I made big mistake buying my house

warwick2001

RelievedSheff said:

BikingBud said:

Getting_greyer said:

Greymug said:

Getting_greyer said:

Slinky said:

MIN2_2 said:

What would happen in those countries? Have not been to either for years, and didn`t do anything particularly anti-social while there.

The Germans have excellent regulations against antisocial noise from neighbours - most of the regional governments have laws for Ruhezeit (quiet time), usually on Sundays and after 10pm. Forget thumping amplified bass noise - restrictions includes noisy garden equipment or DIY at antisocial hours. Unlike here, the police properly enforce the rules and social norms are such that it is totally unacceptable for most people to be inconsiderate or disrespectful to those living around you. As a tenant, breaking these laws will often get you evicted. I remember a group of very noisy Roma neighbours who moved here from Germany and were amazed at how many people in England will tolerate almost any disturbance.

Many of the cantons in Switzerland have even more strict bylaws, and the municipal police forces are usually good at enforcing these. Ultimately, it is all about respecting other people and being considerate of other people living around you.

This reminds me of when my Dad was doing some work at a factory in Holland in the 1980s where one of the people he was working with wanted to get away early as he had to get home to Germany to cut the grass as it would be frowned on if he did it the following day, Good Friday.

When I was posted to Germany, I'm pretty sure the families weren't allowed to wash their car or put there washing on the line on a Sunday so yeah I can absolutely see this.

Seriously?

Ah, and I thought nazi germany had ended in 1945

I may be getting mixed up with car washing in certain water table areas I dunno.  Was still a great place to live for a bit.

There are many laws in Germany that provide for a better community, car washing on the road, hanging washing out, anti-social behaviour, respect for bank holidays all leading to a much greater respect for others.  

You will also find that as there is a liability for intentional and accidental damage that most people will have personal liability insurance- "Personal liability insurance covers you in cases of accidental damage to a third party or their property. In Germany, you are legally responsible for any damages caused to others by your person. It is important to note that this is restricted not only to damages one has personally caused but also holds for damages caused by one’s children, by one’s pets and so on. You are liable for all your estate. Income and liability claims will not be waived unless the damages in question have been completely paid. Consequently, personal liability insurance is one of the most important insurances one should hold when living in or travelling to Germany."

If only!

I actually think that is a good idea. If we had something similar here then it might make people consider their actions before taking them.

Are you crazy??? People being responsible for their own actions??? Its ALWAYS the Government's/someone else's fault, everyone knows that!!!! 

MIN2_2

There are many laws in Germany that provide for a better community, car washing on the road, hanging washing out, anti-social behaviour, respect for bank holidays all leading to a much greater respect for others.  

Absolutely this is key - the point of such laws is to develop a culture of respect for those living around you and enforce responsibility for one's actions. Given the horrendous impact that anti-social neighbours have on people's health across Britain, I'm surprised there's not more pressure on politicians to enact similar laws here. Just reading these boards it is heartbreaking how the selfish 'me first' behaviour of a small minority wrecks the lives of so many, and it seems that the only real solution at the moment is for victims to upend their lives and move themselves (often also paying a steep financial penalty for the awful behaviour of their neighbours). 

Crashy_Time

Slips36 said:

Crashy_Time said:

Slips36 said:

Crashy_Time said:

HampshireH said:

Scotbot said:

RelievedSheff said:

Slips36 said:

MIN2_2 said:

As others have said really important to take positive steps and don't let the selfish behaviour of antisocial neighbours become all-consuming. First, keep up the pressure on all those causing this problem: the landlord by complaining to the council that he is in breach of his HMO licence, complain to your local councillor if you feel the council aren't doing enough, point out to the Slovak tenants that they if they only have pre-settled status they are liable to deportation if they get a criminal record. In the longer term, take positive action to make your house presentable and begin preparing steps for your next move. That way you'll have something to look forward to.

You are right that law and order is upside down in this country compared to some other countries (this antisocial behaviour would never be tolerated in places like Germany or Switzerland). Sad to see some people on this thread trying to excuse the selfish, thoughtless, and disrespectful behaviour of the tenants - unfortunately, in a high HMO area there are rarely enough owner-occupiers to enforce respectful social norms against behaviour like blaring noise around the neighbourhood at any time of the day or night. There ought to be more pressure on politicians to devise tougher legislation and penalties against anti-social neighbours as such people really make so many people's lives a misery.

Thanks for your kind words, yours is one of the best post on this anti social behaviour. One or two posters here have blamed me for objecting the anti social behaviour of the neighbours. I have reported the noise nuisance to the council through the noise app but council reluctant to act. This country has gone soft on criminals and hard on law abiding people.

You do realise that by reporting the noise to the council that you now have to inform any potential purchasers of your property that you have made a formal noise complaint against your neighbours?

So not only will you be up against having moved very quickly after purchasing you will also have a noise complaint to explain away. You could well have made it very difficult to sell your property on if you want to go down that route.

Normally I would agree with you. In this instance from reading the OPs threads it is clear this house is in a high density area with lots of HMOs and students. I think many buyers would anticipate it being noisy, it doesn't sound like a family friendly area. The OP is best being honest and say that it is a lively area and he wants somewhere where quiter. If he sells it will probably be bought by another landlord.

