Eviction Timescales for Anti-Social Behaviour

LocoLoco

I'm so sorry you're having all these problems as well Titus, and having spoken to a few friends about it it seems to be quite common and little seems to be done.  I honestly don't understand why so little is done or why the responsibility for doing anything falls to the people being affected.

You are quite right that sofa surfing isn't an answer.  I think it will be back to private rentals for us.  I'm gutted about it but there's no way I can cope with that horror story living next door.  I've had to put up a door camera, dash cam and keep the door locked and the chain across all day.  I've never felt the need to take anything other than the usual precautions anywhere else I've ever lived.  I'll continue to ask for a transfer but everyone I've spoken to thinks it's a pretty lengthy process, even if they agree to do it.  We'll see what happens.  I feel better for having got away and I think I've found someone to have our cat on a temporary basis so that at least means we can leave at short notice if we need to.  So frustrating.  I hope you get some help with your situation at some point.

LocoLoco

Ratkin007 said:

Is it also having an impact on your son, is there any social worker that can provide support. If not already done, have a look at the Authority's allocations procedure for information on moves on management grounds, if that might be an option but depending on area, could be a long wait.

Thank you, he doesn't have a social worker at the minute but I'll make some enquiries and see if anyone can help.

LocoLoco

HampshireH said:

LocoLoco said:

Thank you Hampshire H, that's the road I'm going down, I've been trying to speak to someone about it though as I've never done it before.  Shelter so busy, as you can imagine, I've found a local solicitor and I'm waiting for them to get back to me.  My post wasn't clear, sorry, I was rambling, it's only one set of previous neighbours I've had a problem with (endlessly barking dogs), there are three sets here who have moved out due to the household we are having problems with, including the people who had our flat before.  The man's violent so whether people haven't complained because they're scared or whether they did complain and the HA didn't do enough I don't know.  I've made a written request for a move and have been sending in reports of everything that's happened plus recordings of noise but I would like to get some proper legal advice as well just to make sure I tick all the right boxes.  Thank you for the help.  We're going to stay with friends for a few days just to get some sleep and I'm trying to get friends to come here as well so I'm not on my own while we try to get a move sorted out.  I was so happy that we were given it - it's a lovely flat, great location, so much cheaper than a private rental.  I couldn't believe our luck.  And within a week I was thinking we might need to leave quite quickly.  Awful people.  Anyway, I'm rambling again, thank you.

Phew! It read like you'd had problems with last four sets of neighbours.

Your not going to be moved quickly as you will be deemed adequately housed.

Some people wait for management moves for years ago 

Did you bid on his property? Or were you just allocated it?  (Different systems different areas)

No remedy will be quick unless you go back to private rental. But I do not recommend this as you will lose your right to social housing a d may not be allowed back on the list (for having one and giving it up)

HampshireH said:

LocoLoco said:

Thank you Hampshire H, that's the road I'm going down, I've been trying to speak to someone about it though as I've never done it before.  Shelter so busy, as you can imagine, I've found a local solicitor and I'm waiting for them to get back to me.  My post wasn't clear, sorry, I was rambling, it's only one set of previous neighbours I've had a problem with (endlessly barking dogs), there are three sets here who have moved out due to the household we are having problems with, including the people who had our flat before.  The man's violent so whether people haven't complained because they're scared or whether they did complain and the HA didn't do enough I don't know.  I've made a written request for a move and have been sending in reports of everything that's happened plus recordings of noise but I would like to get some proper legal advice as well just to make sure I tick all the right boxes.  Thank you for the help.  We're going to stay with friends for a few days just to get some sleep and I'm trying to get friends to come here as well so I'm not on my own while we try to get a move sorted out.  I was so happy that we were given it - it's a lovely flat, great location, so much cheaper than a private rental.  I couldn't believe our luck.  And within a week I was thinking we might need to leave quite quickly.  Awful people.  Anyway, I'm rambling again, thank you.

Phew! It read like you'd had problems with last four sets of neighbours.

Your not going to be moved quickly as you will be deemed adequately housed.

Some people wait for management moves for years ago 

Did you bid on his property? Or were you just allocated it?  (Different systems different areas)

No remedy will be quick unless you go back to private rental. But I do not recommend this as you will lose your right to social housing a d may not be allowed back on the list (for having one and giving it up)

This is one that we bid on, we were quite low down the list so I was amazed and delighted that we were offered it.  Now I'm wondering if the other people were more local and when they realised who the neighbour was said no.  He seems to have a reputation.  I think private rental again is most likely for us, neither of us can cope with that and no-one seems to think anything is likely to happen quickly (even the solicitor needs 7 to 10 days before they can tell me whether it's a case they can take on as they're so busy at the moment).  The friend I'm staying with said she's never seen me look so awful or be in such a state and we've been friends for over twenty years, she's seen me go through some tough times before.  Cross your fingers for a lottery win for me at the weekend!  It might be the only useful solution lol.

