Nuisance neighbour has more rights than us, even when he's in prison.

elvis86

DannyboyMidlands wrote: »

Don't buy a flat in an area where scumbags live.

Believe me, I wouldn't! And it's something I've asked my OH a hundred times over; "Why the HELL did you buy the place?!". But what's done is done.

PoppySarah wrote: »

He's responsible for anyone currently using his flat. If they're causing a nuisance too they need reporting.

Unfortunately it's a waiting game now, see what the police come back with RE forensics, until then we're only speculating I guess. But when we emailed the Housing Association yesterday, their attitude was that as long as the tenancy is in his name, he can permit whoever he wants to stay there whilst he's in prison.

Even if the police do pin the break-in on one of his family/friends, the Housing Association will still probably say that they can't prevent him allowing them to stay in the flat. That's his "right" as a tenant I guess...:mad:

poppysarah

elvis86 wrote: »

he can permit whoever he wants to stay there whilst he's in prison.

Even if the police do pin the break-in on one of his family/friends, the Housing Association will still probably say that they can't prevent him allowing them to stay in the flat. That's his "right" as a tenant I guess...:mad:

He can probably. But he is responsible for any trouble they cause.


I'd question whether his benefits are affected by someone being there - but that'd need the benefit snitch line number which I don't have to hand.

elvis86

poppysarah wrote: »

He can probably. But he is responsible for any trouble they cause.


I'd question whether his benefits are affected by someone being there - but that'd need the benefit snitch line number which I don't have to hand.

That's an idea, actually...

He's currently in prison, but I know that he will continue to get housing benefit (ie they'll pay his rent) whilst he's inside because he (unfortunately) only got a relatively short sentence.

poppysarah

Have you been to your local councillors and MP about it?

elvis86

poppysarah wrote: »

Have you been to your local councillors and MP about it?

I think that will be the next step. The Housing Association are following through a complicated legal procedure I guess, but I think that they could be a bit more pro-active.

For example, it must be in this guy's tenancy agreement to keep the place in good order, but they certainly don't enforce that. His window has been broken since November 2010 (looks horrible), when he smashed it and used a ladder to access the flat because he's lost his keys or something, and his garden is a dump.

We've not been back to the flat since Wednesday night, we're going to go check on it after work this evening. I just hope to god nothing else has happened.:(

poppysarah

The poor state of repair would be an issue the HA should deal with.

Grab some photos and look up now where your local councillor has a surgery or Email them!

elvis86

poppysarah wrote: »

The poor state of repair would be an issue the HA should deal with.

Grab some photos and look up now where your local councillor has a surgery or Email them!

Thanks, that's a good idea. I have to be careful that my OH doesn't think I'm "nagging" (he has a busy, stressful job and sometimes needs a little encouragement to deal with stuff like this!), but I have said to him that he needs to adopt a harder line with the Housing Association.

If they can't make their tenant fix his window and fix his garden fence, then that's their problem for being so ineffective. They should arrange the repairs anyway, and I believe that they are obliged to in respect of their other tenants.

I fail to see why OH (and his neighbours) should pay a monthly service charge to live beneath a flat with an unsightly broken window and adjacent to a garden that looks like a rubbish tip, ruining any chance he might have of selling his flat.

I'm getting angry again!:mad::mad::mad:

moneysaymoneydo

Cautiouswithmoney - There is no guarantee even with DNA they will be caught but we can hope!

BugglyB

I really feel for you, thats all. I hope everything goes ok with the eviction and you eventually get the peace you deserve!

elvis86

moneysaymoneydo wrote: »

Cautiouswithmoney - There is no guarantee even with DNA they will be caught but we can hope!

Eeeek! What makes you say that?

Presuming that they get a match (ie that the offender's DNA is on the database due to having been arrested before), surely it's an open and shut case? His blood was all over the house!

BugglyB wrote: »

I really feel for you, thats all. I hope everything goes ok with the eviction and you eventually get the peace you deserve!

Thank you for your kind words.:)