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Chirping smoke alarm from empty flat

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lisyloo
lisyloo Posts: 29,624 Forumite
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in House buying, renting & selling
Hello


I have a problem with a chirping noise every 40 seconds from the flat next door( I've stuck my ear in their letter box so I'm fairly sure about it).
I strongly suspect this is a flat battery from a smoke alarm.
I believe the flat to be empty.
This has been going on for around a fortnight, every 40 seconds and it's 24/7. I suspect it can keep going for several more weeks.


I have been in contact with the estate management (city west homes) and also my agent is asking the landlord if he has neighbours contact details but nothing yet.


My question is are there any agencies that deal with empty homes? This is Pimlico/Westminster.
or do I need to report it as a statutory nuisance to environmental health (it's not actually that loud in decibels just annoying when you become aware of it).


Any advice?
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  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
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    I'd have rung the fire brigade 2 weeks ago!
  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 29,624 Forumite
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    Do you think they will break into a home to stop the annoying noise of a flat battery?
    (it's a different noise to a smoke alarm going off).
  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
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    Find the owner's details from Land Registry.
  • teddysmum
    teddysmum Posts: 9,474 Forumite
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    The police deal with burglar alarms that don't switch off, but they are much more intrusive, being so loud.
  • rach_k
    rach_k Posts: 2,236 Forumite
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    You have my sympathy. Our next door neighbours have a smoke alarm that has beeped every 33 seconds for the last several months. Last time it happened, they left it beeping for 6 months even though I asked them 3 times (politely!) to sort it. It only stopped when I put a new battery through their letter box. At least it's not quite as loud now they've started keeping their windows closed.
  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 29,624 Forumite
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    Find the owner's details from Land Registry.


    I have thought of that, but will it give the address of the flat next door?
    I guess it might be worth paying a few quid.
  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
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    lisyloo wrote: »
    I have thought of that, but will it give the address of the flat next door?

    It might, if they're an "accidental landlord" <spit> who used to live there before moving out but keeping it as a let.

    But at least you'll have their name, to start doing some more digging.
  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 29,624 Forumite
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    Find the owner's details from Land Registry.


    I've got the freeholder from the land registry who I will try to contact.
    Is there a way to get the leaseholder?
  • Hoploz
    Hoploz Posts: 3,888 Forumite
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    Have you checked the property portals to see whether it is being advertised for sale or rent? This would identify an agent who could deal with it.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
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    lisyloo wrote: »
    I've got the freeholder from the land registry who I will try to contact.
    Is there a way to get the leaseholder?
    Yes.

    Exactly the same way as finding the freeholder.

    But download the leasehold Title instead of the freehold Title!
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