Eviction Timescales for Anti-Social Behaviour

LocoLoco

Titus_Wadd said:

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

Ha, it's a nice idea but I'm quite wimpy lol.  I always find it funny when you watch some TV shows and some very ordinary every day kind of a person just happens to know a hitman or get talking to one in a pub   It would be nice if there was some way of making some people just disappear And would just like to say I am joking, this is not meant to be taken seriously

LocoLoco

martindow said:

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.

Not taking responsibility seems to be a thing - every time I hear of one of these sorts of problems the person causing the problem always seems to think they're being victimised in some way.  It's very odd.

LocoLoco

coffeehound said:

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.

Thank you, Coffee Hound, I do think that is what we need to do.  My son has multiple conditions and is very severely affected by stress, noise, lack of sleep and so on and I'm quite similar with my mental health stuff.  I've looked after us both for a long time and so far one bad night is taking a week to recover from - which means we're basically just unwell the whole time now.  I've been putting the feelers out, we've various friends who have said we can stay a few nights here and there, other friends who are going to try to stay with us when needed, someone is going to look after our cat for us so we can just up and leave as and when we need to (she'll be staying at their house so she'll be comfy and safe and I won't have to worry about loading her up each time we go).  I've applied for one place this morning, contacted an old landlord who will have a place available in a few month's time so there's that to fall back on and I've got friends keeping eyes and ears open.  The cost of two moves close together like this is pretty eye watering but I can borrow from Peter to pay Paul and friends can help with the move as well.

I'm sorry you've had similar to deal with.  I was talking to someone else yesterday who's just moved back to private renting after three years of intimidation from the man next door to her HA property.  I really don't understand why they aren't keen to get rid of the unpleasant tenants as well.  I will keep the hitman option on hold for now

Titus_Wadd

LocoLoco said:

Titus_Wadd said:

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

Ha, it's a nice idea but I'm quite wimpy lol.  I always find it funny when you watch some TV shows and some very ordinary every day kind of a person just happens to know a hitman or get talking to one in a pub   It would be nice if there was some way of making some people just disappear And would just like to say I am joking, this is not meant to be taken seriously

I'm a bit of a wimp too; though I have watched the old fella next door 3 storeys up a ladder in the rain with no hard hat and hoped for lightening or the soles of his shoes to be v slippery!  Helps keep me sane!

LocoLoco

Titus_Wadd said:

LocoLoco said:

Titus_Wadd said:

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

Ha, it's a nice idea but I'm quite wimpy lol.  I always find it funny when you watch some TV shows and some very ordinary every day kind of a person just happens to know a hitman or get talking to one in a pub   It would be nice if there was some way of making some people just disappear And would just like to say I am joking, this is not meant to be taken seriously

I'm a bit of a wimp too; though I have watched the old fella next door 3 storeys up a ladder in the rain with no hard hat and hoped for lightening or the soles of his shoes to be v slippery!  Helps keep me sane!

You have to take those moments where you can find them, don't you?!  Lol, I've hoped our one falls down the stairs or into a well or something, but no such luck yet

coffeehound

I was hoping my nutter would catch a bad case of covid as he kept having visitors round when we were in lockdown (I'm not normally nasty like that, by the way).  That's good to hear that you have lots of options there and friends to support you through the move, @LocoLoco, hope you're out of there soon.  You might find the HA will allow a shorter notice period where there are special circumstances

HampshireH

LocoLoco said:

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).

I don't think you would get legal aid for this. It doesn't meet the Legal Aid criteria as far as I can see.

https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid

Jude57

Before you give up your tenancy @LocoLoco please make sure you've tried everything to get your situation resolved. You could try speaking to your local Councillor; they often have contacts in Housing Associations but even if not, they might still be able to help. I'd also be putting a written complaint in to the senior management of your HA.

I really do feel for you. I had the neighbour from hell living above me when I first moved to my current home and it affected every part of my life. I was lucky that the so called Bedroom Tax came in, as she was on benefits and luckily for me got a transfer to a smaller flat although I have it on good authority that eviction proceedings were under way. The problem my HA had was that no one would agree to give evidence until I said I would. I'm not saying you have to do that but please don't make a rash decision.

LocoLoco

coffeehound said:

I was hoping my nutter would catch a bad case of covid as he kept having visitors round when we were in lockdown (I'm not normally nasty like that, by the way).  That's good to hear that you have lots of options there and friends to support you through the move, @LocoLoco, hope you're out of there soon.  You might find the HA will allow a shorter notice period where there are special circumstances

It does change your usual personality, I think it's the stress and the unfairness.  I don't usually pay any mind to others and there does have to be a bit of give and take but yes, I've been wishing all sorts on this person and I wouldn't normally.  I am very lucky with my friends and old landlords as well, actually, one has a property coming up early next year - I really want to be out as quickly as possible but if we're still looking by then it's an option.  We've got good support from others and a long history of good references as we've always been good tenants so that helps. It just baffles me that there isn't something in place to deal with this sort of thing quickly and prioritise the needs of the well behaved tenants but there we are.  The world is confusing

LocoLoco

HampshireH said:

LocoLoco said:

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).

I don't think you would get legal aid for this. It doesn't meet the Legal Aid criteria as far as I can see.

https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid

Yes I think you're right, it's unfortunately the conclusion I've come to as I've been trying to get help with it.  I'd just assumed that there couldn't be anyway this could happen and I'd have to be the one to move but it seems that is what's expected and it seems quite common as well?  People on here with similar stories but as I've told friends about it everyone seems to know someone this has happened to as well.  Bizarre world we live in.