Plans to Speed Up Evictions for Problem Neighbour

Author: Sarah Clark

If you’re suffering badly from the curse of the neighbours from hell, you may be able to breathe a sigh of relief very soon, due to the prospect of new legislation that will enable beleaguered residents to get their stress-inducing neighbours evicted speedily for causing a real nuisance.

If you're currently dealing with anti-social neighbours and need guidance on the steps to take, you can get help from our free Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan.

The process of getting a problem neighbour evicted has been painfully slow in the past, even when neighbours have been involved in really antisocial behaviour, and under new rules, certain ‘offences’ will automatically give the authorities greater powers to evict troublemakers, especially if the problem neighbours are indulging in illegal activities.

It’s been estimated that around 3000 tenants a year are subject to eviction proceedings because of their antisocial behaviour, but the process of actually evicting them is lengthy and can take up to seven months. This means that the behaviour carries on, making the lives of the other residents a misery and giving the troublemakers even more opportunity to wreak havoc.

Evicting problem tenants is also extremely expensive – in some complex cases ousting a 'neighbour from hell' can cost in excess of £20,000.

Examples of Antisocial Behaviour

As recently as July 2011, it was reported that an Oxford family had finally been evicted following two whole years of complaints from their neighbours about their swearing, loud music, fighting and even allegations about prostitution. In Peterborough an elderly woman claimed that she had become a prisoner in her own home for ten months after a new neighbour moved in and began a hate campaign against her.

What Are the Plans?

Housing minister Grant Shapps announced at the beginning of August 2011 that he planned to dramatically speed up court processes – some of which have been known to take over a year. To counteract this, he plans to introduce new mandatory possession powers which will allow any past convictions that a problem tenant has for serious anti-social behaviour to trigger off eviction proceedings. This should mean that the process of evicting antisocial neighbours will be sped up and give the rest of the neighbourhood a break from their antics.

Some of the offences which are likely to trigger eviction proceedings are:

Any breach of a previous anti-social behaviour injunction, if it was taken out by a social landlord (the rules won’t apply to private tenants or home-owners)
Any conviction for a serious housing-related offence – these would include criminal damage, violent behaviour against neighbours or drug dealing.
Closure under a closure order - for example in cases where a tenant has been using a property for dealing drugs.

Some of the powers being brought in to make life more bearable for residents, councils and housing associations include mandatory grounds for possession in cases of people who have an established track record of antisocial behaviour.

These specific types of anti-social behaviour order will also be recognised in both criminal and civil courts, which will cut out the need for two sets of legal proceedings against troublesome tenants who have been indulging in criminal behaviour.

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Why are The Government Taking Action Now?

The government have realised the misery that can be caused to law-abiding and considerate tenants just through the actions of an antisocial few, and have decided to level up the playing field and stop taking the rights of the people causing the problems more seriously than those who blatantly abuse their neighbours.

It’s been decided that in extreme cases, faster action is needed to avoid situations where an entire neighbourhood becomes a no-go area, and the area goes downhill, just because of the actions of one family or even one tenant.

Ministers are also keen to introduce probationary tenancies that will last for up to a year, enabling local authorities and housing associations to throw out problem tenants easily if they don’t behave properly and respect their neighbours.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Neighbours From Hell in Britain

The moves have been welcomed by pressure group Neighbours From Hell in Britain, who champion the rights of residents blighted with problem neighbours. The group said that its members had been overwhelmingly supportive of any changes in the law which gave the police, councils and courts the powers to act swiftly.

A spokesperson for the group said that individuals who were, or had been, living with problem neighbours agreed that the current legal process in place to deal with a neighbour from hell takes far too long. He added that the process didn’t support the 'victim' of the behaviour. A survey of 1000 victims revealed that half didn’t actually believe that antisocial behaviour orders made a difference, and said that noisy neighbours were the biggest problem.

Consultation

A government consultation, ‘A new mandatory power of possession for anti-social behaviour’ is available online on the Communities and local Government website. The deadline for responses to the consultation is 5pm on Thursday 27 October 2011.

