Declaring Problems With Neighbours When Doing A Housing Association Swap?

LocoLoco

Hi,

I just wondered if anyone might have been in a similar situation to mine, as I've not dealt with anything like this before.

We were given a housing association property recently which we were over the moon about - we'd had several years of problems with neighbours in our private rental but couldn't afford to move anywhere else.  We were offered this place and snapped it up and we've been here for a fortnight.  The first week was lovely, next door neighbours were lovely and friendly, very welcoming, and everyone we spoke to seemed very nice.  Then the next door neighbour hit my parked car in the early hours of the morning.  I suspect he was drunk; the noise of him making numerous attempts to reverse into a parking space woke me up and when I looked out of the window I saw him graze my car.  The damage was very minimal (minor scrape).  He's not said anything about it and I don't feel safe enough to confront him; he had mentioned he's been in prison so I don't know if he might be violent.

He then came in late several nights over the Bank Holiday weekend, quite drunk and making a lot of noise but as it was the Bank Holiday I hoped it wasn't a regular thing and again, didn't say anything.  I've been up all night now as he's had music playing so loud I couldn't sleep from about midnight until just before 6am, along with shouting and a lot of banging and crashing about.  I've just been on the estate Facebook page and there's a post on there from the lady in the flat below saying she's had two years of this now and no-one ever does anything about it and he won't stop when asked to.

Sorry for the waffling on but I wanted to give some context.  Anyway, I can apply to go on the transfer list once our starter tenancy has ended but I wondered if I put in a complaint about him if it would then have to be declared to anyone interested in swapping, the way that you have to declare these things when you sell a house?  I don't really want to call the housing association to ask them in case that gets logged and then gets flagged up when we apply to swap.  I don't mind getting the housing association involved but don't want it to hamper our chances of moving away (particularly as it seems that this is an ongoing problem that hasn't been dealt with if the post by the lady downstairs is anything to go by).  I wondered if anyone has experience of this sort of thing and knows how it all works.

I know it isn't very nice to let someone else move in without them knowing what they might be letting themselves in for but I just can't cope with more years of constant noise.  Hopefully the next tenant would be a big bloke that next door wouldn't be quite so keen to take liberties with.

Thanks in advance to anyone who knows how these things work.

Norman_Castle

Talk to the person on the facebook page, they'll be pleased they're not alone, and talk to other neighbours who may be affected. HAs will take more notice of joint complaints.

You're dealing with a drunk. Being an ex offender doesn't mean he is violent. If he is aggressive towards you call the police.

Maskface

You don't have to declare anything to people you swap with. 

TBagpuss

I think you would need to look at the information for your specific HA to see what the requirements are for a swap and what if anything you have to disclose.

I agree with the suggestion to contact the person who has posted on facebook. It's also worth looking at the HA own rules and services.

I under to live in an Ex HA property and the neighbouring properties were still owned by the HA. When there was an issue with a neighbour I contacted the HA, thy investigated and they had systems to provide for mediation and other measures to resolve issues. It's worth looking yourself at what they can offer, and follow the procedures. 

(It may not be the case here, but it's possible that the neighbour on facebook has complained but hasn't actually ever followed through the the HA's processes)

It's also possible that it may be worth you speaking to the neighbour directly at a time when they are sober 

LocoLoco

Thank you all for the info and responses.  There's nothing specific about declaring things on the HA website and I've asked around a few friends who've done swaps and they've not had to give any info about neighbours or disputes.  I've done numerous Google searches and not come up with anything relating to it so it looks like it doesn't get mentioned.

I've spoken to the lady who complained; the HA have not been very helpful apparently and she is trying to get a swap as well.  The man in question apparently has a long list of convictions for violence.  It's all made me very anxious to be honest and I'm not really sure what I'll do next.  I think sleeping on it is probably the best idea for now.  Thanks for all the responses.

meeemee

As you have only been there for two weeks is there any rules about duration? It may take a while, he might be more co operative than you think, could be worth a chat with him, as you might be there for a few more weeks/months yet.

HampshireH

Most starter tenancies are for a year and you usually can't swap in that time anyway.

There is no legal requirement to disclose ASB. Morally is a different matter....... I guess you have to be happy lying if someone asked you.