonished no one had come out to me yet. She reassured me that someone would attend and it had been miscategorised/recategorised now.

It's now nearly 9pm on Sunday and STILL nothing. I can't go home. The lock has been 'fixed' but obviously Crazy Tenant has proven that he can break it whenever he likes. I live alone. I have stressed every single detail which should have escalated this, but nothing is being done. I have chased with the letting agent but basically they're saying I have to wait until Monday for any action to be done. And even then, they were non committal as to WHAT would happen.

So I'm stuck, and cannot go home, and my rent is due today. I have no idea what to do.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
betterangels · 22/09/2024 22:28

BF1989 · 22/09/2024 22:24

Absolutely terrifying. This man sounds seriously mentally ill and dangerous.
I can’t believe the police haven’t responded. If I were you I would be in touch with your local news station, I bet that would get a response.

I would seriously consider this. It's terrifying. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.

Soangrynupset · 22/09/2024 22:31

Sparklfairy · 22/09/2024 21:49

I won't, absolutely not. I have only called back once to update when I actually have an update. He has been coming and going freely and is acting like nothing has happened.

I am in a hotel, and have drafted a complaint to my letting agent. I'm about to send it. If anyone can refine it I'd really appreciate it.

"I am very disappointed that you did not even acknowledge my email on Saturday, especially considering your duty of care obligation. You have used this 'wellbeing' of tenants to invade my privacy in the past, yet it seems completely contradictory that my safety and 'wellbeing' is being compromised now.

The Yale lock was replaced at almost 8pm on Saturday. I was so grateful that the locksmith didn't just 'clock off' after his last job ran over and he still came, but he was disgusted at the state you left the security of a vulnerable woman living alone in a flat without any escape or even a bathroom door lock. He even gave me advice to barricade the door for 'when' it happens again. I cannot barricade it. A stool was left by another tenant but it would serve no purpose. I do not have the space to accommodate other furniture to wedge, as he advised, between the door and the wall. I have nothing to protect myself.

The Yale replacement itself is as useless as no replacement at all - as the unstable tenant above me has demonstrated he can easily break it and enter my flat with little more than 4 firm kicks to the weakest point.

I note that my rent is due today. I also note that my statutory right to quiet enjoyment of my flat, free from threats, harassment, and violence, has been breached with not even a reassuring email from you, or someone covering for you at Caxtons in the event of an emergency. Of course, there is no dispute that my inability to stay in my flat due to your unpredictable and violent tenant (who can break a Yale lock in less than 10 seconds with no provocation whatsoever because of his drug use) is an emergency.

If indeed you try to claim that there is a term (implied or otherwise) within the tenancy agreement that I am obligated to pay the rent even when the property is so clearly and indisputably uninhabitable, I draw your attention to The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Terms that are unfair or unclear, such as requiring tenants to pay rent for an uninhabitable property, are not enforceable in law. This includes terms that are not explicitly defined, but implied by the actions of the Landlord and/or their agents.

I have already had to pay £138.38 for two nights in a Travelodge at short notice which will be extended indefinitely until the tenant is removed. I will, of course, be making my civil claim for losses and damages against Caxtons directly and not the Landlord if you allow this situation to escalate to that point. Mr [Landlord's name] has done absolutely nothing wrong; it is purely your failure in your duty of care that you are so quick to abuse and misrepresent when it allows you to invade my privacy that means Caxtons alone is liable for my losses.

Once the tenant has been removed, I will make a pro rata rent payment calculated for the days that the property was uninhabitable for the August-September period to offset the current September-October payment due. If the Landlord wishes to pursue this loss in rent in a civil claim, I have and will continue to collect evidence of your failure in service which demonstrates that it is not me who has breached the contract, but you. I will assist Mr [Landlord's name] by any means necessary to mitigate his losses due to your failure in service.