The Next Step

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55 questions

Ask Problem Neighbours a Question

Mel 02/09/2023 at 4:26 am

My elderly neighbour is making my life hell. By threatening behaviour, bullying. Swearing. I can’t allow my cat to go outside. She is know attempting to get my dog took of me. She watches, times me every time I go out. To the extent that she has cut the hedge back so she can see me going out. She has also caused problems with other neighbours.
I am disabled and suffer from depression, anxiety and P.t.s.d. Due to being in a controlled abuse relationship. I live alone, and I am completely isolated. And at 04:22 on the September the 2nd. I cannot take anymore. I just want peace. The neighbour has made me so ill. I can’t carry on anymore.

Pam 19/06/2023 at 5:53 pm

I have mental health and I have been having problems with my neighbour she has verbal attacked me my man my teen daughter my mum that is 71. I can't sit in my back garden and enjoy my life without her screaming and saying she will get people to me and my family. She even had my 11 year daughter with autism crying and shaking. Called the police over five times to her but nothing even the housing is doing nothing but telling her to not say anything if we are out in our own garden but she doesn't listen to anyone. Her and her man a people she has round all smoke weed and I'm sick of it. I loved in a flat for nearly 10 years. Now I have a house with my own back garden I can't enjoy it I'm feel trapped. She acts like she runs the place. I wish she would be kicked out as my kids can live their life's afraid if they walk out the back garden she will scream at them and it's beautiful and sunny.

Butterfly12 19/06/2023 at 4:10 am

I have had a terrible time since new neighbor's cc line moved next door.
Will post about this Cukoo feed me feed me has got this small village estate in ruins. 20 years of part peaceful tenancy, ruined by a Greedy 30 year old, lying thieving mother of 2 children who r trained up to do same, ""Extra Cash "" is her Cry ! , spying listning recording me Audio 24/7, looking in windows, to see where i put things , u can hear a pill drop with the basic cheap Android / tablets amazon, cheap listining devices.
Gotta be stopped. I am a physical wreck after years of operations, to come home to all my essentials stolen & her brother in laws picture on my cctv web cam. She had him installed in here, and out as soon as she got tipped off, on my return from hospital.The council have been informed.

Loz 10/04/2023 at 4:45 pm

I have nightmare neighbours drug dealing party's all the time in 1 bed flat and she is smoking weed causing the old lady next door to feel sick and ill how can they get away with drugging a learning disabilities old lady its disgusting and they just laugh we get no sleep.its druggie and party flat

Jojo 31/07/2022 at 11:17 am

Well I’m on the other foot ,we moved in to our property 9 weeks ago and my Neighbours have complained to our council that we are having a loud music in our garden, 1 explained yes We are having music because we are doing the hide up but the music is not loud !!! And only from 5-9 pm then the work finishes what am I do about that ???

Ange 30/04/2022 at 8:46 pm

I have been living next door to the neighbour from hell for just over 2 years now. It all started after 10 days from moving in with loud music until 4am. I thought this was strange as when I bid for the property it was listed as sensitive let. I asked the council what was meant by that and was told the lady below doesn’t like noise, I thought well that’s fine because myself and my boys aren’t noisy. After that it got worse with her going outside screaming and smashing things in her garden. She then started throwing my recycling bin over, kicking my front door and spitting. She then started following me, then damaged my car, threatened to cut my throat, the list goes on. I got chatting to the neighbours and they told me she assaulted the previous tenant and the council moved them. I was shocked as they put me and my family in danger knowing what she had previously done. I just couldn’t believe the council weren’t honest with me. I’ve been signed off work for stress and prescribed sleet tablets. I feel anxious all the time and I can’t leave my home without creeping out quietly. I even have neighbours walk me to my front door when I arrive home from work. Anyway, after numerous calls to the police and council she has finally been charged with harassment and she pleaded guilty, I’m just waiting for her to be sentenced. She has also been served a possession notice by the council so just waiting for a court date for her eviction. Please, please, please do not give up. Keep fighting like I did, it will be worth it in the end.

