Can/should I contact the letting agent about a neighbour?

[NameChange10thMay]

We have a near neighbour, on a different street and one house across, who stands outside at all hours of the day smoking and shouting (and I really do mean shouting) down his phone.

I believe that the property is rented through a local estate agent and they’ve been there a couple of years. The behaviour is obviously worse in the summer and with the nice few days we’ve had it’s been impossible for any of us to enjoy our outdoor space.

Is it worth having a word with the agent? I’m hoping to sell up and move away soon so speaking to the council and creating a formal dispute isn’t worth it. I had hoped they’d move on by now but these types generally don’t. Equally I know that they’re unlikely to take any notice of a complaint via the agent though.

Speaking directly isn’t an option as he’s known to have been violent with his wife and children, and the police have been involved. From what I’ve heard, the wife only leaves the house to go to work, so nobody is really friendly with her as we haven’t seen her out and about.

Aside from the annoyance aspect l I am also a bit concerned for his wife and children, but as the police are involved I’m sure they have it covered.

forget it, sell up and get on with your life. You refer to "these types", yet one could equally label you as the type who moans about tenants, not owners.

Stop fixating on causing trouble where none is warranted.

No, don’t do that, would be stupid to complain about someone smoking outdoors whilst on the phone. Go busy yourself with a real issue.

Define ‘these types’

So if this person who smokes outside was a home owner what would you do? Who would you report them to? And what do you think the agent is going to do? Some leases have a clause in them about not smoking in the house. If that is the case then by going outside the tenant is obeying their conditions. Go ahead and give the agent a good laugh and get yourself known as a snitch. In the city where I was born snitches can get a brick through their window - or worse.

The neighbour in question sounds horrendous, and also not someone that you'd want to get on the wrong side of.
Maybe contact the agent anonymously?

Exactly. Bloke smokes fag outside his house and talks on the phone. Bastard. Just something to moan about. It’s just renters people have got it in for. Shocking considering the housing market. There are going to be more and more.

I would be worried about possible retaliation from him if he suspects it’s you that reported him, also the agency are unlikely to do anything.

Sell up and be careful about the timings of your viewings because people like me would take one look at this person and drive away (unless the house is a bargain and in a convenient location).

By the way, there’s a difference between talking and shouting. Maybe in your circles there isn’t, but I can assure you that in mine, there are.

You designed this post to attract that sort of response by using the language you chose to use. Does it make you "feel good" exhibiting such prejudice?

What language are you referring to?

You will still have to report this as a dispute when selling your house, whether you had complained to the letting agent or council.

Just sell up and don’t mention it to anyone.