Neighbour issues - update

[Deleted User]

Hi everyone

I previously posted on the site a year ago about our neighbour issues. We’d only just purchased the property and hoped that talking to the neighbour/settling in would help. But, i’m Now at the end of my tether...

After hearing the music blasting from next door, we went round and spoke with the neighbour. They agreed to turn it down and move it away from the party wall. Everything seemed ok

They now leave their dog unattended for long periods of time and we can hear it barking and howling for hours on end. We’ve been round and spoken to them but it still happens.

The guy playing the music is now starting up again (we noticed it again at the weekend just gone) and the lady at the house has started turning her TV up so we can hear it in our bedroom. Again, we’ve been around and asked that they be more considerate.

We’ve now involved the council as we’ve exhausted the “polite neighbour” route.

The house is leaving me anxious and I’m waiting for any hint of noise coming from the other side of the wall. I’m left thinking “should we just move?”

We can get more for he house than we paid a year ago but we have no additional finance. Would this be a stupid move in the current economic climate? All our bills are coming up for renewal in April so I’m tempted to just call it a day.

Anyone else been through the same thing and can offer advice?

Thanks

OUNN

Someone will be along with a more detailed response for you shortly I hope.

But food for thought, because you've now involved the council - it becomes a neighbour dispute which needs to be declared on forms. This may well put off potential purchasers when they find out, or affect the value of your property!

[Deleted User]

Thank you

I’ve been doing some reading up on this, you are quite right by food for thought! It seems if the previous owner also had the same problem and didn’t disclose this on their form that you can pursue legal action. I’m going to be looking into this tomorrow.

Thank you, that’s very helpful

Davesnave

Previous threads:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5816996/neighbour-issues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5868276/neighbour-issues-continued


What help have you received from the council thus far?

On similar threads, we often advise people to think carefully before making an official complaint. However, it's not clear how people find out about previous council involvement and vendors failing to disclose it on the TA6. (This is the question about disputes, or matters likely to cause disputes.)

The council have a duty of confidentiality. How did you find out, or are you just presuming there were official complaints before? There's a difference between having documented evidence of non-disclosure and just thinking that the previous owner must've had the same issues.

[Deleted User]

Council advised to keep a log of the noise which we have done for nearly a year. The noise appeared to be getting better but has since returned to what we had originally.

We’ve tried multiple times to be civil with them about it but it’s driving us both crazy. If we wish to pursue the case with the council they will be installing recording equipment to see what kind of noise level is being generated.

According to the research I’ve done online, if the previous owner reported the issue with the council it’s classed as a dispute and that should be disclosed on the forms. However, I can’t imagine many people would be this honest! If you’re encountering an issue surely the council would have records linked to the property to be able to back up this claim and be able to divulge this information to potential buyers? Otherwise what would be the point if stating this in the form in the first place.

I’ve put in a request with the council but am waiting for a response. I would have hoped that solicitors would be privy to this when formalising a sale anyway but I guess you just have to trust one persons word against another.

I’ll see what the council can divulge.

Thanks