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Original poster

Really Really Angry - This is Going to cost us Thousands

37 replies

mumtochloe · 19/06/2006 13:01

Please please can anyone help with this. We put our house on the market 2 weeks ago as I have a place at university starting Feb 2007 in another part of the country. One day after we put it on the market 2 families from hell moved in - one next door and one opposite and both into rented houses. The ones next door are drug dealers and there are always dodgy characters coming and going at all hours. The family opposite are on benefits and all they do all day every day is sit outside drinking lager, swearing, letting their kids run riot in the road (including a two year old) and playing loud music. This is a road full of terraced houses so them and their friends block the pavement and you can hear them from a mile off.

We have had three viewings so far - one went really well and the man came back for a second viewing but when he arrived for this he took one look at the family opposite and drove off again. The other two went ok but I could tell that although they liked the house this family were putting them off.

I can't complain to the managing agent as I have a different accent to everyone else in the area so if it got out they would make my life hell, but I can't carry on like this. I am seething that we may have to reduce our house or worst case scenario not sell it at all because of these low lives. Please please tell me what we can do about this. I worked so hard to get my place at uni and don't want to have to lose it now.

Thanks

OP posts:
NomDePlume · 19/06/2006 13:03

Can you write to the management agent ?

Sympathies, I wish I had something more constructive to add.

SoupDragon · 19/06/2006 13:04

Don't know but you also can't complain because you have to fess up to any disputes with your neighbours.

EvesMama · 19/06/2006 13:04

write to them definatly..hate people tlike thatAngry

MrsBadger · 19/06/2006 13:05

yes, definitely write - fingers crossed for you

EvesMama · 19/06/2006 13:05

also, like soupy said probs/disputes/complaints do have to be mentioned when selling??...so def do it annonamously!

winnie · 19/06/2006 13:07

I do not want to start a row... your neighbours sound horrible BUT what does this have to do with them being on benefits? it is irrelevant a sweeping statement andoffensive. Sorry

If something illegal is taking place you should contact the police and the landlord. You can do this anonymously. They are breaking their tenancy agreement.

Frankly, unless you do these things to start with nothing will change.

plug · 19/06/2006 13:07

Can you not modify your plans slightly and rent your house out instead? What were you going to do if you couldn't sell by Sept? If you rent it out and rent where you're going to study, it could save a lot of heartache and worry.

flutterbee · 19/06/2006 13:07

also if you have any sort of proof the lot oover the road are dealing then I would call crimestoppers.

mckenzie · 19/06/2006 13:08

if you put pen to paper complaining about these neighbours then you must disclose that, by law, when you are exchanging contracts with any buyer.
Better perhaps to try and arrange viewings of your house when you know that these neighbours are not around, if there are any such times.

zippitippitoes · 19/06/2006 13:08

if they are dealing in drugs then you can ring crimestoppers which is anonymous

EvesMama · 19/06/2006 13:09

i 'think' she meant, when she said they were on benefits..that they didnt leav/go out to work..meaning its a constant prob and prospective buyers cant come when theyre not there cos they always are??

Original poster
mumtochloe · 19/06/2006 13:11

Yes - DP said to write to them. Do you know if they can be evicted if they are within the 6 months tenancy and covered by a contract. I know one letter won't get them evicted but if they don't stop after being warned and if enough neighbours complain what would happen then?

I am feeling so angry at them, the timing and everything. I had to fight for my uni place and now I am so scared I won't be able to go :(

OP posts:
zippitippitoes · 19/06/2006 13:12

eviction takes a long time..

you could ring the environmental health officer if they are playing loud music

Original poster
mumtochloe · 19/06/2006 13:14

God Winnie - I knew SOMEONE would pick up on that. I have friends who have to claim benefits so I am not against people on benefits. However I do hate people who claim benefits and drink and smoke all day. I couldn't afford to that!

The issue is what to do about my situation so I did not mean to cause any offence

OP posts:
Original poster
mumtochloe · 19/06/2006 13:17

Think I will write anonymously.

I would love to complain but these are people you don't mess with. I am petrified if I do it will come back on us. with DD I can't risk it.

