Problem with Neighbour - can anything be done

woolythoughts

This is an issue with for mothers neighbours (the Smiths) which caused a philosophical argument between me and her. I’m curious as to what exactly could be done by the Smiths. This isn’t exactly academic as if there is something that could be done then I’ll pass the advice.

1.The Smiths had new neighbours move in, lets call them the Jones.
2.Jones were extremely loud during the night causing the Smiths sleep to be disrupted multiple times – shouting, screaming etc.
3.Mrs Smith politely asked the Jones to be considerate as they hadn’t slept properly for days. I believe this was done politely as Mrs Smith wouldn’t say boo to a goose and wouldn’t hurt a fly.
4.Since then, the Jones have:
a.Deliberately made noise in order to irritate the Smiths
b.Set out to post abhorrent things about Mrs Smith on various social media platforms. This is daily and is pushing Mrs Smith to the edge.
c.The Smiths are in negative equity so would find it difficult to move but don’t want to do anything that would hurt their chances if they get to breaking point

My View:

I don’t think there is anything that the Smiths can actually do.
1.They could try the council for noise nuisance but that is so hard to actually achieve anything by and would have an official neighbour dispute on record
2.I’m not actually sure whether (1) makes any difference as part of my brain is saying you now have to disclose if there is anything a potential purchaser needs to know about even if not formal dispute so they would have to disclose it anyway. I may be wrong on this.
3.In terms of the social media, they are not inciting violence or referring to any protected characteristic – just being absolutely vile. Therefore, I don’t think they are breaking any law as such since we do have freedom of speech.
4.Best I could think of is maybe trying to get the police to bring a case for harassment….. but probably a long shot.

Conclusion: The Jones are doing this because they know it upsets the Smiths and the best thing is to learn to ignore it and the Jones will get bored eventually. It’s the best way to deal with bullies.

My mothers views:

The police would have to do something and it has to be Libel at least. However I thought if you sue for libel it has to be because you’ve suffered some form of economic damage from it – in this case they haven’t. Go to the police and the council and get them to fix it.

hazyjo

How would they know what they were posting about them on social media? What sort of things? Sounds like people are being a tad too sensitive. If it's something appalling, then report to FB, twitter or whatever thingy it's on.


Buy earplugs.


Log all noise - yes, the council will do something.


Do the 'Jones' rent or own?


Explain the negative equity - do they literally owe more on their mortgage than they could sell for? How much? Could they downsize?

woolythoughts

Jones own.


The Smiths have been on SM for many years. They tried coming off but then had friends telling them what was being said.


I agree on the being too sensitive front but Mrs Smith is very sensitive.


They bought at the height of the property boom in 2007 and live in an area where prices have only recently recovered. Also on interest only.

Comms69

woolythoughts wrote: »

This is an issue with for mothers neighbours (the Smiths) which caused a philosophical argument between me and her. I’m curious as to what exactly could be done by the Smiths. This isn’t exactly academic as if there is something that could be done then I’ll pass the advice.

1.The Smiths had new neighbours move in, lets call them the Jones.
2.Jones were extremely loud during the night causing the Smiths sleep to be disrupted multiple times – shouting, screaming etc.
3.Mrs Smith politely asked the Jones to be considerate as they hadn’t slept properly for days. I believe this was done politely as Mrs Smith wouldn’t say boo to a goose and wouldn’t hurt a fly.
4.Since then, the Jones have:
a.Deliberately made noise in order to irritate the Smiths
b.Set out to post abhorrent things about Mrs Smith on various social media platforms. This is daily and is pushing Mrs Smith to the edge.
c.The Smiths are in negative equity so would find it difficult to move but don’t want to do anything that would hurt their chances if they get to breaking point

My View:

I don’t think there is anything that the Smiths can actually do.
1.They could try the council for noise nuisance but that is so hard to actually achieve anything by and would have an official neighbour dispute on record
2.I’m not actually sure whether (1) makes any difference as part of my brain is saying you now have to disclose if there is anything a potential purchaser needs to know about even if not formal dispute so they would have to disclose it anyway. I may be wrong on this.
3.In terms of the social media, they are not inciting violence or referring to any protected characteristic – just being absolutely vile. Therefore, I don’t think they are breaking any law as such since we do have freedom of speech.
4.Best I could think of is maybe trying to get the police to bring a case for harassment….. but probably a long shot.

Conclusion: The Jones are doing this because they know it upsets the Smiths and the best thing is to learn to ignore it and the Jones will get bored eventually. It’s the best way to deal with bullies.

My mothers views:

The police would have to do something and it has to be Libel at least. However I thought if you sue for libel it has to be because you’ve suffered some form of economic damage from it – in this case they haven’t. Go to the police and the council and get them to fix it.

What would the police do....


Libel? Maybe. You have to prove it's a: untrue and b: had an effect on you; not necessarily a financial loss. For example if it brought your character into disrepute.

moneyistooshorttomention

I'd get these friends to take print-offs of what these characters are saying about them on the social media.

There is an obvious "neighbourhood dispute" anyway from this I would think. Personally - I'd want the proof in writing of who started it (ie these characters) and also to be able to say to any future purchaser "They were the ones causing the problem - as you can see - and they've gone now" (assuming they do move at some point hopefully).