Removal of my neighbour's rusty satellite dish

tarves57

Wondering if anyone could suggest what I might do to either seal an old satellite dish or remove it, as it is causing water ingress to the lower corner of my bedroom wall which gets mouldy.  

The problem is, it belongs to the flat below. I've been told that the owner is in prison and will be there for a long, long time.

The council say they don't know who lives there or more likely don't want to give out his details. 

Any ideas?

Little_bit_taller

Knock on? Put a note through the letterbox?

Brie

Talk to the freeholder?

chrisw

Seal it with some silicone. It's unlikely the flat below will either notice or be bothered.

Cherryfudge

Citizens Advice may be able to advise you. The owner's name may just be on the Electoral Roll, but that wouldn't tell you where they now are.

How dependable is the information about the imprisonment? It could be coloured by the informant's own views - and prisoners often get remission. A note through the letter box possibly counts as serving notice of intent, but you may not want to be traceable.

Is there a manager of the block you could speak to?

tarves57

Thanks for the suggestions.  I don't think anyone actually lives there. The title deeds gives me right of access to his garden for maintenance purposes so I'll likely try sealing it myself. I will of course knock first but don't think I'll leave my details. I'd prefer a professional did it but probably they won't want to get involved if it's not my satellite dish. 

I wondered if it's so old that it is defunct as a satellite dish and would be just as well taken down? I read somewhere recently that Sky, for instance, aren't installing dishes any more? Or maybe I could cover the cost of installing a new well-sealed one, but that again would need the owner's permission..... 

I mean how do you contact someone that's in prison? Ask the Police?

In any case, my tenant moves out mid-March so will have a closer look then and make a decision...

GrubbyGirl_2

I think if it were me I'd probably pay for a new one to be installed but make sure it it's attached to his flat and not yours.  That way you don't get any hassle about removing his dish if he gets a better one in its place

outtatune

You've ignored the questions about the freeholder. Why?

tarves57

outtatune said:

You've ignored the questions about the freeholder. Why?

Thanks for the suggestion but I believe there are no "freeholders" as such in Scotland.

Eldi_Dos

Hope he is not watching a Sky box set when he gets early release, it could end badly.

Cherryfudge

tarves57 said:

I mean how do you contact someone that's in prison? Ask the Police?

I think you would need a name but once you know that (maybe Electoral Roll or ask a neighbour), there's Find a prisoner - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), Email a Prisoner - the hassle free way to keep in touch and probably others if you Google.