I await your swift resolution to this matter."
"

I woukd not exonorste the landlord in your email, least it come back to bite you.
You have no idea of what the agreement is between LL and Caxton. You also have no idea if the LL has been made aware or what response he has had to the situation.
Leave the LL out of your email. Focus on Caxton until you have more information.

Sparklfairy · 22/09/2024 22:32

Wow. I've literally just had a call from the police.

A woman wanted to know my location i.e. the hotel, which I refused to give and explained that they had left me for 36 hours+ with the perpetrator literally feet away and they don't know if/when they will come out.

She then basically tried to say that because they didn't know where I was, that meant that they 'couldn't' follow up. I immediately offered to attend a police station and pointed out that she should have offered the same. She then got defensive, and eventually we have come to an agreement of 11am tomorrow at the local police station.

Why the fuck are they more focused on covering their arses.

OP posts:
nosleepforme · 22/09/2024 22:34

Hugs, op x

Avatartar · 22/09/2024 22:34

OP if I were you, I’d ask to be rehoused. I know it’s not your fault, but he knows where you are if he’s moved, if you move he’ll have no idea and as it’s not personal. I doubt he’d try looking for you.
escalate matters with agent, police and council tomorrow

Bickybics · 22/09/2024 22:34

Sorry not read it all but can you contact your local MP, Councillor? I’m spoiled my local councillor is a star and would be all over something like this in her ward.

SodaFountainMountain · 22/09/2024 22:35

Glad you are safe. Don’t send the email tonight. Now you are safe sleep on it and get some advice tomorrow- womens aid and shelter. There may be legal firms that will do a free hand hour consultation. I used one when I had landlord issue. Good luck. Look after yourself really well. You have had a real shock. I know it sounds odd but if you have a game like Tetris play it for an hour - limited research shows it lessens the likelihood of intrusive traumatic memories.

oakleaffy · 22/09/2024 22:35

@Sparklfairy Could you not give the police your hotel address?

Why does this make you worry?

Could you not meet them in the lobby?

spuddlesmcgoo · 22/09/2024 22:35

Sparklfairy · 22/09/2024 22:32

Wow. I've literally just had a call from the police.

A woman wanted to know my location i.e. the hotel, which I refused to give and explained that they had left me for 36 hours+ with the perpetrator literally feet away and they don't know if/when they will come out.

She then basically tried to say that because they didn't know where I was, that meant that they 'couldn't' follow up. I immediately offered to attend a police station and pointed out that she should have offered the same. She then got defensive, and eventually we have come to an agreement of 11am tomorrow at the local police station.

Why the fuck are they more focused on covering their arses.

100% on your side here but out of interest why would you refuse to tell the police where you are after you’ve waited so long for them to get in touch?

Avatartar · 22/09/2024 22:36

Just crossed with your update - good luck tomorrow with the police

Haggia · 22/09/2024 22:37

5128gap · 22/09/2024 22:15

Re your email OP. I'm not clear from reading it what you want them to do? You say you await a swift resolution, but don't specify what your expectation of them is. I think you need to spell out what exactly you see as the resolution. Are there other security measures you feel they should install, a stronger door, dead bolts? Are there other properties under their management you feel they could move you to?

Totally agree. It’s not clear what she is looking for from them, but also sounds like she emailed rather than called on Saturday which surprised me. Maybe the first email was clearer on the detail.

meiehwa · 22/09/2024 22:37

Hideous op.

BiscuitlyBoyle · 22/09/2024 22:38

spuddlesmcgoo · 22/09/2024 22:35

100% on your side here but out of interest why would you refuse to tell the police where you are after you’ve waited so long for them to get in touch?

I agree. With you 100% but why not tell the police where you were?

Sparklfairy · 22/09/2024 22:39

For those that have asked. It's Kent Police.

OP posts:
Sparklfairy · 22/09/2024 22:40

BiscuitlyBoyle · 22/09/2024 22:38

I agree. With you 100% but why not tell the police where you were?

Because all I'm doing is giving them information that they then don't use. It highlights their failing, that they haven't attended when they should have. And now I have to come to them because they failed in their duty of care.

