bad neighbours threatening my health

Lookingforcalm

I'll try and be as breif as I can,

Due to financial issues we lost our flat and mortgage, we had no where else to go so asked our local authority for help.
After much stress and tears we were placed in an emergency accommodation then our flat we are in now.
This was such a difficult time for my family but we felt lucky to get a flat just 10 mins walking from where we were before.

Now we've been here 2 years and I just want to leave, infact I want to leave now just get up and start walking and never return.
Our neighbours below us make life miserable, it doesn't help we are scared of them. They have a constant flow of people through the flat slamming doors at all hours, they mostly come round to smoke drugs and drink.
They are messy people and very unclean the man who came to service the boilers was retching after being in their flat, I'm not sure what the smell is or what there cooking down there but it's not good.

Their children are out of control, they swear and shout at us the 11 year old smokes. They have frightens my child so much he's anxous to come home and is scared when we see them out, he will never go in the parks 'incase he's see them' his school work has gone down hill and he has a constant anxiety. We are also now in a catchment for the school all these children go to and thinking about that makes me sick.

It doesn't help since living here I have had to go on anti depressants to help me cope and sleep medication.

My husband can deal with the situation much easier, he's at work from 8 until late and goes to his friends cafe until late, which is the same cafe me and my child go to after school some days.

Anyway I said I'd be breif but you get the idea so I have a solution but not sure if it can work...
We have complained to the LA about these people, once a complaint went through I got a lot of threats from them, they made our life hell and the boyfriend of the neighbour said 'he'd get me evicted like the last ones'
So I've put in reports about them but ask not to follow through on complaints....
So, I need to move. I'm a student and work 6 hours a day in my placement and attend classes. My friend has offered me a place in her house and I can afford it. My husband says no, he wants the council flat, he says in 3 years we can buy it for the discounted rate and get back on the property ladder, he said the 5 year right to buy period has given us a financial break and the opportunity won't come round again, this will help us all, everyone agrees and tells me this will be beneficial to us.

He knows me and my son are having such difficulties and has agreed if we really need to move out we can but he's worried about losing the flat and if there is a chance we will lose the flat then no we can't go.

I've tried to look into this and I think we are able to keep it as its jointly in both our names, we don't recive benefits the only benefit we get is child benefit not even tax credits.

I really want to move and get away I haven't told my child about this so he's none of the wiser but I'm afraid I've set my heart on this.

If you made it this far can anyone offer advice? I know it sounds messy and complicated and I did miss out a lot of details that might make it seem unclear but I'm really desperate.

Lord_Baltimore

Whew! Not nice .

Have you asked the LA if they can offer your family another flat? Tell them your health is suffering and that your son is being bullied.

You need another heart to heart talk with your husband; he might not realise how bad this is making you feel; you should go to the LA together.

I think if you go and live with your friend, you will disappear off the LA's radar so it would be better to ask them for somewhere else to live.

I'm sorry you're having such a tough time but you will get through it. You just need a few people to lean on for the time being and, as well as your family, there's the LA and your Doctor for starters.

And you can always come back here 24/7:).

AdrianC

You hate living in this place - so why even contemplate buying it?

Why not look for alternative rented accommodation, probably in the private sector? You're not on benefits, so there's no issues with landlords not wanting benefit-funded tenants.

lonestar1

You should be aware when using Right To Buy theres usually a requirement to live in the property for X years after purchase otherwise the discount must be repayed.

I do feel for you but its obvious that keeping your head down isnt working. You need to go all out to get them evicted or move elsewhere.


Maybe ask hubby to read this thread

bossymoo

Sounds like it would be a b@gger to sell also, you would need to declare and complaints with the neighbours when selling.

Can you try for a swap?

theartfullodger

Follow this advice, but presumably you've have written etc etc to neighbours & your landlord & reported to Police etc etc already.
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/housing_e/housing_problems_where_you_live_e/neighbour_disputes.htm

If not, in 2 years, why not, please??

Cheers!

silvercar

Have a look at what these properties sell for on the open market, what discount will you get after being there only 5 years and decide if it is worth the wait. You are talking of another 2-3 years to exercise your right to buy, plus 5 years after purchase before you can sell and keep the discount you received.

Errata

You complain but don't want anything done ?
Your OH thinks he'll get another mortgage, just like that, when you've already failed to pay a mortgage and property has been repossessed?
Your neighbours visitors are using their property as a drugs and drink den and you haven't informed the LA/police?
Your living conditions are so bad your doctor has to medicate you so you can tolerate them.
Sit down and get all this thrashed out with your OH and agree on some joint actions to take to address all the above.

fairy_lights

Why on earth is your husband even considering buying the flat, if you hate living there so much it's making you ill?
Owning it won't make the problems go away, I think your husband has got his priorities totally wrong.

TBagpuss

You have my sympathy - it sounds like an awful situation.

I agree that he last thing I would be considering would be buying the property when it is such a nightmare. *if* the problem neighbour is evicted then you can reconsider.

in the mean time, I think you will need to to report to the LA the ongoing propblems and ask them to take action.

If the neighbours threaten you report to the police as well - ask them to deal with the problem as harassment.

You will need to distinguish between the things which are harassment or breach of tenancy, such as noise, smell (if it is affecting your home) and threats, and those which are unpleasant but which don't fall into that category (the 11 year old smoking)

Can you arrange a meeting with the LA to clarify what, if any, action they can take if you are not willing to ask them to action your complaints?

Make sure that you see your GP about the health issues and that you make the LA aware that your health is being affected.

Bantex_2

If it is ruining your health, move into private.