Bullying neighbours

[zm123]

I'm reluctant to post this on here in case my neighbours read it as I have been subject to bullying and victimising behaviour by several flats in my building for years now.

The issue came about because I live above a communal garden in a block of flats and complained about the constant noisy ball games in the garden all evening every day by children in the block and residents were then informed by the HA that ball games weren't allowed (I think this had always been the rule but had not been enforced up to now).

Well, the block has a majority of people with children and many of them have been living here for years and have formed a bit of a gang, and they have gone out of their way to make me feel like the devil ever since, accusing me of hassling them and reporting me to the housing association several times for anti-social behaviour when I have politely asked them to be considerate with their noise.

The ringleader of the group even recently sent a reminder around to everyone to remind them to report anything they're not happy with as anti-social behaviour. The issue is as there are more of them, I am being made to look like the bad guy. I feel like I am being subject to mob justice and am terrified that these people are out to ruin my life, is there anything I can do?

It sounds awful, so sorry you are dealing with this. Unfortunately, the type of people who aren’t considerate about making a noise, are unlikely to take being asked to be considerate well.
I’ve no clue if there is anything you can do. Just bumping in the hope someone else can help but maybe start keeping a log of all the dates/times & incidents they are antisocial or buy noise cancelling headphones, ignore it all and hope it all blows over.

Oh poor you. I had several years of unpleasantness with a neighbour. In the end I just moved, I know that’s not helpful and if you had said that to me at the time I would have said “why should I”. If that’s not an option have a look at Argos /amazon for a cheap Motorola cctv camera, they are ace. They run on your WiFi, very discreetLy they are wonderful at picking up noise and you can dial in from anywhere, hit record and have a record. It costs as little as £2.99 a month for archive too. Start keeping a record of all this behaviour that’s upsetting you, Times dates, who was there and what happened. talk to your local HOfficer and explain how upset and vulnerable you feel. (They might help you move it’s not a back down, it’s for your sanity). If it’s causing mental distress go to the doctors so you a) get help b) keep a log. Also your little cctv unit can be switched on to record any threats or breeches They do. Tell your HO that you have it. Actively ask for their help so they can see that you are worried but also a good tennant. Good luck. Try not to let it eat you up. I’m sorry for the shocking grammar my iPad just re writes my corrections.

I got the bump. Bump again.

Thank you, I appreciate your input. The thing is that if they keep reporting these things as anti-social behaviour and given they are a gang and I am only one flat, then I am terrified that this will escalate to something more serious. I own the place so can't ask to be moved, sadly. What is the legal viewpoint on those cctv cameras?

Legal view on CCTV is tough. People can complain but very rarely are you told to discontinue use. If you were holding video and ‘creeping’ on someone then that would be an issue! You can put a cctv sticker on display if you’re told to. Sound like they r a bit antisocial nightmare so I would have camera inside facing out the window not outside where they will inevitably get to it...I have mine inside my house. Other than that DITTO what MAMMATINO said. Take notes, take dates times, names if you know them, identifiable details. Take pictures if it’s possible... don’t go making it obvious tho. Keep in at the HA. Get someone to be your contact. Explain the way you have here. Call police when it’s appropriate. It’s really rough trying to live a peaceful life sometimes when others seem he’ll bent on acting like a bunch of feral animals and ganging up on you. Just as an aside, how do they know it was you that complained?