Ola 28/04/2022 at 12:52 pm

I just moved here 3 months ago. Everyday is loud TV, loud music, screeming, arguments, party's till 5 in the morning,
I was trying everything, Council, police do nothing and they laugh in my face that police and council will do nothing
So I'm looking for new house. I have a baby 15 months, she need me happy not stressed

Hippy 25/03/2022 at 12:08 am

My neighbour assaulted two young men
I was a witness and made a statement
He was arrested and charged when released from the police station on bail
He came looking for me tried to asssult myself and my friend
Then he went back to his house taped 2 twelve inch knives to his hands and tried to smash the windows of my car to stab me
This was all on CCTV
He was arrested charged spent 3 months on remand
Convicted at crown court
Banned from returning to the street for 2 years so couldn’t enter his council house
Myself and my friend both have lifetime with no end date no contact restraining orders against
He also got 18 months suspended for two years and agreed to move
Well that was in April 2020
Almost two years on he still has the tenancy and he has not set foot in the house since
April 27 - 2020
Council are aware but are not evicting him yet they are “ facilitating “ a move
It’s the f…. Longest move in history
My MP & Counciller have been great
Bristol City council I don’t have words fit them

It’s like they want him to come back and stab me and then they might move him

Laney 20/06/2021 at 6:55 pm

I live in sheltered accommodation and my next door neighbour slams doors day and night, does her washing and vacuuming at night as well. I have logged a diary since January 2021. Mediation have also been involved and it’s still going on I feel like my local council have done nothing but skirt round things. I am tired all the time and she’s making my life hell! I’m also trying to move because nothing is happening and that is just as bad. My local Council are absolutely useless!

Existing not living 17/06/2021 at 5:10 pm

I'm disheartened after reading these threads. My neighbour has wages a 2 year campaign of hate ahainst us. She films us 24/7 with 4 different cameras. Listens to our conversations on audio recording equipment.shes been to my work place and has made our lives hell. The police and housing association have been involved which is currently taking soo long. She was given notice in March to remove her equipment yet its June and its still up. We feel like prisoners on our own home. We've consistently logged everything with police and council and this is yet to have an outcome as it seems to go from one team to another. The police have put a case of harrassment against her and we await news from the cps service. Our lives are dictated by this neighbour. Everytime we leave walk out our front door we are recorded. She has directed her cctv and audio directly at our front door. Life is hell. Can anyone out there give a glimmer of hope??

kazza72 26/04/2021 at 1:14 pm

We are having an absolute nightmare with a trashy family who live in our block. they have a dog, poor thing is never walk, her patio is full of dog mess. She has 3 primary school aged kids and a baby. They are weird too. They stare you out if they see you coming along. This weekend she had a party, called the noise team as soon as they opened at 10pm. They came by, witnessed the noise, knocked her door and told her to lower it. They were gone 10 minutes when the noise went up again. This went on until after 4am. Wasn't so bad for me as I shut my window and leave the radio on through the night so I can't hear it, but the poor lady who lives right next door, didn't get a wink of sleep, she's scared of them, they're vile pigs who do not work, no respect. Council claim things are going on behind the scenes. They only responded once me and a couple of other neighbours contacted the Councillor. Here's hoping something will come of it. She should not have the luxury of a secure tenancy. She should have to go into the private rental sector, why should she have a home for life?!

Jack 18/01/2021 at 4:30 pm

2020, 2021, This problem is still occurring, there is no such thing as a speed up of eviction. This is a plain and simple LIE! I can tell you as a council tenant that councils are still failing to do anything about antisocial behavior and much worst even the housing officers are not caring and even lying to tenants to avoid even doing anything as they consider it too much hard work to evict a tenant.

I live in a council property that is practically a house converted into 2 flats, poorly insulated and not sound proofed. I moved into to the property when an old lady lived above me through a mutual exchange from a friend as the previous property I lived was a council estate in a tower block and I moved into this lovely quiet property.

No noise upstairs, no noise from other neighbors on my street, it was quiet heaven. Then the lady upstairs passed away in Hospital. The council then had to look for a new tenant.

Few months later later, they moved in an odd looking person who was quiet at first late 40s-early 50s, then the trouble started. Loud music, loud walking about. He became aggressive when I or my next door neighbor complained about the loud music.

It got even worst when he played his music from 3am to 7am on sunday, This was final straw, I complained and he got so angry towards me and aggressive like he was on something, he assaulted me, I got the police involved. They arrived about 15 minutes later. He got aggravated towards the police who arrested him especially after he head-butted the police officer who was handcuffing him and threaten to do a dirty protest.

They believed he was under the influence of something, we got peace and quiet for 48 hours as we believe he did his dirty protest, if not he would of been released early. when I reported this to the housing officer including the diary report, he arrived said he has mental problem but he has told me that he's given him a verbal caution. I wasn't happy with this at all.

