How do I check out the neighbours before buying?

baloooo2

We've put an offer in on a house that we like but the only hesitation we have is that it's on a south london council estate which is quite run down. It doesn't feel dangerous, but I think about 95% of it is still council owned, and almost all of the gardens are in a pretty poor state (overgrown), the state of the curtains and doors in most houses indicates the people living there are on pretty low income, and I'm starting to feel a bit put off.
To clarify, I don't think being on a low income makes you a bad person. But people who are troubled (addictions, mental health problems, etc) tend to end up on low incomes because they can't hold down employment and subsequently get dumped on undesirable estates by the council, given no support, and can end up being troublesome. The one thing I can't bear is NOISY NEIGHBOURS, and my worst nightmare is living somewhere surrounded by late night parties, drunk fights, etc.
I'm trying to spend time on the estate to suss out what it's like but I can't just stand there like an eejit all night long to check if anybody's being noisy! Is there any way to find out more about the place before we go ahead with the sale? I contacted the council to ask if there was a history of complaints about noise in the area but they were totally unhelpful.
Thanks for any thoughts

Oh_No

You could knock on the potential neighbours door to have a chat about the area and try and get a feel for them at the same time?

purple45

I'd go for several walks around the estate at different times and days to get a general feel for the place. Even if you were able to find out about the neighbours they might move, no way to be sure. The one good thing we feel about living on a terribly busy road is that the traffic noise drowns out any potential neighbour noise and is so constant you tend to forget about it after a while! I'd hate noisy neighbour issues too...good luck!

sfm82

Do you live close by currently or have a car? If I were you I would pop round at certain key times, like 8pm then 10pm then again at midnight and see what the area is like then stay around for 10 mins then leave. I would probably pop round on a week day and then a saturday night.

I lived on a south london council estate and the noisiest evenings were saturday night and thursday nights dunno if that helps just thought I'd stick some personal experience in there for ya!

TBH if I had doubts about the area I wouldn't buy.

HappyMJ

The neighbours might be nice and quiet this week but the next tenant will be noisy. There isn't much you can do. If you want peace and quiet then you'll have to move elsewhere. Here where I am every weekend all day long there are a gaggle of children in the street here...very very noisy. There is nothing that can be done to stop them even though the park is 50 metres away they'd all rather be in the street. I've nearly run them over a few times...nearly crushed their bikes left in the middle of the street with the car. Very annoying and this isn't a council estate. You get it everywhere.

paulineb_2

Its very difficult to hear noise when you are standing outside peoples homes and I do understand that the council wouldnt give you information about any anti social complaints.

I live in a council estate and I have done for a long time. Ive had problems with drink, fights, partying from my neighbours, but these days, anything starts and I call the police. I dont mean at a reasonable hour, but at 2am this morning I was woken by someone setting fireworks off outside, then the loud music started and I called police who went to their door and asked them to turn the music down

You can get difficult and noisy neighbours even on the best estates. There are many people in my area who arent troublesome, who dont have addictions and who work. Some people have bought their homes.
There are some people who are anti social but its my view that they are the minority, its certainly only been one or two families who have ever caused me problems

If the police are called continually to someones home a report goes into the council about them. Its totally your call

Im also on a low income btw and dont fight, party or cause my neighbours nuisance. One doesnt automatically go with the other.

hazyjo

Check the police.uk site to see if that road/estate is particularly high when it comes to crime. You can check previous months too.

Jx

DaftyDuck

Have a good look round. Introduce yourself to a few of the neighbours - using the fact that you are looking around as an excuse "wouldn't want to be thought lingering; I'm thinking of buying number 42, so I'm having a good look-around"... that will either get a response of "Well eff~~ and b### to yer", through to "Oh, do you want a cup of tea, it's awfully chilly out?"... most likely somewhere in between.

Go to the local shop, have a chat, after all, you are a future customer, and they should welcome you... What's the local play area like? Destroyed, or well-used.... Gardens may be less than perfect, but there's a world of difference from uncut lawn and weeds through to sofa in the drive and mystery bin liners.

Find the local PCSO... they normally know more about low-level incidents than the local bobby. Then the library. Always a source for local newspapers, but also for chatty locals.

Dog walkers... they always have time for you if you have a dog too... "wondering about local walks... is it dog friendly"... and they'll soon spill all the beans. Either that, or they'll set Tyson on you, which is nearly as much of an answer.

In many ways, if you don't feel comfortable broaching the subject with the locals, you may well have the seeds of an answer.

Oh, and I know you haven't, from your OP, but to others as well; never write off the run-down estates without reason. The fact that residents aren't flush with cash, or are not owner-occupiers does not mean that there isn't community spirit, or a soul to an area. It may just be as simple as there's not that much spare cash around.

Edit: oh, there's a source I never use, 'cos I'm a heathen, but try the local churches, and their associated clubs and the like...

baloooo2

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond. I'm trying to get round there as often as I can to see what it's like at different times. I just know that if we don't go for this place and buy somewhere else, no doubt we'll end up in a nice posh street with some real noisy !!!!!! next door!

witchy1066

http://www.police.uk/


this will give you some idea of the area

ex LA houses can be a good buy, you tend to get more sq ft for your money but do check it out carefully,

G_M

I would always knock on the neighbours' doors. Early evening is a good time.

Chat to the postie (if he's not on strike!). And the man running the corner shop.