New baby new house - aggressive neighbour

[Birdgirl21]

First time posting but I’m at the end of my tether and need some advice! We have an 11 week old baby and just completed on our first house - removers coming tomorrow and we are leaving our perfect little rented property.

I had some bad vibes the other morning at 7am when I was there, she was hidden under a huge umbrella and blasting sermons on a speaker and smoking something Strange smelling or burning incense?

My partner went round today to drop some stuff there, and tapped on the wall to see if it was plaster or brick etc when he heard the neighbour scream STOP TAPPING MY EFFING WALL and she went on at the top of her lungs for about ten minutes. She then flew out of her property and banged on the door of ours, and again screamed at my partner ‘THIS IS A NICE NEIGHBOURHOOD YOU ARE DISRESPECTING ME YOU EFFING RACIST C WORD YOU RACIST PIECE OF SHIT’ my partner was really shaken, apologised and explained but she wasn’t in a state to respond she just kept screaming until he left.

Is there any recourse I have? Should the seller (who moved out after 9 months) have let us know about the neighbour? I am going to be in by myself with my little baby all day and I’m sick with worry. Due to the market there was competition and we all out in the same offer and we were told the buyer chose us as I was heavily pregnant at the time - the neighbour flew off the handle so quick and forcefully it can’t have been the first time…

My partner was going to report to police it was that bad, but I am worried if we do that we will have to declare it when we sell and we will be stuck, otherwise it is a lovely little family home…

Any one have any advice or thoughts?? I feel sick with worry.

Oh heck. I don't know what to suggest but that sounds awful. Do you know if it's rented or owned? If the former then you should be able to find the landlord on the register and maybe speak to them?

Oh wow, can 100% understand your worry OP. Did the seller give a "reason" for moving after just 9 months? Anything mentioned on the property forms about disputes or complaints? (I am assuming not, but maybe double/triple check). If the seller has had formal complaints made against the neighbour or police involvement (and failed to declare it!) then I am sure there is some sort of legal recourse to be had. Hopefully someone with more legal knowledge will be able to advise on the correct route for this.

In the meantime, I would move in and see how things play out. Diligently document anything and everything that happens. Also consider investing in CCTV or a ring doorbell. There is the possibility that perhaps once the neighbour gets used to you then things might quieten down.

If you suspect the seller has lied, you could casually ask around the other friendlier neighbours to scope out if there was a "known issue"...for example someone might say "oh yeh, I know that John was always calling the police/council on her". You then know there must be a paper trail somewhere of the complaint which gives you back-up if you want to pursue it further.

You mention the neighbour was hidden under an umbrella and blasting sermons. Was that out publically in the street? If so, other neighbours must also be aware and suffering the same problem.

Oh gosh. I'm so sorry. This is the last thing you need. Sounds horrific regardless of new baby, but especially with one!

It's hard to know what to do. I think suggestion of engaging with the other neighbours is a good one, and trying to glean any info from them. Remember, if she's acted like that so suddenly and irrationally it definitely won't have been the first time. Also good advice to see if it's bought or rented. Good idea to get CCTV sort of thing ... and I guess do your best to keep away from her and not engage (easier said than done I know!). Do let us know how it all pans out. You have my sympathies- horrible neighbours are awful.

Oh my dear God OP... PLEASE RING YOUR SOLICITORS AND TAKE SELLERS TO COURT.
Ask solicitors for legal advice, go back to renting and charge the sellers, assuming your solicitor advises this.

I completely empathise with you.
In the meantime see what it's like, if you can't cope can you stay with family? Xx

I’d be interested to know if any undeclared legal disputes.
Any other neighbours you could meet and get some info on the crazy one from/ advice on how they deal with her

@JustAWalkingTalkingCotBed

Oh my dear God OP... PLEASE RING YOUR SOLICITORS AND TAKE SELLERS TO COURT. Ask solicitors for legal advice, go back to renting and charge the sellers, assuming your solicitor advises this.

Sorry but this is terribly bad advice unless you can prove that the sellers have actually lodged any form of formal complaint about the neighbour.

There are many legitimate reasons someone could sell up after 9 months (divorce, new job etc).

And just because the neighbour is being an arse with the OP doesn't mean they were with the seller.

@JustAWalkingTalkingCotBed

Oh my dear God OP... PLEASE RING YOUR SOLICITORS AND TAKE SELLERS TO COURT. Ask solicitors for legal advice, go back to renting and charge the sellers, assuming your solicitor advises this.

What are you talking about. OP had no legal basis for this. Seller only has to declare a formal dispute eg to the council, or in writing to the neighbour

OP it's not shit advice believe me. Been in a similar situation. It's obviously something of interest they should have declared. I'm not going to waste my time with those who disagree.... Maybe they're your sellers?

Keep a record from that very first instance. Every incident...
Maybe it was a one off.
Remember you are an adult and there is no need to feel vulnerable or afraid.
Society is full of odd people...
Ignore and live your life...

@30degreesandmeltinghere

Keep a record from that very first instance. Every incident... Maybe it was a one off. Remember you are an adult and there is no need to feel vulnerable or afraid. Society is full of odd people... Ignore and live your life...

Agree with this. Record every incident and you can have cctv for added peace of mind.

Also, speaking from experience, I've had a neighbour similar to this and you have to be the bigger (and stronger person). Don't show any form of weakness. Hold your head up high. Usually these people are crazy but it goes no further than words. You just have to ignore. They should get bored after that.....

I wonder if the non-emergency police line can tell you if anything has been logged before. I don’t know if they can, and if you did make an official complaint then you’d have to declare it when you moved.

I would be inclined to find out if it’s owned or rented, and if rented report to the agent

@JustAWalkingTalkingCotBed

Oh my dear God OP... PLEASE RING YOUR SOLICITORS AND TAKE SELLERS TO COURT. Ask solicitors for legal advice, go back to renting and charge the sellers, assuming your solicitor advises this.

If the sellers made no official complaints through you couldn't prove they suffered the same problem unfortunately- when you viewed the house what was the reason the estate agent gave for the sale? Sounds like a really stressful situation, but unless there is some kind of paper trail the above advice is not all that useful to you OP.

Perhaps go an introduce yourself to then and the other neighbours on the street? Worst case you'll get the measure of her, best case she'll be reasonable with you and you can do a big sigh of relief. It'll also give you the opportunity to sound out other neighbours/get some friendships going so you won't feel so isolated.

I can only think that you didn't ask why the house was for sale after only nine months

Absolutely keep a record of dates, times and incidents

I guess it's too late to pull out now? No harm in introducing yourselves, if you're brave enough. She sounds like a lunatic. Good luck

Can you pull out? If not and if she starts be aggressive and clear in return.