Titus_Wadd

I like to imagine a grotty estate somewhere to where all the neighbours from hell are relocated along with the housing officers and anti-social behaviour staff who have absolutely no desire to improve people's lives*.  Or maybe there is a special circle of hell for them. 

*There's often a rare council or police officer who really will do all they can to help but the system gets in their way.  Just to keep it balanced.

Stay strong!

HampshireH

I'm being really honest here.

I don't know wha you are hoping to achieve by getting a solicitor?

There are very few legal options available to you that aren't taken by the HA.

You could get an injunction buy what for? It would be a waste of money.

The solicitor can't evict them or instigate proceedings.

The solicitor can't make a legal process happen any faster if the HA is gathering evidence and following the process 


What they can do is charge you a fortune for their time and send a letter which your neighbour will ignore 

martindow

Titus_Wadd said:

I like to imagine a grotty estate somewhere to where all the neighbours from hell are relocated along with the housing officers and anti-social behaviour staff who have absolutely no desire to improve people's lives*.  Or maybe there is a special circle of hell for them. 

*There's often a rare council or police officer who really will do all they can to help but the system gets in their way.  Just to keep it balanced.

Stay strong!

When I was in Hampshire a few years ago there was a small rural estate of about six LA houses surrounded by farmland.  Families who had a history of falling out with their neighbours in nearby towns were moved there so they could continue to squabble amongst themselves.  As far as I know no staff moved out with them.

Sadly there are some families who are unwilling to accept help and blame the neighbours who they feud with, even after several moves to give them new starts which end the same way.  I think there are some people beyond the help of anyone, Titus.

coffeehound

LocoLoco said:

This is one that we bid on, we were quite low down the list so I was amazed and delighted that we were offered it.  Now I'm wondering if the other people were more local and when they realised who the neighbour was said no.  He seems to have a reputation.  I think private rental again is most likely for us, neither of us can cope with that and no-one seems to think anything is likely to happen quickly (even the solicitor needs 7 to 10 days before they can tell me whether it's a case they can take on as they're so busy at the moment).  The friend I'm staying with said she's never seen me look so awful or be in such a state and we've been friends for over twenty years, she's seen me go through some tough times before.  Cross your fingers for a lottery win for me at the weekend!  It might be the only useful solution lol.

Sorry to hear of your situation.  I recently left an HA property due to an anti-social neighbour.  I too was very surprised to get the property in the first place -- it was advertised on Rightmove as an ordinary rental and I wasn't on any housing list.  I now believe they did this because they knew the guy was criminally insane so thought they'd get a non-vulnerable tenant in.

Based on that experience, I would honestly suggest for the sake of your own health and wellbeing just putting in your notice and moving on elsewhere as soon as possible.  Either that or hire a hitman.

Titus_Wadd

Maybe Loco and I could bump off each other's Neighbour from Hell? (Probably shouldn't arrange it on a public forum!)

LocoLoco

HampshireH said:

I'm being really honest here.

I don't know wha you are hoping to achieve by getting a solicitor?

There are very few legal options available to you that aren't taken by the HA.

You could get an injunction buy what for? It would be a waste of money.

The solicitor can't evict them or instigate proceedings.

The solicitor can't make a legal process happen any faster if the HA is gathering evidence and following the process 


What they can do is charge you a fortune for their time and send a letter which your neighbour will ignore 

Ah, yes I am starting to think like you to be honest, I'd assumed that there must be some legislation that protects vulnerable tenants (ie those with health problems/disabilities) and/or some need for HAs to be transparent about the property in the same way people selling a house have to declare certain things.  Which is why I thought a disability or housing solicitor would help and help get us moved quickly.  However, it's becoming apparent that just isn't how things are so no, I don't think anyone is going to be able to do anything (and it would have to be legal aid for us as well).  I can never quite believe that people who keep to the laws, pay their bills on time and don't cause anyone a nuisance are so unprotected in some situations but there we are.  I think moving is the most likely way forward for us (and probably private renting again).

LocoLoco

Titus_Wadd said:

I like to imagine a grotty estate somewhere to where all the neighbours from hell are relocated along with the housing officers and anti-social behaviour staff who have absolutely no desire to improve people's lives*.  Or maybe there is a special circle of hell for them. 

*There's often a rare council or police officer who really will do all they can to help but the system gets in their way.  Just to keep it balanced.

Stay strong!

I've always said they should find a way to pair up the bad tenants with the bad landlords and then they can all just be horrible together   I do think some people seem to think that if you're on a low income you're somehow immune to other people's noise, rubbish, violence and so on, and that it wouldn't bother you.  I would like the lap of luxury but given my income level, quiet and safe is good enough