About a month later, he was upto his old trick again, playing loud music, it didn't go on until 7am though. Mostly ended around 11pm-1am. still antisocial, most cases you phone the noise nuisance team, they say they can't get out at the moment, when they did he stopped before they arrived.

Somewhere in mid 2019, I started to get suspicious when he was leaving in the early hours of the morning, 2am, 3am, 4am, repeatedly in and out. He was also having undesirable people coming to the property at unsociable hours. I came out one day to find a drug package with white residue often carried by cocaine users, I was starting to believe in the back of the mind he was dealing.

In end of year 2019 my suspicions were correct when I heard commotion in corridor from his apartment, it was his drug supplier kicking the crap out of him about using the product instead of selling it.

Early 2020 around 5am I heard banging outside, thought it was him. I heard another bang as I took my headset off as I was up

twat 08/01/2021 at 6:43 am

I live in sheltered accommodation. The resident above is constantly sobbing, contacting the control room for the association, she moves around all night on the creaking floor boards.I have never heard anyone so unhappy. This goes on every day.
am putting up with it no longer

Redwhale 05/11/2020 at 6:46 pm

5 years of absolute missery living next door to a suspected cannabis factory probably in their loft and using their gas flue as an exhaust iv been reporting this problem for over 5 years now and November is absolute hell and will be until February ..I'm a carer so these people living next door are putting everyone at risk of harm ..but it's the torture at night start up motors and sound of heavy duty pumps and fans I'm living in Cornwall and the authorities have been made well aware and have just allowed these dispeakable people to carry on their activities.. it's a form of torture and total sleep deprivation

Ginger 06/10/2020 at 3:50 am

My neighbour was evicted from a housing society 9 yrs ago. Put next door to me by private landlord. Raided twice for drug dealing but police found nothing. Too clever for the police. All the cars and people day and night have stopped since April 2018 when a drug user came to my door. Wrong door. Since 2018 we have had to put up with a machine noise every night from midnight to noon sometimes. It made us ill. We would move but my mum is 90 it has put my dad in his grave. The landlord is nowhere to be seen. It is 3.54 in the morning and my head is fit to burst with this noise. Been told it's a cannabis cutter and then its bagged up. Cant be taking anymore of this noise. Council told her to mask the noise? Shouldnt they be telling her to stop whatever? Police are iffy. After the 2nd time they were raided they came to my house to tell me I dont need to contact them any more?? Strange. I reported them. At my wits end.

Gj 27/09/2020 at 3:57 am

Where to begin... The guy above has been in the block 2 years. It's been one thing after the other. Right now I am waiting for a plumber to turn up because the guy keeps pouring fat oil Down the sink . It's 4 am in the morning. 3 days it's been going on and he didn't even report the leak . It's really bad in his flat , water everywhere. He said l will sort it and nothing. 4 days ago we had the second onslaught of maggots in the hallway where he just Chuck's them in the garden after fishing. He was found out because a neighbour outright asked him if he had done that. He was moved here from another flat because he kept having his door kicked off and people after him. Well within the first 2 months it happened here. It's now happened twice. I nearly died from severe bilateral pneumonia and I have been very sick for some time. I am waiting for an appointment from the OT to be assessed and moved closer to my family. I could go on and on but I will leave it there. If I don't get out , l will not be able to get my fitness back because the Stress of this idiot! He is a oxygen thief. I can't stand the guy but tolerate him because I want to keep the peace. Of course I mention things to him but he is an extreme narcissist and has no empathy for others

Sophie 13/08/2020 at 7:08 pm

New tenants have moved in to the house across from us. Very antisocial dangerous. Loud screaming all night till the early mornings and physical fighting during night and day. Just 2hrs ago there were a group fighting in the middle of the road and one pulled a knife so we had to call the police again, this is at 5PM in the day.

SR 18/07/2020 at 10:23 am

I have a neighbour who is constantly fixing and selling cars from his drive way.He doesnt have a licence. He thinks it's ok to rev and work on his car after 9pm.Have reported it to the houseing and noise pollution also phoned 101.He has NO Respect!!

