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Original poster

How do I complain to the council about my neighbour?

15 replies

purpleflower · 05/05/2009 15:51

The house I live in is privately rented and my next door neighbour's property is council.

Over the past couple of days I have been assaulted by my neighbour. Her son (who doesn't live there) has also threatened me with a baseball bat and smashed up property in our garden. The police are involved with it but we would also like to put a complaint into the council.

I have looked on the website but I am unable to find anything.

TIA

OP posts:
Seeline · 05/05/2009 16:10

The property might be managed by a Housing Association on behalf of the Council. In any case I would have thought if you rang the Housing Department at the Local Council they would be able to point you in the right direction.

Original poster
purpleflower · 05/05/2009 16:32

thank you very much. As far as I know it is still council, she has lived there for around 50 years!

OP posts:
dilemma456 · 05/05/2009 16:45

Message withdrawn

fortyplus · 05/05/2009 16:58

You need to speak to her Tenant Services Officer. You won't get anywhere just on the basis of an initial conversation because quite understandably they can't just take one person's word against another. But if what you say is true then it's likely that other people are having the same problems and this will build up a picture of how she is behaving. You need to keep a diary of incidents and if you know other people are suffering then encourage them to do the same.
One thing to bear in mind is that you may never hear any more from the council. She has rights to confidentiality and so they cannot tell you what if any action they are taking against her.

Original poster
purpleflower · 05/05/2009 17:36

Once again, thank you.

Unfortunately no one else has the same problem as it is to with access rights through our garden.

How would I find out who is her Tenant Services Officer? Is that something they will be able to tell me when I call the housing department tomorrow?

She has been arrested and released with a caution so it's not just my word against hers, she admitted it in the interview that she assaulted me. Her son on the other hand denies everything so that is ongoing.

OP posts:
pooka · 05/05/2009 17:37

Was it you that posted about the wedding at the first house in the row of houses? And them using the back door as a front door?

Am really sorry that it has obviously escalated (if that was you).

Original poster
purpleflower · 05/05/2009 17:58

No thats not me but my neighbour does use her back door as a front door. This has resulted in my 2.7yr old son running into the road. They are trying to get us to move but we wont, we like this house and its cheap lol.

OP posts:
choufleur · 05/05/2009 18:02

Call the council and asked to be put through to housnig management (or whatever you council calls it). there will be tenancy service offers for particular areas and neighbourhood managers (or equivalent job titles). make sure that they know that you are making a formal complaint and tell them what happened with the police.

is there a TARA (tenants and residents association) where you live. if there is get in touch with them too - they often know the right people to contact at the council.

Original poster
purpleflower · 05/05/2009 18:05

I don't know if there is a TARA here, I've never heard of it. I'll try and look it up, thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleflower · 05/05/2009 18:10

I've just googled and can't find anything.

OP posts:
pooka · 05/05/2009 18:14

How about contacting your local councillors? They would be able to contact the Council on your behalf, or at least will know who in the Council would be best to speak to.

Original poster
purpleflower · 05/05/2009 19:45

Sorry, I went to bath the DC. If I have no joy with the Housing Services then I will try the councillors, thank you very much

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleflower · 06/05/2009 11:08

I phoned the council this morning and after 20 minutes faffing around she found who I need to complain to and put me through. He is out of the office today so I am waiting for a call back.

Thank you all

OP posts:
choufleur · 06/05/2009 18:53

if they don't call you back, make sure you chase them and if no luck get the name of their manager

fortyplus · 07/05/2009 21:03

Hi - sorry I went away on Tue before I saw your next post. As your problem is with access issues then you should inform your landlord as it will be in their interests to protect the rights to the property. Disputes with neighbours have to be declared when selling a property so it is in your landlord's best interests to support you with this.
I haven't been able to tell from what you've written whether your neighbour is gaining access to your property when she shouldn't. Or is it that she does have a right of access but is behaving unreasonably in another way? You mention your child getting into the road, so is she using a gate and leaving it open? Unfortunately if that is the case then it's probably down to you to be supervising your child to make sure that he doesn't go out with the gate open. The assault, of course, is another matter entirely! Make sure you give a crime ref no to the Tenant Services Officer when he phones you back. If you haven't heard anything by lunchtime then phone back and ask for him. If he's not there then put on your best polite but firm voice and say that as this is a serious matter involving a physical assault then you would like to pass on the details to his manager. Drop into the conversation that you feel your child is at risk because of the tenant's behaviour. Good luck

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