Cannot sell house due to Hoarder next door

poppysarah

did you report the broken glass to the police? I know it's only a minor thing but it may tie in with a gang of kids running amok.

shot_down_in_flames

poppysarah wrote: »

did you report the broken glass to the police? I know it's only a minor thing but it may tie in with a gang of kids running amok.

No I havent as my hubby really does think its a force of nature (unless hes trying to keep me calm)..
If it becomes a window or more happens then deff YES I will act!
I had one incidence in my lifetime many years ago of a greenhouse pane getting cracked only and that was a cat of mine at the time who in one of her loose moments went careering round the garden
dashing thro the open greenhouse door and not seeing the invisible wall to the garden beyond! This damage is much worse than a cat or even fox would cause but there you are..

BigAunty

shot_down_in_flames wrote: »

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 ...

I didn't mean some kind of big expensive rig but admittedly, I haven't researched options for cheap cctv.

Some kind of mini camera on the inner window ledge looking out across the back garden? Perhaps concealed in a clock/cuddly toy so viewers and people outside the property can't see it? One that sends the pictures offsite to online storage? Perhaps a movement triggered one?

Having said that, if it is deliberate vandalism, perhaps its taking place in the dark (meaning you'd need a dearer infrared camera) or the person covers their face while doing it so you'd be no nearer identifying the culprit (if its not a natural event).

Davesnave

jackyann wrote: »

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.

Thank you. In this case the 'information gathering' has gone on for 3 - 4 years and there are other agencies involved too, including the medical profession, so everything has been/is well documented.

The children are in no danger that I'm aware of. If I had new information I would, of course, share it.

shot_down_in_flames

Well a slight but encouraging update to my situ - I emailed all necessary services as calls hadnt made any impact and the one that is acting the quickest is Council E.H! apparently a lady going to visit these people tomorrow morning and if she cannot gain access apparently they will put plan 'B' into action - whatever that is?
SS havent replied to my email as yet - neither has the fire service but the latter did say at time of phone conversation a week or so ago they had no previous record of fire risk for this property so just pass it on to social services - a bit short sighted really given that in event of fire the access for the rescue team would be almost impossible as both entrance and exit severely compromised due to the hoarding and put their own rescue team at risk also!

Good_Old_Bakes

Only just seen this thread but for the OP and anyone else in a similar predicament, you are barking up the wrong tree by contacting your council's Environmental Health Service - unless the accumulation is attracting vermin (food waste, soft furnishings etc..) What you need to do is contact your council's Planning Department, specifically the Planning Enforcement section if it has one. Ask for an officer to look into it as a section 215 case. Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act (1990) deals with land and property that is 'having an adverse affect on the amenity of the area' - in other words, a bloomin eyesore.

The council should write to the land owners if they feel it's bad enough and if nothing is done, could serve a s215 notice requiring the site to be cleared/tidied up. If the landowners do nothing still, the council has the authority to enter the land and carry out 'direct action' by carrying out the requirements of the notice. Remember, this is under planning law not EHA.

whitewing

Unless the occupants are getting other support, simply clearing the mess will increase the anxiety and induce more hoarding, although I guess the house may be sold by that point, if OP is very lucky.

Davesnave

Good_Old_Bakes wrote: »

The council should write to the land owners if they feel it's bad enough and if nothing is done, could serve a s215 notice requiring the site to be cleared/tidied up. If the landowners do nothing still, the council has the authority to enter the land and carry out 'direct action' by carrying out the requirements of the notice. Remember, this is under planning law not EHA.

Yes, your info is correct but....

'could serve a S215 notice'

'has the authority to...'

Weasel words.

Anyone who has seen this in action knows that it typically takes years before the council act.

I don't think the OP has years, so perhaps they are not barking up the wrong tree, as you suggest.

shot_down_in_flames

Im definately not barking up the wrong tree.
The E.H officer has assured me that they DO have the power and WILL be taking action. She spent a good half hour in my own adjoining property explaining the procedure including what action will be taken if they dont comply and the wheels are in motion. She has already made one visit next door but was refused entry (but could see plenty) so now she has formally written to the couple requesting access and giving the appointment date and time. I accept that no serious changes will happen overnight but now all the stages in the whole process have been explained to me and the approximate timespan I feel less stressed about it. I also add that the fire and rescue service have now also visited and Im currently waiting for an update regarding that.
I reduced the asking price of my own property yet again which encouraged 3 new viewings this week but in each case the feedback was lovely property but couldn't live next door to that! So no point reducing it further, just got to be patient.

Northants1979

Working in planning enforcement i would state clearly that S215 only covers land within public view. i.e front or side gardens which can be viewed from the public realm. This may not assist with respect to the issues you are having at the rear of your property.

Good luck.