Landlord trying to deal with tenants' problem neighbours

dllive

Hi

My tenant is having issues with his neighbours. (the neighbours are property owners).

Tenant just wants a quiet life and has been a perfect tenant, but the neighbours are making lots of noise and using passive/aggressive actions. (nuisance phonecalls, letting their dogs toilet in tenants garden, very loud music at night etc).

He's spoken to the police, but the police have said they cant do anything until 'something happens'. He's asked me to get involved, which Im obviously happy to do becuase I want a happy tenant.

Ive called the police and mentioned the situation. The police have added it to the complaint log.

Is there anything else I can do? Ive reached out to the neighbours but theyve refused to be in contact.

I dont know what else I can do. This is now a nightmare situation that Im trying to find a way out from.

user1977

The council ought to be able to help with noise and/or other antisocial behaviour?

dllive

Thanks. I am just filling in the Coucnil anti-social complaint form and the last questions says "Are you as the person reporting the anti-social behaviour, willing to be named in any enquiries necessary to address this problem?"

Does that mean that the neighbours will know my details? I thought I could do this on a confidential basis. Or does this mean that my details will be passed to any relevant partner agencies that need to get involved?

dllive

Ive just clicked No to that question, just in case

Newbie_John

I think whatever action you take is a lost battle. I can't imagine these people to change their behaviour, and the increased number of council, police, notes intervention will make them more annoying in a different way.

You say the other people are property owners - so they will likely stay there longer.

Maybe find a tenant who is more accepting of the noise? Make the place somehow quieter?

dllive

Yes, I dont expect any justice to be done.
At this point I just want to sell the place.

user1977

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82076083#Comment_82076083

Probably the latter. For obvious reasons I doubt the council will want to pass on the complainers' details to the neighbours.

ButterCheese

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82076105#Comment_82076105

That's a very cowardly idea "find tenants that are more accepting of noise". They deserve to live there without suffering from antisocial behaviour, just like anyone else. I would definitely urge the tenants, or do it yourself, to keep making complaints to the council until something is done. Who cares if they know who's making the complaint? They will guess it's your tenants or you anyway. Always keep a diary of the noise/behaviour with dates and times and details. Tell them to get video if it is safe to do so, but not always a good idea with regards to how the sum may react to that

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6676969/landlord-trying-to-deal-with-tenants-problem-neighbours

Kudos to you for wanting and trying to help.

Sadly, this is the tenant's issue to sort, and there is actually little or nothing that you can do except to sympathise, support, and advise your tenant. (Obvs if the miscreant was your tenant, you'd have a direct lever to force them to behave.)

What is your tenant to do? Collect evidence, evidence, and evidence. From what you've said, there is already enough seriously unacceptable behaviour there (phone calls and dog mess?!) for the LA to act. But, can your tenant evidence this?

So, CCTV camera* - either discrete (to catch them) or covert (to deter). I'd start with the former - give them enough rope. Couple this with an evidenced request to them to stop - could simply be a letter posted through their letterbox, but record doing so, pointing out their dog mess, and for them to take action to prevent a repeat.

Ie - your tenant must demonstrate evidence of what's taken place, and shown they have asked the miscreant to stop. If it continues after this, then it is clear the neighbour is embarking on conscious anti-social behaviour.

Phone calls - keep a detailed and accurate log. What evidence does your tenant have that it's the neighbour? How do they have their number? Any messages left, anything said? Is it from a mobile or landline?

Music - ditto. Make some recordings. Keep that log. If it is genuinely unacceptable/anti-social, then again write a note, and show that it has been delivered - or speak to them, whilst having your phone surreptitiously recording.

Your tenants should not be intimidated by these folk. Go about their lives as normal, do not avoid them, do not change any behaviour. I mean, what can the neighbour actually do to them?! He ain't going to physically attack them - and it would be recorded if they did. Do not be afraid to speak to them and just ask why the music is so loud/why they allow their dog to mess/why they make phone calls - but make darned sure you are recording this. Their response will likely speak volumes.

You can buy a discrete pocket video recorder on t'Bay for £15. They are basic, but they work - I know, because I have hours of my dysfunctional neighbours' arrisolerly.

If you and your tenant want this sorted, you need to act - record record record, evidence evidence evidence. And the LA will respond. (Or you escalate it to a formal complaint).

*Shield the camera so it only covers your land. Download and secure any evidence; don't share it with anyone - it is only for use by authorised folk (police and LA) if action is needed.

Baldytyke88

""nuisance phonecalls, letting their dogs toilet in tenants garden""

You need to make sure there is a fence between the properties and a gate that closes easily.

How do they have their phone numbers? Is this a mobile, there are various ways to block unwanted calls.

Newbie_John

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82076158#Comment_82076158

I agree with you that tenant deserves to live in better conditions, but this isn't a place for them. It's also very tricky to get this situation fixed - it's other people lifestyle, annoying to others but they won't change in a week time. There was similar situation near where I live and after numerous complaints the tenants car was scratched over night - everyone knew who did it but because of lack of proof - police didn't do anything.

The more the landlord gets involved the worse life of tenant will be (not just the current one, anyone that comes next too). - they may adjust to quiet hours 22-6am but be more annoying outside of them.

Common topic on forum, never seen a situation where council involvement helped..