Horrible Horrible situation

OP posts:
EvesMama · 19/06/2006 13:17

i 'know' what you mean.
but it is one of those things somepeople will not like?..gloss over that bit and concentrate on getting house sold!Smile

sandradee · 19/06/2006 13:20

My advice MTC, keep your head down and get the hell out of there. Don't complian to any afficial route like environmental noise or the police because it will be recorded and then you will have to declare on your forms when you fill them in.

If the your purchasers find out then can sue you.

with any luck you can get your house sold. I would not mention the problems to anyone at all. Hopefully you could arrange viewings when you know it's fairly quiet?

I know it's going to be hard but you have to get out of there as quickly as possible.

Of course if you do have trouble selling then yes try speak to the landlords or whoever owns the property but it should be a last resort.

LIZS · 19/06/2006 13:24

Sad Eviction would depend on whether they are contravening the terms of their lease. Illegal activity is likely to be in there somewhere as is causing a disturbance to others but you probably would have to involve the police or noise complaints can go through the local council I think. Could be a lengthy process I'm afraid unless they are there illegally or default on the rent.

Original poster
mumtochloe · 19/06/2006 13:28

Sandradee - yes I can't wait to get out of there. It was a good area when we first moved here and now it is a hell hole. Our nextdoor neighbour is a policeman and he said he has reported the comings and goings but even he said nothing will be done straight away and it could take ages

Trouble is they are ALWAYS there - they even sat outside in the rain yesterday. I am so so worried about this.

OP posts:
themoon66 · 19/06/2006 13:36

I would not put anything in writing at all. I've just sold my house and the form you fill in to exchange asks about things like this. You would have to declare it as a dispute and then lose your buyers anyway.

I would act like all is sweetness and light. You have to be clear to buyers who look a bit wobbly that none of this is a problem.

I have been in a similar situation to you and have now managed to sell (been on market since March). I am SO glad I didnt make my complaints about the neighbours official.

sandradee · 19/06/2006 13:36

MTC, if your neighbour is a policeman then could you speak to him and explain your situation. Does he have any ideas on how to get them out? It;s good that he at least knows how it all works.

Just be VERY careful who you complain to regarding official routes since you might end up having it all backfire on you.

People normally only view once or twice and then you may need to give them access to measure up so you may be lucky. I know it sounds awful bt you have to look after you and your family.

Does your estate agent know the problems? If not then fine don't say anything - they probably won't anyway but you never know. Otherwise just play it down to them.

Original poster
mumtochloe · 19/06/2006 13:52

God am really worried now. The Estate Agents do know because I put my foot in it. Also we made a complaint about a year ago to the Council about a burglar alarm that kept going off at night at an empty property, but which has now been sorted. How will the next buyers find out about that?

So do you reckon I should write anonymously or not write at all?

OP posts:
Original poster
mumtochloe · 19/06/2006 13:59

Sorry Sandradee- didn't see your question there.

My neighbour just said he has got some of the dodgy characters from the other neighbours under surveillance. He can;t do anything about the noisy ones though :(

OP posts:
sandradee · 19/06/2006 14:01

burglar alarm is the not the same as bad neighbours so don't worry about that!! It's if you complain about your current situation to the environmental people they will log it as a complaint and if the new people have long term problems they will probably want to see if it has happened before. They are in their rights to check and if it comes up that you have complained but failed to mention it you could be in trouble -ie they may sue you.

Re Estate agents - they will want to sell your property for the highest amount so I wuld not be concerned - but I would play it down a bit.

Try and get them to show people round at the quiest part of the day. Perhaps keep a log to see which is the quietest part of the day so you get to know.

Please don;t worry - it will be fine I'm sure.x

ediemay · 19/06/2006 14:03

Dear mtc,

Try not to worry too much, I know that's easy to say. If yu have made any negative comments to the agents, try to be very cheery from now on, implying that all is well without saying anything directly. Remember they are acting for you, not your buyers, (although I know some are better at this than others). Reporting the alarm is not a problem - anyone, in any area would have done the same - even if only to let the owners know it is faulty.

Keep your house bright and tidy and be very upbeat at viewings - good luck, I hope you will get a sale soon. Perhaps some of their friends will buy it!