Possibly but makes you wonder if £305k is cheap for the area why a landlord didn't buy it a few months ago when instead the OP was successful.

The last one I can find on Rightmove sold in July 2020 was a 4 bed (loft conversion) fully refurbished for £265k. (Might be looking at the wrong Grange Avenue as seems to have had very little movement)

OP is going to at least want to make their money back for their onward sale, given how much they will spend again on fees and conveyancing.

Regardless of having to declare and its impact I junk in this case it is necessary for the OP to do so as they do still have to live there and if it is deemed a statutory nuisance then the council will eventually intervene. But they will need a lot of evidence before doing so.

While its hopeful OP could easily sell, it's also possible he could be on the market a while

Possibly because 305k isn`t cheap, or that BTL would be the last thing people would want to get into after recent events?

The last one sold on July 2020 for £265k needed modernisation and was bought by developer who put rear dormer and refurbished to high standard and was sold few months ago for£370k.  Fairly impressive returns.
I bought mine with rear dormer and in good condition with garage at the back for £305k
but with stamp duty holiday soon to end anyone’s guess what the price will be?
I was thinking of let to buy but wife not too keen as she always been risk averse.

So there should be no problem popping your house on the market and getting out of there, if the area is that sought after?

Who knows what it will fetch?
On the plus side the noisy neighbours have been remarkably quiet last few weeks. Hmm I wonder how long it will last?

Well you don`t know until you try to sell it, but if someone recently "flipped" a property for over 100k profit in the area I don`t see what the worry is about escaping this bad purchase you have made?

teachfast

MIN2_2 said:

There are many laws in Germany that provide for a better community, car washing on the road, hanging washing out, anti-social behaviour, respect for bank holidays all leading to a much greater respect for others.  

Absolutely this is key - the point of such laws is to develop a culture of respect for those living around you and enforce responsibility for one's actions. Given the horrendous impact that anti-social neighbours have on people's health across Britain, I'm surprised there's not more pressure on politicians to enact similar laws here. Just reading these boards it is heartbreaking how the selfish 'me first' behaviour of a small minority wrecks the lives of so many, and it seems that the only real solution at the moment is for victims to upend their lives and move themselves (often also paying a steep financial penalty for the awful behaviour of their neighbours). 

I agree wholeheartedly with this. 

YoungBlueEyes

I think it's the best but also the saddest of posts. (MIN2_2's posts I mean.)

I like that people really are held accountable and responsible for their actions. I like that a lot, we could do with some of that mentality here! But it's awful that people can't be trusted to do this themselves and must have laws/regulations forcing them to. 

However it would sure provide some relief for the people in the situations that are sometimes posted about on here. 'My neighbour is playing loud music and showering at 3am, what can I do?' 'You're being inconsiderate! You can't expect everyone to live by your idea of normal!! If you don't like it -MOVE!!!' etc etc. 

Dreadful behaviour, and a race to the bottom, frankly.

Crashy_Time

They shower at 3am, you shower (and hoover, and use two washing machines and a tumble dryer and play workout music) at 7am, most people get the picture unless they genuinely work shifts (don`t know who would finish at that time though who couldn`t shower at their shift before coming home?) It is a flexible learning process which the countries mentioned seem to have deemed the responsibility of the state not the individuals involved?

BikingBud

Crashy_Time said:

They shower at 3am, you shower (and hoover, and use two washing machines and a tumble dryer and play workout music) at 7am, most people get the picture unless they genuinely work shifts (don`t know who would finish at that time though who couldn`t shower at their shift before coming home?) It is a flexible learning process which the countries mentioned seem to have deemed the responsibility of the state not the individuals involved?

@YoungBlueEyes - This would be your race to the bottom then. And we wonder why people feel no shared responsibility for improving the situation. 

trance_abbey

Crashy_Time said:

They shower at 3am, you shower (and hoover, and use two washing machines and a tumble dryer and play workout music) at 7am, most people get the picture unless they genuinely work shifts (don`t know who would finish at that time though who couldn`t shower at their shift before coming home?)

Cleasrly you don't know many people who work in hospitality then, not many showers in a restaurant kitchen!

Surely it would be simpler to talk to the person, and if they have a genuine need to be making the noise then you invest in a pair of earplugs or improve your soundproofing!?

YoungBlueEyes

If I’ve understood MIN’s posts correctly you wouldn’t need to retaliate though, that’s the point. If x is happening which is clearly anti-social, you ring the police and they arrive promptly to sort it out. 

It’s a person’s responsibility to behave respectfully and decently, and if they fail to do so the state/police (?) will step in to redress the balance. 

getmore4less

trance_abbey said:

Crashy_Time said:

They shower at 3am, you shower (and hoover, and use two washing machines and a tumble dryer and play workout music) at 7am, most people get the picture unless they genuinely work shifts (don`t know who would finish at that time though who couldn`t shower at their shift before coming home?)

Cleasrly you don't know many people who work in hospitality then, not many showers in a restaurant kitchen!

Surely it would be simpler to talk to the person, and if they have a genuine need to be making the noise then you invest in a pair of earplugs or improve your soundproofing!?

Crashy live in a very different world to most people, some think its a different planet.