Landlords/Letting Agents - What would you do if your tenants moved in more people? Update

EndlessStruggle

My neighbours started as a couple around 3 years ago before another male moved in, which was fine but there are now a total of 4 adults and 3-4 children living in the property on a permanent basis and I don't think the landlords or letting agents (if they manage it) know about it.

It is a 1.5 bedroom house with a small double and a small single room and the walls are paper thin.
The noise levels are atrocious with children running up and down the stairs and adults talking over each other. 

As I type another adult and 4 children have turned up with their suitcases. Maybe they are staying or maybe they are just there for a few hours.
They often have guests, sometimes for a day but sometimes for up to a week, meaning there can be 10+ people in the house at a time.

I have been umming and arring as to whether to report it as maybe they have good reason for it and unless something is actually done about it it will be more hassle for the time I remain here.

One of the males in particular is extremely passive aggressive when in the past I have asked him nicely if he could be a bit quieter/ his guest not to smoke underneath my bedroom window.

As a landlord or letting agent managing a property what would you do in this situation? Can you do anything? What do you think I should I do? 

macman

At that level of overcrowding, I'd be contacting HSE...4 adults in 1 double and 3-4 kids in one single?!
Do you know the LL?
You don't normally turn up with suitcases for 'a few hours'.

numbercruncher8

Seems like a HMO, report it to the council.
Not sure a landlord or letting agent would take a complaint from you seriously, but the council comes with repercussions.

EndlessStruggle

I know the letting agency that put the board up.

They usually also manage the properties they rent out. I feel like I should give them a chance to resolve it but if they aren't going to do anything I might as well try elsewhere.

There are a number of families in the area that they are friends/family of so they could be doing the rounds before they settle somewhere but also just as likely to be staying. 

I believe it is two couples and the children of one or both of the couples.
But yes, very overcrowded. 

I'm likely moving in 12 months but with lockdown and now working from home I am here more often with the excessive noise and see things more as I work next to the downstairs window. 

greatcrested

Localcouncil.

Over crowding.

SaintJudy

A few years ago the people in the flat underneath me were the same. Immigration came and kicked the front door in one day, turned out it was being operated as a 'halfway house' where people would come stay for a few weeks until they got jobs and somewhere else to go to. Every room was full of bunkbeds. The landlord had no idea, he was mortified.

EndlessStruggle

I don't think the landlord or letting agent have any idea. I think they are all sleeping on air mattresses, it is the only way they could fit and they have very little furniture in their lounge, no sofa etc.

The guests did stay over and he was teaching one to drive in the car park... 

They are quite clever in it as they do take them off somewhere else sometimes so my worry is that they will decide to check on them when there aren't the full set at home.

Or give them notice of a visit and they will pack up all the airbeds and disappear for the day.

DCFC79

EndlessStruggle said:

I don't think the landlord or letting agent have any idea. I think they are all sleeping on air mattresses, it is the only way they could fit and they have very little furniture in their lounge, no sofa etc.

The guests did stay over and he was teaching one to drive in the car park... 

They are quite clever in it as they do take them off somewhere else sometimes so my worry is that they will decide to check on them when there aren't the full set at home.

Or give them notice of a visit and they will pack up all the airbeds and disappear for the day.

I dont think they will get advance of a visit, they just turn unannounced.

Hannimal

I wouldn't bother with the letting agents. I'd just let the local council know.

EndlessStruggle

Update - I let the council know but they don't seem that bothered so I have done what I can. I have been asked to keep a log of activity and when I have been disturbed etc but they aren't sure if it is a HMO as not sure it isn't one big family unit. They don't seem too bothered about the number of people/welfare of the children and as I can't solidly confirm whether it is 7 or 8 I can't be trusted to confirm it is more than 2 either. I don't want them to know it was me who shopped them in due to potential backlash so most of the options they are suggesting are a no go and I think in the end they are leaning towards a stern letter to landlord, which I will support. They don't think it is the same letting agent as the one I suggested aren't listed for the property but no idea what list they have ha. I'm so buying a detached house after this! 

EndlessStruggle

Update - I think I just caught her in Friday mode as she was much more interested and helpful yesterday and I was more firm that there are 7 people living there. They have reviewed the evidence I submitted and have decided to get in touch with the landlord to let them know the situation. She said as a landlord herself she isn't insured to have children in her property or more than 2 people living in her flat so there could be issues there. I think He/She/They will probably have no idea of what is going on as the house is likely managed by the estate agent as most are around here and they rarely inspect the properties. She said that the noise is a result of the overcrowding and isn't malicious, which I agree with but their household likely doesn't fit in their definition of a HMO so they likely can't pursue that angle. Thought I would keep updated