So after 6 months of my toddler son husband and I moving into our maisonette we have had a possession notice of a month served by the landlord.
The day after we moved in at 3pm we had a knock on the door and it was our new next door neighbour. Without introducing herself she announced she would like to know "what the thumping is?" Well I had no idea as we were not making any noise out of the ordinary but concluded it must have been my toddler walking around.
I was pretty taken aback so politely apologised, said I would try to find out what the noise could possibly be and assured her we would do our best to keep it down.
I had a feeling she would be trouble so we have kept noise to a minimum, as soon as evening comes we are near enough whispering, never have anyone round and after DS is settled and in bed by 9pm every night.
I was chatting with my DH one evening and she started banging on the wall.
No other complaints were given since.
One day I was approached by the head of the residents association who enquirer as to whether I was "living with an Asian man". I said no, (dH is Brazilian) but can't help wondering if there is a racial motive as well as an anti kids motive to this.
My contract was up after 6 months and just as I was deciding whether to sign for 6 months or 12 months a letter arrived informing us that the landlord was terminating our contract and it turns out that the residents association has had numerous complaints of excessive news from us and went directly to our landlord (we rent via agency so don't have contact with them), told them what terrible noisy neighbours we are and this is the result.
I panicked and have secured a much more expensive house, as I didn't want to end up homeless with a two year old, but problem is rent and bills now overlap by a month.
I happened to get into conversation with a neighbour today who have informed me that this residents association has seen off numerous families they don't approve of, one of the lovely men that lives opposite me puts his two strokes and ill health down to the bullying he has had over the years from this group of people.
My question is, am I able to take legal action against these people? And how? Or who do I look to for advice? Surely the fact nothing was ever brought to my attention formally, they have no evidence of any anti social noise from us and what they have done to me and others amounts to harassment?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated and thanks for listening to such a long rant!
Oh and they have a meeting tomorrow night, I feel like walking in and addressing the committee!