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Original poster

HMO for ex prisoners

32 replies

NIMBYthanks · 25/03/2023 19:46

So, I have just found out the property next door is being converted into a house of multiple occupancy for ex prisoners to be released to. No planning needed, no notice given. I only realised when I saw they had partitioned the rooms in half and were carrying in a disgusting mattress.

Does anyone have any experience of living nearby to something like this?

I want to move immediately and am considering selling via we buy any home who have today offered about £15-20k under asking price. It would still just about leave me with a big enough deposit for a new property. Not really sure what to gain from this thread other than to say AAAAGGGHHHH!!!

OP posts:
Marshmallowmountain · 25/03/2023 19:55

Sorry to hear this OP. I’m sure you’ll get lots of people saying you shouldn’t be so judgemental and they’ve done their time etc etc but I’d be selling to WBAH in your situation

painterp · 25/03/2023 20:34

So when we lived in london we ended up having a drug addict rehabilitation centre next door to us. I'm not sure what it was exactly that they did but the addicts had to pop in on a regular basis. It was absolutely fine and no problem whatsoever except one did do a crap in our alleyway on o

painterp · 25/03/2023 20:35

One one occasion. Or it could have just been someone entirely unrelated to the centre!

Treacletreacle · 25/03/2023 20:44

Same thing has happened to us. I only found out as one of the workmen gave me the heads up. I won't lie we have had abit of noise with one of the men. He clearly had mental health problems and in my opinion shouldn't have been left to just get on with it. He would shout and break things and start fights with the other men. We tried to talking to him, my other half one night out of desperation gave him £20 just to shut up. Sadly the poor guy was angry and upset as he had clearly just been dumped there they had no money or electricity and said he hadn't eaten in days. I sound rather selfish saying this but thankfully his been moved elsewhere (I do hope he is okay) and now actually the other guys cause no trouble. Hardly hear them it's like living next to anybody else really. So hopefully it will be the same. Fingers crossed. I did have the same fear as you. I have two children so was also worried who would be next door. I was angry no one informed us that it was going to happen. And also that clearly people are making a good bit on money doing this

Janedoe82 · 25/03/2023 20:49

So a bail hostel. Are there going to be workers onsite?

Greenshake · 25/03/2023 20:54

Bloody Hell, do we want people to have a chance at societal reintegration or not? This is pure NIMBYism.

gettingoldisshit · 25/03/2023 21:21

We have one locally. I would be moving asap if it was next door to me!

Nimbostratus100 · 25/03/2023 21:23

Greenshake · 25/03/2023 20:54

Bloody Hell, do we want people to have a chance at societal reintegration or not? This is pure NIMBYism.

I am sure you would feel the same @Greenshake

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 25/03/2023 21:28

I used to live about 3 doors down from one. It was no trouble.

Greenshake · 25/03/2023 21:35

@Nimbostratus100 I have been in this position before as it happens. It was absolutely fine.

Nimbostratus100 · 25/03/2023 21:42

Greenshake · 25/03/2023 21:35

@Nimbostratus100 I have been in this position before as it happens. It was absolutely fine.

well, that hopeful

Greenshake · 25/03/2023 21:45

Sorry, I don’t understand your reply.

Nimbostratus100 · 25/03/2023 21:55

Greenshake · 25/03/2023 21:45

Sorry, I don’t understand your reply.

I mean that is good, if you have actual experience, and you say it was fine, then maybe the OP can feel a bit more optimistic.

I would worry about this being next door to me, and I regularly take in homeless people into my home

I am glad you think the situation might not be as bad as it sounds

LakeTiticaca · 25/03/2023 21:55

Greenshake · 25/03/2023 20:54

Bloody Hell, do we want people to have a chance at societal reintegration or not? This is pure NIMBYism.

So you would be OK with them living next door to you then?

Greenshake · 25/03/2023 21:57

LakeTiticaca · 25/03/2023 21:55

So you would be OK with them living next door to you then?

Show quote history

Yes, as I said above. If this is a properly run establishment there should be very few problems.

NorthernDrizzle · 25/03/2023 21:59

Planning is needed for an HMO here?

AgnesX · 25/03/2023 21:59

I have a drug rehab unit down the street. Not what I'd like and there are some problems but not enough to worry about or spoil property values.

Greenshake · 25/03/2023 21:59

In fact there is supported housing for ex-offenders on a very nice residential road where I live now. The vast majority of people don’t even know it’s there and it’s well managed and discreet.

Greenshake · 25/03/2023 22:04

@Nimbostratus100 I would be far more worried about taking homeless people in to be honest, as if this HMO has any formal recognition then everyone will have been risk assessed.

Original poster
NIMBYthanks · 25/03/2023 23:08

Greenshake · 25/03/2023 20:54

Bloody Hell, do we want people to have a chance at societal reintegration or not? This is pure NIMBYism.

Yes, it is a case of NIMBY, hence the username change. And also, yes to social integration. Done properly.

This is a 3 bed semi which has had all communal rooms divided into half to make bedrooms. They are now barely big enough to fit in a single bed and a bedside cabinet. I watched removal men move in mattresses yesterday. They were stained and ripped, and they dropped them on the floor and dragged them in. I wouldn't let a dog sleep on them. There won't be anyone on site. If we want ex prisoners to feel positive and have a good chance, they deserve decent accommodation. This ain't it.

And honestly, no I don't want to be sitting in my garden with my 3 kids running around knowing what is next door..

OP posts:
Greenshake · 25/03/2023 23:29

Given the additional information in your last post, there is no way this should be proceeding without some sort of planning consent by the sounds of it. Also - how do you know there won’t be anyone on site? In fact, how do you know any of this?

Original poster
NIMBYthanks · 25/03/2023 23:36

I know because you can see the partition walls, they go from the middle of a bay window upstairs and down. I've been and peered through the windows to see for myself and I've spoken to the contractor who said what they were doing and finished with "I feel sorry for you, I wouldn't want to live next door to it." And I know that they don't need permission because I've queried it with the council who say they won't get involved.

So here I am, probably down about £30k in equity on a house I've spent years renovating that I now no longer want to live in.

OP posts:
Greenshake · 26/03/2023 00:31

There just seems to be something off with this arrangement.

EddieSteady · 26/03/2023 03:10

Greenshake · 25/03/2023 21:59

In fact there is supported housing for ex-offenders on a very nice residential road where I live now. The vast majority of people don’t even know it’s there and it’s well managed and discreet.

Same here. I only know because of my job. Walked past it for years and just thought it was a shared house.

WhoStoleMyTiddyOggy · 26/03/2023 08:54

My main worry would be are any of them released paedophiles? I wouldn't want them even looking at my dc through the bedroom windows. I don't blame you for moving.

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