Neighbours (the bad kind)

tim_n

We have a private flat in a small block - the rest are owned by the local HA.

Our particular flat has an interesting 'character' next door whom in the recent past has bricked his own windows and kicked down his door (as well as graffiting it). The windows currently have wood over them and the door is in a sorry state. I've been on at the HA to get it fixed, but the tenant has to pay for it (or make some kind of payment) before the HA will replace them. It's not doing much for my potential to sell up.

To sell our house we've done everything we can - we've updated the kitchen and put in a new bathroom. Everything is currently undergoing a fresh lick of paint. The corridor is a bit rubbish as well. I've scrubbed the floors and walls, cleaned the windows etc.

We've been down the road of potential eviction and the tenant was served with a notice to evict. But the windows have been like this for close to a year now and the door in a similar situation.

What can I do before I put it on the market?

maninthestreet

So has the tenant been evicted yet or not?

tim_n

Nope the 'notice to evict' is infact a final warning apparently in which if he causes trouble again, he can be evicted. The main problem stems to his otherhalf whom has vacated in the last month or so. He's quietened down now, but the damage is still obvious to anyone whom views the property.

When I bought, I was told there was a resolved issue with the neighbour, but there was no significant damage to the property at the time. I made a bad call in buying the property, but he behaved for over a year so I didn't really have a recourse with the previous owner/solictor.

princeofpounds

Try neighbours from hell forum (nfh). They are used to enquiries of this nature.

mouseymousey99

I'd get a solicitors letter to the HA, it may well cost you £50 - £100 but should chivvy them up. Also have you contacted your local council, Mp etc?

Jowo_2

Speak to a local councillor and your local MP about the failure of the HA to do the work upfront and bill the tenant for it as the broken window effect of having a damaged property only encourages further vandalism by others in the area.

Contact the local council environmental health department to ask them what a social housing landlord should do with regards to health/safety since the tenant appears to have limited escape routes due to the boarded up windows.

Find out if there is an ombudsman for HA properties and what the procedure is to raise a complaint.

Let the HA know that you are escalating their inaction to other bodies and tell their press officer that you will raise their apathy with the local paper unless they complete the work by x date.

tim_n

Local council next to useless - Rang, emailed, posted letter, hand delivered letter - not a dickybird. Wrote higher up, got nothing. Wrote higher up, got nothing. Mentioned local paper - got telephone call, arranged a meeting and he never turned up. Apparently both email addresses, two landlines and two mobile phone numbers didn't work and local post man neglected to deliver any letters. Odd because I get calls from other local councils all the time. It's imperative to my day to day job. Slimey conservative never-do-wells.

Jowo_2

Wow - a demonstrable exercise in incompetence - local authority ombudsman, perhaps?

Keep good written records, keep copies, send stuff recorded/registered delivery or with proof of posting if you must.

neas

tim_n wrote: »

We have a private flat in a small block - the rest are owned by the local HA.

]

From this first sentence.. i knew what this thread was about . Want to offload a bad house to someone else.

Ah well alls fair in love and war and all

winniemocker

Will the local HA not buy it off you?

BitterAndTwisted

^^^^My thoughts exactly.^^^^

It might not be perfect solution but it would be a solution of kinds to get shot of the flat.