Housing Association - I'm a leaseholder & they've put anti social tenant downstairs

Fire_Fox

kloana wrote: »

I only contacted the police last week over one specific incident (the attempted break-in). For the mere nuisance issues, I've been complaining anonymously to the HA alone, just in case of any repercussions. Quite half-heartedly, due to change in circumstances (imminent move), but will continue to complain. I do know that several other residents have complained, too, at least one of whom has not gone down the anonymous route. Didn't consider complaining to EH - thanks for the tip.

If you all individually go to EH and to the ASB team there should not be any repercussions because the lad cannot get back at every single one of you, and there will be a whole folder evidence for the HA to act upon. If nobody is willing to step up and take action this will likely continue and the tenant will likely have their tenancy renewed. IMO it all needs reporting not just the noise, breaking doors and setting fires are obviously a fire safety issue. Have you considered setting up a Neighbourhood Watch or Residents Association?

Other than that we cannot help, either you are willing as a community to take action or you accept the antisocial behaviour.

kloana

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Other than that we cannot help, either you are willing as a community to take action or you accept the antisocial behaviour.

I wasn't asking for help, I was empathising with the OP's predicament and informing him/her what I've done (or not done) about my own problem

I do know that one neighbour has complained much more frequently and aggressively than me (as he is in the unfortunate position of living directly beneath the problem). However, there's been other incidents that I "can't" personally complain about (have missed a few juicy fights and confrontations, due to spending a few nights per week away from my main home, mostly on weekends), but know that others have. Nevertheless, probably about time for us all to club together, as suggested.

lessonlearned

I know this might sound odd but as a quick fix at least whilst you try and work would noise cancelling headphones help.

Obviously it won't help with the antisocial behaviour etc and you will still have to carry on your campaign but they might give you a bit of peace so that you can work during the day.

I'm a very light sleeper and cannot stand extraneous noise. When I travel I always use wax ear plugs - they help too.

I've not tried the headphones myself so cannot comment on how effective they are but might be worth a try.

Have you tried any cheap soundproofing. I had to do this once with a very noisy neighbour. It was worth every penny.

Sapphire009

Thanks again to everyone and I'm praying they'll have to move out because of the kid's ages if nothing else.

This morning she accosted my husband who was minding his own business sitting on the front step having an early morning cigarette. She accused us of calling the police about her dog saying we'd said it was a Pit Bull. We've called the police but not specifically about the dog and we wouldn't say it was a Pit Bull because it isn't. When my husband said she was stopping him from working she said 'Work - you? You're paying for me and you'll be paying for my kids and I'm going to be here forever'. She then carried on taking her kids to school after calling him and 'F*** P****'.

I checked my emails to find a very terse letter from the housing association accusing him of verbally abusing/threatening and harrassing her. We have been told she suffers from a condition exacerbated by stress! She has also made various false counter-accusations against us and is now playing the racist card. A community police officer called on her this morning (she had obviously called them) and myself and my husband asked him also to speak with us on leaving.

I am getting to the end of my tether with this woman and am finding the housing assocation's attitude appalling so I will be making a complaint against them as they have made it plain from the outset that they are not concerned with our well-being.

Fire_Fox

Very sorry to hear of the escalation. This is why you need to use the proper channels, such as noise diaries and not approach her directly. Sounds like you would both be safest walking away if she approaches you. The noise stuff can be backed up by other neighbours and can even be recorded by EH. Ask the HA if the allegations can be substantiated by any neighbours or other independent parties, if not they should remove that e-mail from your file. Be careful how you lodge your complaint, you need not to look like the angry or aggressive party - IMO raise your concerns instead.

shegirl

That's an incredibly odd comment for her to make,especially after surprise at your husband working!With respect,are you sure your husband didn't say something else to her?

Keep records and follow the advice given.Don't say anything to her that will wind her up,as tempting as it is and I sure understand how tempting it is!!! (I have problems with noisy neighbours - both houses either side of mine- but am moving next week,I can't wait for me and my son to be able to sleep!!!)

Sapphire009 wrote: »

Thanks again to everyone and I'm praying they'll have to move out because of the kid's ages if nothing else.

This morning she accosted my husband who was minding his own business sitting on the front step having an early morning cigarette. She accused us of calling the police about her dog saying we'd said it was a Pit Bull. We've called the police but not specifically about the dog and we wouldn't say it was a Pit Bull because it isn't. When my husband said she was stopping him from working she said 'Work - you? You're paying for me and you'll be paying for my kids and I'm going to be here forever'. She then carried on taking her kids to school after calling him and 'F*** P****'.

