Question about problem tenents

[MolotovCocktail]

Hi, I'm going to post this in _Chat also, as I think there is more traffic on that board. I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who might know about issues like this.

I have friends who have new neighbours renting the property next door to them. They completed their move over the weekend and already so far, have been what I would call antisocial.

1. Children (approx 5 and 7yo) shouting "Fuck you!" repeatedly from their window (just randomly shouting, don't know if it was directed to anyone)
2. Being noisy late at night and during the early hours of the morning (from 11pm-3am approx)
3. The same children playing completely naked in the street.

My friend isn't comfortable at all speaking to them for fear of what any repercussions might be.

She knows the landlord. If the behaviour/actions of the new neighbours carries on or worsens, can anything be done to quieten or, worst case, evict these new tenents?

The landlord can give them notice if he chooses to, but it may take a long time if it happens.

I had a family like that move in next door about 5 years ago. It has been hell - regular police attending, shouting, damage, general twattiness. THEY HAVE JUST MOVED OUT

Ah, that's great for you!

My friend is feeling very anxious because all if this has happened within 3 days.

They previously had a really nice young couple live next door which I think adds to the feeling of disruption/disharmony.

My friend isn't comfortable at all speaking to them for fear of what any repercussions might be.

I think your friend has to get over this a bit. She doesn't know this family and has no basis on which to expect 'repurcussions' from them. Popping over, welcoming them to the neighbourhood and just asking if they'd mind keeping late-night noise down a bit because the walls are thin etc is the best way to try and straighten the problem out. Hiding away and seething about something the new neighbours may be oblivious to (you don't mention what type of noise they're making, but it's entirely possible they're not aware of how noisy they are) is pointless. When we were kids, my brother and I thought it was the height of hilarious to shout rude words out of the window at people walking past: we dared each other as the words gor ruder and ruder. Our parents would have been horrified and utterly ashamed if they'd known, and the rude words certainly didn't come from them: don't assume that children swearing automatically means parents who are likely to turn on your friend and make her life a misery.

Considering the recent warm weather, children playing naked in the street isn't really unusual is it? Our village is full of small children in the evenings, wearing nothing at all or only their pants and running about with water pistols or in and out of paddling pools. Or is the problem that they're playing out at all hours and your friend thinks the children are being neglected?

If after a friendly chat the noise continues or worsens and other antisocial behaviour persists then by all means it would be a good idea for your friend to contact the neighbours' landlord and ask them to have a word about keeping to the terms of the tenancy agreement. Whether the landlord would do anything else or seek an eviction is entirely up to them: some landlords are keen to maintain neighbourhood harmony, others are keener to see the rent being paid.

Forgot to mention that persistent noise nuisance such as loud music can be reported to the council's environmental health team, who have a duty to investigate. However, the council are unlikely to investigate a situation like this where the neighbours are new and your friend hasn't tried to approach them about the issue first.

These are pretty comprehensive guidelines for tackling neighbour issues and making sure action is taking: www.gov.uk/how-to-resolve-neighbour-disputes/overview

Thanks Com, you've helped to bring some context. I think my friend did take a card and a bottle of wine over to welcome her new neighbours, but didn't mention the noise nuisance. It could all be quite easily resolved - you're right - and a friendly 'do you mind?' might be all it takes.

As for the naked children: its been decidedly chilly around these parts since the weekend, certainly not paddling pool weather. I don't know what time it was, just that it was cold and they were running around outside the front of their house, naked and hollering, which my friend found a little strange.

Hopefully this will be a case of '2+2=5'.

Thanks :)