Not aware of complaints and problems

967stuart

Thanks for all the responses folks.

Yes, they are only in there to loiter. It's pretty comical when a bus pulls up and no one budges.

It's a brick built shelter with a tiled roof owned by the parish council.
It's actually rare for it to be used for someone actually wanting a bus.

The annoying thing is, there is a bus stop sign further down the road (no shelter, just a stop sign) and there is no issues at all there because there is no where for people to hang around in.

Davesnave

Kids like to hang around in places like bus shelters. I know this, because I used to do it, about 50 years ago.

Of course, in those days there were no drugs, just the odd few purple hearts and cannabis...oh, and rough cider at 1/6 (7.5p) a pint. So, there was no trouble....well, not much.

Knowing this, now I'm an OAP, the last thing I'd ever buy is a house with a bus shelter outside, regardless of what anyone did or didn't tell me.

Leaving that aside, the problem you might face in installing a Mosquito (the high frequency device mentioned) is that neighbours who can hear it might complain, or parents of troublesome youngsters might target you in abusive ways.

The Co-op where I used to live had great success in dissuading young people from gathering in their entrance, simply by playing grand opera at low volume. I don't know if this would be appropriate for your situation, but it's cheaper and less confrontational than a Mosquito.

Finally, these things can come in cycles. A trouble spot may develop and then fade from prominence because kids grow up and change their habits. Also, with cold nights on the way, things ought to be easier in winter.

TBagpuss

967stuart wrote: »

Ok, thanks.

I'm just wondering why these problems weren't found by the solicitor in the first place.
I've asked the council for a copy of all the previous complaints over the years.
If it turns out the person who sold us the house had made previous complaints and didn't mention it on the contract (there is a section on there that they signed saying there was no disputes etc) then maybe we'd have a leg to stand on.

The solicitor would have no way of finding these problems - it is not something which would show up in any searches and if the vendors didn't put anything on their Property Information Forms the solicitor would have less chance of knowing about it then you would, as they only see the same paperwork you do and unlike you, won't have seen or visited the property.

If you now have proof that the sellers had made complaints then it may be worth you getting some formal advice about whether you would have any basis to make a claim against them.

however, it may be more productive to look at ways to address the problem.

I would not suggest trying to get one of the high-pitched sound machines added. They can be heard by quite a lot of people who are not teens, they can be heard by babies and small children who can find them very distressing (do you, any of your neighbours, or any of the people who use the bus have pets or young children?) and they have been challenged as they are arguably discriminatory.

You could ask about CCTV, and perhaps speak to the parish council again about the specific issues and ways in which they might be reduced without losing the shelter altogether.

Are most of the issues at night? Is the shelter used by people catching buses during the day? Have you tried speaking to the police on a non emergency basis and asking whether they could consider patrolling the area for a shot period to see whether that reduces the issues? Is there a local neighborhood watch scheme and have you spoke to them?

System

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I remember that question on the legal questionnaire the vendor has to fill in.

On reviewing that dispute question the wording is not just to effect of "Is there a dispute?". It goes on to say "...or anything that might cause a dispute?" or words to that effect. Let me see - the truthful answer to that question would have been "There is no current dispute - BUT there are four issues that might well cause dispute - ranging from absolute certainty to pretty possible" and then list those issues.

I don't understand. Who would the disputes be with? Anonymous persons in the street? The bus company for not policing their bus stop? The Parish Council for not policing their bus shelter?

Go on give us a clue?

If you have a dispute then you must have a target for that dispute and the target must be in a position to do some remediation, I don't think random people in the street would count as there could never be any resolution.

Brock_and_Roll

This is ridiculous - kids/youths/winos/druggies and assorted riff-raff etc have been hanging out at bus shelters for generations and will do forever after.

As a buyer, did the OP not notice the bus shelter? Even if there had been no problems to date, there is always the potential for trouble with these structures. This is almost as bad as the other poster we have had recently who did not notice a busy airport next door!

System

It wasn't even a busy airport, just a small private airfield with the occasional (probably less than 5 movements a day) activity.

oystercatcher

OP must have led a sheltered life, like Davesnave I would never have considered buying a property near a bus shelter. They are obvious gathering points for troublemakers of various kinds depending on the locality, local youths, alcoholics and drug users , those in need of a public convenience ...you name it Bus shelters have many uses. However if there is a threat of removal I would expect the wrath of local OAP's who appreciate the shelter (if it is clean enough).

Is there a neighbourhood watch in existence? They may have ideas to prevent problems. It could be worth enquiring about starting one if none is in existence, we have an allocated PCSO who is interested in local issues.

This is similar to the thread where someone moved near an airport , think things through before you purchase !!

967stuart

Well, yes, maybe it was naive of us to not consider that this could even be an issue before purchase.

This place is a village... so you'd think it would be nice...
Unfortunately, this shelter seems to be the "place to be" for the down and outs.

I know 'teens will be teens'.... but unless you've had issues yourself, then I think it's hard to understand how horrible it is having gangs right outside your home drinking, screaming and shouting etc.

Saying this is like the airport post is of no help to me.
It's non comparable. I have zero issue with people using it to catch a bus (why would I...)... I do have a problem with it being used for drugs and drinking 90% of the time.

ReadingTim

If it's a small number of bored teenagers in a small village, then in a few years time they'll have grown out of such behaviour or learnt to drive and won't be hanging around bus shelters of an evening. I appreciate it's scant consolidation now, but in the grand scheme of things, it's only for a few years from (usually) puberty until they're old enough to drive or get into pubs and clubs.

In the meantime, keep calling the police and getting them moved on - local hangouts change as time passes, so perhaps they'll gravitate to somewhere they're not hassled as much...

moneyistooshorttomention

Brock_and_Roll wrote: »

This is ridiculous - kids/youths/winos/druggies and assorted riff-raff etc have been hanging out at bus shelters for generations and will do forever after.

As a buyer, did the OP not notice the bus shelter? Even if there had been no problems to date, there is always the potential for trouble with these structures. This is almost as bad as the other poster we have had recently who did not notice a busy airport next door!

Actually - the thought would never have crossed my mind either that a bus shelter outside might cause antisocial behaviour problems on my doorstep.

My only thought would have been "Oh that's convenient for me - I can catch a bus right near my front door".

So I can understand why OP wouldn't have realised that was a risk either. Add the fact that there must be a noticeable number of bus shelters that don't generate these problems and its easy for any of us to get caught out by that one.

I've been going through this thread thinking = "Right...if I am able to move again, I'll make sure I don't choose a house with a bus shelter on the doorstep". So - that's something I've learnt to add to the "Don't do it" list from this thread. I expect quite a few of us wouldn't have realised either.