Completely Done 15/06/2020 at 10:50 am

Had nightmare neighbours for 23 years, jumped through all the councils hoops always promising they are near eviction then nothing happens. This has ranged from abusive shouting, threats, constant parties from early evening(7/8) til Anywhere at (5/6) in the morning sometimes all weekend and I do mean from Friday evening til Monday lunchtime, had properties and cars damaged in the street from them, burning rubbish and trying to claim it a Protestant attack although they started the fire, constant screaming about being ex ira member, fighting at all hours, door slamming, things being thrown about the house, excessive drinking (making abuse worse), swearing you name it they do it, setting dogs on people (staffies). Where exactly am I now supposed to turn can’t sell my property as let’s be honest who would buy it (I wouldn’t if it was me) but desperate to get out.

Why66 08/06/2020 at 12:46 am

Neighbor below me in flat bangs like a bomb going off, council aren't getting back to us, landlord doesn't care, police don't care, I have a special needs child and also boyf moved in, the neighbor just does it at any time and can go on for ages! They can see who comes and goes out of the flats and therefore is really clever. This has been going on for over 2 years, moved in laughed and then a MASSIVE bang came from below out of the blue :( they also have shouted nasty things up to us for no reason atall or cleverly accuse us of banging when we haven't what so ever! And never retaliate :( and also shout stuff out their window when we leave the flat and also we smell what there smoking and also know there selling or buying you know what.

Beefy 22/04/2020 at 4:10 am

I wa was strangled in my sleep and dragged into a lake first down and left for dead my body is Black and Blue I was I was hospitalized for a week and the police came and arrested him for something else when my neighbour had told me what date I was in shock I couldn't believe that I was murdered in your bed ragged out and round into a lake and the best part of it he only lives up the road and he's getting out soon what do I do he comes out next month and he will finish me off is a homophobe he doesn't like gears that's why I tried to call me but you didn't succeed but my body is bad black bloke I've got photos of it I was hospitalized for a week and the place told me there was nothing wrong with me the photos that I've received I just cannot believe call Clayton how the police handled this situation which is I call attempted murder the police here I really do need to learn the last a bit Mark attempted murder and the police have not got a clue what it means and I am now in my home I'm a carer I'm out at 5 in the morning I'm back at 8 at night I get something to eat and drink and then go to bed but I never expected to be strangled in bed dragged to the lake face down left for dead. I I have Witnesses that saw the guy drag Me Out Of My Whole Body right across to the lake and faced me down into the lake and I was shocked to hear all this as obviously when I was strangled a blacked out it gets out next month for a totally different crime is a homophobe is a gay beta my life is under threat he only lives up the road and I need to get rid of them I've lived 20-years 23 years and he's only live there 2 years he's an evil evil man that needs to get out of this area because I'm physically frightened and hes going to suceed next time. And like I said I'm a carer and I have to pass his home he can easily attacked me again do the same thing again except this time he will succeed in killing me because im gay...and I'm scared what do I do and nobody not even the police are out for me they won't help I don't know why but they don't care the more interested with the holiday makers on the seafront bloody hell with the taxpayers as I speak about this for the first time my voice is shaking I am scared again and I have to go out in the morning to go to work and I know he will do this again I wish somebody would help me what can I do what can I say I'm sitting here crying shaking do you know how it feels to be attacked in your own bedroom blacked out and dragged to the lake and ithen wake up faced down in lake and also there were four to five Witnesses that told police what happened and the police won't help me because I reckon their homophobic as well
they don't like us because how can you let get a guy to get away with attempted murder it's a big crime. Can i have the family evicted they fight with a down syndrome girl who live below them and the police are always they arresting somebody in that flat is about 4 people live in a 1-bedroom f

mari888 15/02/2020 at 9:36 pm

I have been listening to neighbors for 3 years, knocking, slamming the door, not looking at the time, constantly Party, screaming, talking loudly, knocking on walls, horror. Here is a young family of black people. This is a family of three, a small child who screams all the time .... In the kitchen, in the bathroom, if she makes such a noise everything rattles, and at night, it happens until 3am .. they have a consul according to the rules you can’t make noise at night, but I endure 3 years. I wrote on the door to respect the Drig, nor knock, yesterday I said that you knock like that? he said that this child is - - - ridiculous, and today Party, again until the morning you can’t sleep ... where will I go, where should I write complaint ????

