Just signed a years contract, and other resident making living here uncomfortable.

jmd4eva

Hi,

We've had a problem with one of the tenants in our building using the communal power supply to power something in his flat, which has then tripped the power, leaving us with no communal lighting, no TV signal, no intercom system.

We've spoken to the letting agents, who has told us that the guy has been told time and time again that he CANNOT use the communal power socket - so on Easter Monday, after a weekend away (and the third time the power tripped), I switched the plug off.

Cue the guy storming into the stairwell, shouting and threatening, following us up to our flat door (we are on the 3rd, he is on the 1st) and practically screaming in our faces and continued after we shut the door. He said something about holding us personally responsible for his actions if its switched off again.

Then yesterday (saturday), we went out to find the power plugged in again. We took a photo and emailed it to the letting agent - it just shows that he has no respect for the letting agent or other residents. We didn't turn it off or anything.

Then at 12:10am last night/this morning, the buzzer sounds. Got up, answered it, and it's the same guy shouting incoherantly, threatening us, using homophobic language, telling us to go outside. He kept the buzzer pressed down for about 10 minutes, then walked up, started attacking our door, hitting it, kicking it, shouting to open up. We didn't open the door so he went back downstairs and kept buzzing for another 10/15 minutes. Our neighbour in the flat opposite knocked on our door, asking what was happening, which shows that it's not only us who are affected.

We had to call the police - he was getting louder, ruder, more violent when attacking the door. They came, spoke to us to find out the problem, said they would be back and then went to speak to him. We heard raised voices, another police car arrived, but within 20 minutes both police cars had gone, and we have no idea what was said to him.

We rang the police local line today and were told the officers who dealt with it were off for the next few days - but she said either the officers had spoken to the man, or that they hadn't been able to speak to him.

So we have no idea what came of it. I'm really scared, to be honest, even walking down the stairs in case he comes out and confronts us. Our car is parked out the front, which we're scared of him doing something to.

So really, I'm just asking if the letting agents would/could do something about getting him evicted! I'm going to dig out the contract later and see if there are any specific clauses, but if there aren't, is there any obligation for the agents to do something? Would the right to peaceful enjoyment of the property cover it?

We've been here a year, and just signed fro another year. If he's still going to be living here, then it will be so uncomfortable - already I feel apprehensive of any noises I can hear at night, and walking up the stairs past his flat makes me nervous...

thanks in advance! (sorry its a long post)

poppysarah

Where's the fuses for the communal sockets?


Keep a diary.

Tell the agents in writing about what's gone on.

BitterAndTwisted

WRITE to your landlord and the agent about this tenant using the landlord's electricity supply. If you are in fear of your lives the only way you can get out of your year's tenancy is to come to a mutual agreement with your landlord IN WRITING to be released from your contract.

McKneff

Take the front of the socket off, dowse the wires with superflue, put the cover back on again.

or remove the fuse at the fuse box.

And hound the police...................

G_M

Is he a tenant or does he own his flat? If he's a tenant, who is his landlord/agent. Talk to them.

Who 'manages' the building? I don't mean your letting agent (who manage the letting of your flat only) - there is either a Freeholder or Management company for the building. Find out who by asking other residents, your agent, or looking at the Land Registry (£4). Write to them. THEY are responsible for the communal areas. And for the conduct of each flat-owner/leaseholder.

WRITE to your landlord and your letting agent.

Follow up with the police, and don't hesitate to call them again if you are threatened. Speak to other residents and urge them to do the same.

McNeff's idea of superglue is tempting, but remember other legitimate people probobly use the socket. Is there a weekly cleaner with a vacuum cleaner doing the hallway........?

jmd4eva

Not sure where the fuse box is, but can't really mess around with the socket or fuses as it is used by the cleaners...

Thing is, we've just signed a year contract (rather than the two 6 months we've previously done) because the flat is *perfect* for us - 5 minutes walk into the centre of Bournemouth, casual parking spaces, it's modern and contempory...

It's just this one guy. It usually smells of cannabis down there too, he and his girlfriend double park in our casual spaces (meaning noone can get out).

The LA have been good, chasing up problems and stuff - just have a sinking feeling that they will say there is nothing they can do about his behaviour or conduct, and that we just have to put up or get out! They manage the whole block - letting, maintenance, and all flats are let through them.

Think we will speak to other residents... maybe post a letter through doors.

poppysarah

You presumably all pay for the communal electric. You could try him at his own game and plug your own plug in.

I wouldn't mess with superglue and sockets ...

jmd4eva

poppysarah wrote: »

You presumably all pay for the communal electric. You could try him at his own game and plug your own plug in.

I wouldn't mess with superglue and sockets ...

Communal electric is all included in our rent (which has just gone up £25 a month in this new years contract). So in reality, apart from it reguarly tripping the power (meaning no hallway lights, entry system or TV signal), him using it doesn't affect us.

It's just the principle of him disrespecting the LA and all other residents when hes been told not to use it. But now, its got personal - calling us "batty boys" and threatening us, being verbally abusive, attacking our flat door.

BitterAndTwisted

If the place reeks of cannabis he's probably doing some agricultural work in that flat. The lights and whatnot use HUGE amounts of electricity and this cost will most likely be passed onto the tenants once the consumption has been noted. I would definitely tell the agents what you think he's he's up to. If he is growing in there I expect the Police know all about it by now.

jmd4eva

Clause 2.50 - not to do anything at the premises (including the playing of excessively loud music) which is a nusience or annoyance or cause damage to the premise or adjacant or adjourning premises or neighbours or might be reasonably considered to be anti social behaviour.

Found the above - might suggest that to the LA - although is it something they would in reality follow through for eviction. Thinking of ringing them tomorrow and really making them aware that there is no option for him other than to be evicted!

If the place reeks of cannabis he's probably doing some agricultural work in that flat. The lights and whatnot use HUGE amounts of electricity and this cost will most likely be passed onto the tenants once the consumption has been noted. I would definitely tell the agents what you think he's he's up to. If he is growing in there I expect the Police know all about it by now.

Well we thought that if the police were going to speak to him last night that they would have stepped into the flat, maybe looked around. If they did, and didn't find anything, then it must be someone else around, but it is usually quite prudent. But, if as the local police line woman said they didnt "find" him, then I don't know.

poppysarah

jmd4eva wrote: »

Communal electric has just gone up £25 a month in this new years contract). So in reality, apart from it reguarly tripping the power (meaning no hallway lights, entry system or TV signal), him using it doesn't affect us.

You don't thinkit's gone up £25 a month because that's part of the amount he's using?

Does entry system not work mean the main door is unlocked or is it still secure?