Cannot sell house due to Hoarder next door

shot_down_in_flames

jayss wrote: »

Like MPs many vicars have weekly surgeries, if theirs does you should be able to speak to the vicar then, just check the church website.

That is a great idea and one I would never have thought of I will check that out. Possibly keep it in reserve though for if SS get nowhere.

shot_down_in_flames

Davesnave wrote: »

Even when social services visit, it may be difficult to get an outcome that would appear 'satisfactory' to the average person.

My next door neighbour keeps his children under such close control they are never allowed off the premises, except with a family member, which averages around once a month. They do not attend school and the home is unable to provide a suitable learning environment. Months can go by when the children do not come out of the house at all. There is no home phone, so the only people these children can ever contact are my wife and myself.

I could go on.

The point is, social services are aware of all this, and still nothing happens, so what ognum says about timescales is worth bearing in mind. This one is measured in years.

OMG! That situation doesnt bear thinking about - poor kids!

Davesnave

shot_down_in_flames wrote: »

OMG! That situation doesnt bear thinking about - poor kids!

They are very pleasant children, and not obviously unhappy in their everyday lives, which must be placed in context with the many unhappy and disturbed children I've known from a life in education.

However, life chances are being denied, or severely restricted.

shot_down_in_flames

Davesnave wrote: »

They are very pleasant children, and not obviously unhappy in their everyday lives, which must be placed in context with the many unhappy and disturbed children I've known from a life in education.

However, life chances are being denied, or severely restricted.

you do not say their age group? if still young then they no doubt will be reasonably content and happy if theve never known life any other way. Its later on when older teenagers / adults that this abnormal way of living will have detrimental effect.
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Just to get back on topic - Ive been to check my property which I do every other day only to find that virtually the whole back wall of my greenhouse is smashed! Several glass panes not just one which could have slipped by accident also the bits left in are irregular and jagged. Its possible that it could be wind damage but the weathers been pleasant here lately! Hmm
At least I know of a handy skip nearby..

jackyann

Davesnave wrote: »

Even when social services visit, it may be difficult to get an outcome that would appear 'satisfactory' to the average person.

My next door neighbour keeps his children under such close control they are never allowed off the premises, except with a family member, which averages around once a month. They do not attend school and the home is unable to provide a suitable learning environment. Months can go by when the children do not come out of the house at all. There is no home phone, so the only people these children can ever contact are my wife and myself.

I could go on.

The point is, social services are aware of all this, and still nothing happens, so what ognum says about timescales is worth bearing in mind. This one is measured in years.

As has been said, Social Services walk a very difficult line in any of these situations.
What I would like to emphasise (and this may be happening) is that even if they appear to be doing nothing (because of course they can't tell the neighbours) they are almost certainly gathering information. So in any worrying situation like this it is always worth giving them an occasional update. It may be the last piece of the jigsaw (and will definitely be A piece of the jigsaw)
They are also grateful for this kind of information, but can't show it.

BigAunty

shot_down_in_flames wrote: »

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My own thoughts also!
but that is exactly what we were told!
They cannot cold call as they call it.
It seems surreal that something as important and immediate as this has red tape surrounding it!

Again, I post this with the full admission that I am not familiar with social services rules of engagement and best practices.

I can see why they cannot perform an assessment for social services care support, for example, on people that have not requested it directly, the kinds of care services/packages that some households request when there are occupants with care/mobility needs.

But I still can't see why they cannot bear to contact the household to offer an assessment or provide information on the suppport services they could access, for example.

Perhaps you should contact your local MP to let them know of this communication issue where social services show a reluctance to contact a household that's been reported with significant care, hygiene, personal health and household safety needs.

I mean, I do understand how hard it must be if a household sabotages and resists social services intervention but not why social services would be so passive about it without even trying?

BigAunty

shot_down_in_flames wrote: »

Just to get back on topic - Ive been to check my property which I do every other day only to find that virtually the whole back wall of my greenhouse is smashed! ....

Time to install hidden cameras to rule out the possibility of a revenge attack by neighbours who feel their equilibrium (albeit desire to live in squalor) has been disturbed by you.

Follow your gut instinct - if your greenhouse has been deliberately vandalised, then it's possible that events will escalate if the council EH or SS step up their contact with them. Or if its local kiddy vandals, they will come back to destroy a bit more.

One day, a few panes smashed, the next, your entire property torched.

Check your insurance policy - what does it say about an uninhabited property? Many have clauses to invalidate unoccupied properties after x duration of non-occupation.

moneyistooshorttomention

BigAunty wrote: »

Time to install hidden cameras to rule out the possibility of a revenge attack by neighbours who feel their equilibrium (albeit desire to live in squalor) has been disturbed by you.

Follow your gut instinct - if your greenhouse has been deliberately vandalised, then it's possible that events will escalate if the council EH or SS step up their contact with them. Or if its local kiddy vandals, they will come back to destroy a bit more.

One day, a few panes smashed, the next, your entire property torched.

Check your insurance policy - what does it say about an uninhabited property? Many have clauses to invalidate unoccupied properties after x duration of non-occupation.

Seconded:T

I would have the feeling that the neighbours had just "upped the ante" in your situation.

shot_down_in_flames

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Seconded:T

I would have the feeling that the neighbours had just "upped the ante" in your situation.

Possibly as it does seem more than a coincidence but if it was malicious and as a result of this action then it could be a 3rd party acting for them as we dont live in the area and have no idea who they know. The position of the greenhouse would make it impossible for them to throw anything from their property to affect the back of it - more like the side but there are gardens backing on to my garden and Ive no idea who lives in those properties - a relative maybe! Anyway its coming down as not prepared to repair it for a new tennant / owner occupier that may not even want one!

shot_down_in_flames

BigAunty wrote: »

Time to install hidden cameras to rule out the possibility of a revenge attack by neighbours who feel their equilibrium (albeit desire to live in squalor) has been disturbed by you.

Follow your gut instinct - if your greenhouse has been deliberately vandalised, then it's possible that events will escalate if the council EH or SS step up their contact with them. Or if its local kiddy vandals, they will come back to destroy a bit more.

One day, a few panes smashed, the next, your entire property torched.

Check your insurance policy - what does it say about an uninhabited property? Many have clauses to invalidate unoccupied properties after x duration of non-occupation.

I havent got the policy to hand though will check it but I can say its a policy especially for unoccupied properties. I cant do the camera thing due to expense but also would not want to put off potential buyers because if I was to view a property that had any form of cctv it would ring warning bells as its not an upmarket property in an affluent area so Id want to know why it was there.Dont get me wrong though - while its not high value property or area it is not dodgy or a deprived area either! Just average semi in average road in an average area of the country. With un average neighbours unfortunately :-((
Thank you for your advice it is appreciated.