Neighbour's house in state of disrepair

[Carruthers2]

Hi, am wondering if anyone here can point me in the right direction.

Next door neighbour's property over the last 10 years has fallen into complete disrepair. Rotten and broken windows, trees planted within a couple of feet of my property, numerous roof tiles missing, gardens inaccessible due to overgrowth, rats. I could go on but I'd be here all day.

The latest thing is their guttering fell down in Saturday's wind. Of course, it only fell down from the side of the house that is nearest to my property. The properties have only a concrete path inbetween them (detached properties). The path is owned by the neighbour and runs from the front garden and down the side of their house. This path goes right up to the wall of my house. There are no garden walls or fences separating the outside space until you get to the back garden and then it is all fenced off.

Their property is about 4ft away from my property. I'm thinking now that every time it rains the rain that would have been collected in their gutter is instead going to be falling onto the path and running straight into the wall of my house. Great!

The neighbours are alcoholics and drug addicts. The chances of them having any insurance on the house is zero. The chances of them repairing the guttering is also zero. Any conversations with them about the state of their property over the years (only about things that are having an adverse effect on my property) have been ignored by them.

Does anyone know what I can do? Would the council help? Is there any department that deals with things like this? They're both privately owned properties so I don't know if the council would get involved.

I really can't afford to go to a solicitor so that's out of the question.

I would call environmental health about the rats and the dangers that you and others feel you are under. Also maybe adult social services safeguarding team. Imagine the inside of the property. They sound like they need help too.

Environmental health have been out numerous times about the rats. Apart from telling me to buy rat killer they did absolutely nothing.

God, I absolutely feel for you, my neighbours house is a state as well, but not as bad as that.

Do you know if they’re the owners?

There's a dangerous structures team in my council - presumably in most others? They are interested in tiles hanging off, structures that might pose a risk to the public etc. Is this property a risk to passers by? If so, you could try them - mine is listed with building control.

Herocomplex, they are definitely the owners.

Legoroses, I will ring building control and see what they say. Anything is worth a try.

When the neighbours first moved in they were a little bit more approachable than they are now and when I mentioned things about their property they used to say "oh, yeah, we'll get that done". Needless to say, they didn't......... ever. They've turned a bit aggressive over the past few years so there's no communication at all between us.

Honestly the cheapest and easiest thing is offer to fix it yourself. Guttering is not expensive. I would hate to do it though on principle, but it sounds like type of people you need to pick your battles with.

Countrysidelife, the problem is if I try to speak to them they become aggressive. I've learned my lesson, I keep my distance.

I think Legoroses dangerous structures team sounds interesting?

Many councils don’t have them! You might be lucky but you might not. You could enquire about compulsory purchase. Also speak to your local councillor. Get more people on your side with the need to improve this situation. However don’t hold your breath. I might have sold up if I had seen this happening next door!