Unhappy council tenn 15/02/2020 at 3:36 pm

We had a new neighbour move in through the night. Loud music put on at 3 am and shouting scrapes of furniture and slams of doors repeatedly( I mean bunches of five at a time all night) between 11pm and 5 am. Then drug fumes seeping into our house in four rooms from theirs. Filling up our upstairs. Rendering one room unliveable. Three and a half years of constant logs to council. Councils been absolutely useless. It still going on as I type this today. The woman next door knows the tricks and is a constant game player who has retaliated. Harassed us and damaged my car and intimidated the neighbours. She gets away with everything council just ignore it hope it’s going to go away without dealing with it. The council useless absolutely useless.

SNOOPIE 10/01/2020 at 7:24 pm

Hi Flossy. I have the same problems. They play loud music constantly. I live in a terraced house with thin walls. Weekends are usually worse as they have BBQ every weekend and all are outside even if it's raining etc.
I complete the noise diaries for the council and so on, but never get a permanent solution. Things are so bad that it has made me I'll. I want to move, but in all honesty I don't see why it should be me wanting to run away.
Their landlord ignores my frequent requests for peace and quiet so am truly at wits end.

Gavin 13/12/2019 at 12:28 pm

I have neighbours that play music extremely loud for hours in day, they have been warned twice by antisocial behaviour team and once with an official letter(they stopped playing music loud for two weeks).
They seem to have a total disregard for their neighbours, I usually walk around with noise cancelling headphones, however my wife has recently given birth and now I can't use my headphones for obvious reasons.
My neighbours also have a young child(maybe 5 years old) surely the noise levels would amount to child abuse.
I am becoming desperate and even thinking to leave London because I wouldn't be able to afford another house.
What more can I do?

Spy 07/06/2019 at 5:53 pm

Neighbour watches porn. Can't see or hear it but can see him through curtains, silhouette. How do I put it. Playing with himself. What can be done asked police they said if curtains are closed and private property.there probably do nothing.

Trevor Jones 28/02/2019 at 11:02 am

I live in a council rented flat. My neighbour is chronic alcoholic. He does not wash, shave or have a hair cut. He does not take his Waste to the bin and there lots ( 20? ) black bin bags piled inside his flat. As a result his flat and the 36 flat complex is infested with lots of tiny flies. The smell is horrendous. More worrying is the fact he smokes. Residents are frighten he will drop a lit cigarette on On of his bin bags whilst he is (constantly) drunk and cause a fire. The Local Council ( Berneslia Homes) have done nothing positive to evict or stop this anti-social and dangerous behaviour. Is there anything other residents can do?

MrC 25/01/2019 at 7:11 pm

We have a neighbour who smokes repeatedly in the property below ours. The property is a non smoking property but the landlord and managing agents have done nothing about it.

He also has a lodger who has bought dogs into the property, the dogs foul in the garden and on the pavement.

There are also concerns of drug dealing from the property.

Please help.

Lass 21/01/2019 at 10:26 am

Just wanted some advice about my upstairs neighbor, he's drug dealing and I installed a CCTV camera in July and caught him buying drugs outside my flat door, downstairs the communal hallway. Am on my own and afraid, that he's doing that outside my flat door. Don't know what to do, some advice please, anyone.

Loz 27/11/2018 at 1:27 am

It started with the neighbour above. She would rearrange furniture - wooden - dragging them on her wooden floors. Had no concept of time and would get her washing machine going at night. Or noise so loud I would hear it outside and next door. So after many different unhelpful council officers have visited upstairs put in carpet in one area and agreed to put in floor covering elsewhere. After their visit the flooring was removed and they commenced deliberate noise making every evening as soon as I get in after work. They then befriended the family from hell. And this is when it got uglier. This is a family that treats my front and back gardens as a dustbin; chicken bones, waste food, used condoms, sanitary towels, tampons, clothing, shoes, underwear, hats, wine bottles, lager cans, cigarette butts, and one of those security tags! The security tag went to the local police station and one of the horrors next door (local drug dealer) disappeared for a while. Now, a broken fence has been dumped in the front garden and in the back they now have waste water flowing into my patio. Could be from their washing machine as it looks sudsy. This started 3 Sundays ago. And this family do not work and so they open and slam shut every cupboard and every drawer most nights so that my sleep is always disturbed. I'm now back on antidepressants as it is all too much. I have simply had enough.