OP posts:
Sparklfairy · 22/09/2024 22:43

Haggia · 22/09/2024 22:37

Totally agree. It’s not clear what she is looking for from them, but also sounds like she emailed rather than called on Saturday which surprised me. Maybe the first email was clearer on the detail.

Sorry I wasn't clear. This happened in the early hours of Saturday. I waited until their offices opened at 10am (closed at 4pm). The receptionist ordered a locksmith and got in touch (successfully) with the woman that manages my flat, even though she doesn't normally work weekends.

It was the receptionist that told me to email my agent with photos, the crime reference number, and the complaint. I did, at 11am. She didn't ever reply. My (friend) neighbour had to go into the agent offices anyway to return a spare key and asked what was happening and was simply fobbed off, which is what prompted my email.

OP posts:
StarDolphins · 22/09/2024 22:44

This is terrifying op. I’d ring 999, he’s nuts & dangerous. He’s clearly v v mentally unwell. I would also speak to your MP. Feel so sorry for you, I’d be petrified. Wtf, why hasn’t anyone been, it’s disgusting.

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 22/09/2024 22:47

Sparklfairy · 22/09/2024 22:40

Because all I'm doing is giving them information that they then don't use. It highlights their failing, that they haven't attended when they should have. And now I have to come to them because they failed in their duty of care.

I don't get this. They wanted to come and speak to you about what happend you didn't tell them where you were 🤦

FlamingoFloss · 22/09/2024 22:47

OP, I so feel for you. This is awful. Are you in Medway/Kent? We used to rent from Caxtons and they were shocking. I’m in Medway and if you are too and I can help please pm me

fretaway · 22/09/2024 22:48

OP they are wanting to allocate some officers to come to speak to you in person. That is why they wanted to know your location. But if you feel safer going to them I understand.

That is appalling how they took so long to respond. We had our back gate kicked in and the guy was out in the street, they sent police down straight away to deal with him and came to check up on us after.

I hope that you get moved somewhere else very soon by the letting agent. Personally would want to see you get as far away from this man as possible.

Saschka · 22/09/2024 22:48

Ifoughthefight · 22/09/2024 21:56

Just leave the whole area and move to a nice little market town, out of a big city

There are mentally ill people in nice little market towns too, you know.

fourdoorsdown · 22/09/2024 22:49

This country is a mess. No one realises our services aren’t working properly until we need them.
You need a restraining order from this man who means you harm. He needs to be sectioned under the mental health act. The police need to be reviewed for neglect. Contact MP, contact Home Secretary, contact police boss, contact newspapers. An apology from police for incompetence can’t make this right. Don’t accept one. Some mistakes are too big to brushed under carpet with apology. Demand justice to protect your life or the next persons who is ignored because someone can’t /wont do their job.

urbanbuddha · 22/09/2024 22:50

Redglitter · 22/09/2024 22:10

I'm a Police Despatcher & I'm appalled noone attended. That would have been an immediate response call where I am.

I'd call 101 & say you wish to make a complaint and ask for a duty Inspector to call you to discuss it. That gets the complaints process started.

This^

I don’t know about other police forces but the Met don’t attend if it’s mental health problems. It’s appalling. I suppose they would if blood had been spilt but kicking a door down, nah just refer it on to the mental health team in the morning. They come out a week or so later and the perp talks a good talk and that’s it.

Thunderpants88 · 22/09/2024 22:54

Please please get a ring doorbell and put a massive sign outside your door alerting people they are being recorded 24/7 and the camera is linked to the police

spuddlesmcgoo · 22/09/2024 22:54

Again not excusing initial failings - they absolutely should’ve attended immediately but you don’t need to go to them it sounds like they’ve said they’ll come to you and you’ve refused to say where you are?

They also can’t now act on anything until they’ve got a statement from you so don’t think there’s much sense in delaying it another night. It’s going to be even harder to get them to show urgency if you’re not showing it either.