I checked my emails to find a very terse letter from the housing association accusing him of verbally abusing/threatening and harrassing her. We have been told she suffers from a condition exacerbated by stress! She has also made various false counter-accusations against us and is now playing the racist card. A community police officer called on her this morning (she had obviously called them) and myself and my husband asked him also to speak with us on leaving.

I am getting to the end of my tether with this woman and am finding the housing assocation's attitude appalling so I will be making a complaint against them as they have made it plain from the outset that they are not concerned with our well-being.

AliceBanned

Hi

Sorry you are going through this. I've been there, with bells on.

If your HA are not treating you properly and not handling the case as serious, which it is if is disturbing your health and peace of mind, not to mention she is probably breaking the law even if her music is being played during the day, if it is loud and for long periods of time; go to Shelter. This is a truly amazing organisation. They have a legal team and they may or may not have resources to do a lot, but believe me once I had collected a year of evidence against my neighbour and the HA and council had done virtually nothing, especially the HA, Shelter wrote to them and it really got things moving. Basically if your HA is not protecting you as a tenant and you have evidence of poor living conditions, they are effectively making you "homeless". It is no longer your home if this woman is doing this to you. Good luck. If nothing else Shelter will give you sound advice but their presence in my case alone was enough to give the CEO of my HA the cr*ps. They were truly negligent in my case and if you feel your HA is being negligent Shelter may well take it up for/with you. They have some clout.

martinsurrey

Sapphire009 wrote: »

Thanks again to everyone and I'm praying they'll have to move out because of the kid's ages if nothing else.

This morning she accosted my husband who was minding his own business sitting on the front step having an early morning cigarette. She accused us of calling the police about her dog saying we'd said it was a Pit Bull. We've called the police but not specifically about the dog and we wouldn't say it was a Pit Bull because it isn't. When my husband said she was stopping him from working she said 'Work - you? You're paying for me and you'll be paying for my kids and I'm going to be here forever'. She then carried on taking her kids to school after calling him and 'F*** P****'.

...

I am getting to the end of my tether with this woman and am finding the housing assocation's attitude appalling so I will be making a complaint against them as they have made it plain from the outset that they are not concerned with our well-being.

Invest in one of these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-ICD-BX112-Digital-voice-recorder/dp/B004SO876S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350484383&sr=8-1

As long as you only record in a public space you're fine, no need to ask for permission to record. Learn how to turn it on without looking at it and keep it in your pocket.

Stops it being her word against yours, and you have evidence and proof.

Then see her try a wriggle out of it.

Good luck.

kimbyanne

I have lots of experience with anti-social HA neighbours / tenants. I was once told by a HA Housing Officer that many HA's try to mix "good" and "bad" neighbours together in the hope that the "good" neighbours rub off on the "bad" neighbours. However, this does not work, the "good" neighbours just complain about the "bad" neighbours and the "bad" neighbours get even more anti-social. So I would imagine your neighborhood was nice and quiet so they put her there in the hope she would settle down and you know, act like a civilized human being.

My advice, keep on at the HA and go to Environmental Health about the noise. Keep records of all noise and anti-social behavior and do not engage in any confrontation with her - people like her love confrontation.

Sapphire009

Again, thank you very much to everyone for your advice. Just for the record, no my husband did not say anything racist to her. What is so disturbing but I'm sure not unusual is that our reasonable request to keep her intolerable music levels down has been whipped up by her into a storm of false allegations and abuse and the racial card has been raised as a trump card (so she obviously believes) in an attempt to deflect attention from her behaviour and attempt in invalidate all our complaints.

I am not harping on about past decisions but I am harping on about what we are having to endure now. The housing association has failed to give us any support whatsoever and in my opinion their anti-social neighbour policy is not fit for purpose. Thankfully we do have some supportive neighbours (one of whom has also made a complaint and came with me to speak to the housing association at drop in meeting) but the others are too intimidated to say anything - after all, they are anything from 68 to 97 years old. What I would like to know is if my husband and I were less able to cope with this, or it was just one of us or an elderly person without the support of any neighbours what would they do then? It seems that if you are an individual who is tormented by anti-social behaviour that affects no-one else, or everyone else is too intimidated to say anything you are hung out to dry because the HA won't take you seriously. We've found it exceedingly stressful - not just enduring her abuse and lies but battling with a biased and uncaring HA. If I'd been on my own, let alone if I'd been much older or sick I'd be feeling suicidal by now.

We will definitely contact Shelter. Many thanks for your support.