CountryGirl 21/08/2018 at 7:54 am

I have neighbours in their 50/60's living next door to me. It took 20 years for me to be housed. They seemed incredibly noisy before I moved in. They told my mum their life story over the fence and were asking so many questions about me. So I kept myself to myself. Their was just a chain link fence separating the 2 properties, that was 4 ft high so he used to lean over it and peer into my bedroom window while I was laying in bed or getting dressed. So I managed to get a privacy panel put in but they still watch my daughter in the garden making faces at her. They stand my the fence most of the day every day, eavesdropping, pretending to do gardening and banging the fence. How much can a path be swept and how long can you water plants for, they set the world record!

They are up at all hours, cooking food, washing up, banging on the wall, arguing etc. I've had to have sound proofing put in, not that it's done much good. I banged on the wall twice at 2am during a shouting match and they hit back 30x harder and faster and really scared me.

They beat their dog as I have heard him doing so, have looked over the fence as I was concerned and saw him doing it. One day I heard it scream like a fox so reported it to the RSPCA, the response I got back was I'm going to come and smash your face in, through the wall. We had mediation and he said he can go whatever he likes as it's his dog!

He thinks he owns everything. We are both disabled, but he has no issues mowing the lawn etc or making fences. I was in a lot of pain and couldn't walk so parked in the 1 disabled bay as there were no other parking spaces. He came and told me to move my car! He's taken the garden from his other side. He's moaned so much that he wants more garden that they gave in. Now he's looking into their bedroom! He also wanted to put in parking drive right outside their bedroom window! Etiquette is not their finest point! I parked in the car park behind up so I could ask someone to help clean out the car and the next morning 2 of my tyres were slashed! Cost £180 to fix.

I've tried to water the new turf and was screamed at to turn it off as it was going into their kitchen, it wasn't. He's screamed at me at lot.

In mediation they said why don't I just approach them to tell them about these things including the dog barking at all hours, them letting their dog out onto my garden, them using my wall for their hanging baskets.... The list is endless. I said I can't as they're not approachable. They gave me their number to tell them of any issues. Well I've used that number if their dog barks at 1am, 2am or later and they do nothing. So I have to contact housing again. These are just a few examples of what they do.

Now the other neighbours behind me have started. They chat with the neighbours next door, in a car park, talking about me so loudly I can hear them. They have made up lies. My dogs bark at 5am. They live outside in th

ProblemNeighbours Editor 25/07/2018 at 11:04 am

This is awful behaviour, the police should be taking this more seriously. It might be worth your popping to Citizens' Advice for help on what other steps you can take in relation to racist or religious hate incidents

Khye Abe 22/07/2018 at 1:09 am

We have been subjected to racism & hate crime for 5 years now. From having petrol slipped through our letter box to threats of attack with hammer in front of fire service men . Racist rants in front of our then 3 year old child to accusations of running several businesses in order have us chased out, calling the police out in the middle of the night against us claiming we’re having house parties while we’re almost asleep just so the village neighbours see that we have police cars in front of our house frequently.

They also came out in front of the fire services when we smelt petrol in the house with abuse and hate calling us Muslim freaks , and they are EDL and will claw hammer us down. Despite this the police only let them off with a warning and. The council kept changing case workers and asking us to keep logs which seem to have been misplaced and never received by them .

We were forced to put cctv around our house as we kept finding nails , broken glasses on our drive in the morning. Hearing monkey sounds when we’re in the garden from their window , telling us to go back to our country ! My 3 yr old daughter eventually asking us where did we come from?
She was so traumatised when she had stomach pains she would cry silently because she feared the next door would here and bang in the wall and come banging on our front door like the past . We have a severely disabled child which makes matters worse as he falls ill quite frequently and they know this very well. They also went around the village spreading lie but villagers won’t come forward to give statement because its not their problem .

Any help . We had managed a injunction after the fire service incident but they’ve started all over again as it has been over a year . :(

Flossy 05/05/2018 at 11:40 am

My son is having trouble with his upstairs neighbour and has done for 2 years now.shouting and screaming at boyfriend at unsociable hours at night and day druggies and other people calling at unsociable hours night.
My son is in poor health with this situation and it has flared up his anxiety.He has reported this neighbour to local council and antisocial department but nothing has been done.
My son is going to court on Tuesday to see what he can do about getting this this person evicted.
Any help has to what he should ask for would be appreciated.

Soozie 20/05/2017 at 1:42 pm

My council tenent neighbour physically attacked me , she admitted to police she assaulted me, it has been ongoing for yrs then finally the attack, I now fear to leave my home will she be evicted?

Marley 29/10/2016 at 12:11 am

I live in a convete house with a flat below and above me. The guy down stairs plays music early hours in the morning before work which I don't mind at all as I believe that if you make sound then I can to. Same goes for the lady upstairs or so I was thinking. She has wood flooring in her flat and I can hear her walking, using the shower talking etc and banging early hours in the morning. Every single day. Normally 11pm when she goes to sleep and early hours in the morning. Are floor and Celin are very thin and you can hear everything.

My problem is this. I work 6 to 7 days a week every week and once or twice a month I like to have friends over for a meet up when I get a weekend off. No party or anything just friends having a chat and a few drinks. Baring in mind I work late hours ever other week. I did come to an agreement with the upstairs tenant which I stuck to, and i still stick to.
This is once every other Friday night. most times as I've been doing a lot of overtime at work i wouldn't see my friends for over a month.

I had friends around 3 weeks ago on are agreed day (friday) she is complaining now I have received a notice about noise nuance.

I can't understand this due to are agreement it's also infuriating that I've been trying to live with her everyday noise but I have one night that ends usually about 2am in the morning. And she complains?

I would like for some kind of advise on this situation as it's now becoming a problem that I've been living with her noise but I can't have a convo with a few friends for one evening after two weeks of long shift work.

We also live next to Clapham Junction station so the sound of trains is always present. I can't hear my tv at night due to this and trying to keep the level of sound down when I get home from work. But I also hear her upstairs banging and walking around even as I'm typing this she's walking around with what sounds like shoes on wood flooring and I have work be at work for 7am tomorrow morning.

Any and all advise would be greatful.

Tina Sutton 07/09/2016 at 10:51 pm

I live in a converted house whereas i have flat downstairs and neighbours upstairs. They are council flats. My neighbours are heroine addicts and deal drugs from their flat. I have been punched in the face on my doorstep for not giving them a cigarette, the noise is unbearable banging and shouting constantly into early hours. They signed a no contact order with council which meant they had to not come near me but they have broken it numerous times. The council are not doing anything at all, if anything they are scared of them. Theyve had front door bashed in by police etc. I need help but dont know where to turn

t31ry 07/07/2016 at 10:56 pm

my neigbbour moved in about 3 years ago everything was fine at firstthen out of the blue i get a letter from council telling me that i was doing diy at unreasable hours which i wasnt since then ive had police come round cost me for two skips when they made lies up about my garden .i have had 2 heart valve replacements i explained to police and council im decorating the house but i get out of breath so it takes time.if i do more than a hour or 2 .my neigbour banging on walls screaming absenites they had a go at my partner and her elderly mother .its as if nothing will stick to them and whenever i go to police or council its as if they dont beleive me last week he attacked me with a weapon which luckily i got on my phone and he is being charged but there still making my life unbearable im a home owner and they are council so im getting know help .they have had cameras put in by police when i go outside they stand behind curtains trying to get a reaction its a nightmare any advice

Belle 04/02/2016 at 11:53 am

To none and ellyphant,
Can relate to both of your experiences and am very sorry. We have had the neighbours from hell for the past ten years. They are long term tenants whereas we have a mortgage. Where to start, abuse, swearing - both adults and children, bottles thrown at fences, our children, car, their wider family and friends joining in, fences smashed, blocking us in the list goes on and on! They have mocked my problems with depression and have no thoughts for anyone except themselves and their gang of loyal fellow alcoholics. Keep hoping they will move but landlord is a greedy old tax dodger, and they are crafty!

Ellyfant 17/12/2015 at 4:42 pm

None
We had the very same problem. Vile vile neighbours. They destroyed just about anything we had including our sanity. Letters from the Council made them worse.
The only way out was to downsize property. The council found us somewhere within a week.
After 12 blissful years of peace we now have a very large annoying Roma family that has ruined our peace again!!!

worried 05/12/2015 at 8:28 pm

My elderly parents have horrible neighbours. My parents don't keep in the best of health and their neighbours who are also retired seem to get a kick out of their failing health. They mimic and ridicule them, swear and give hand gestures and call them names and cause no end of problems, captured on cctv. It goes quiet for a while then it all starts again. The community police are aware of things but when they say they will get in touch they never do yet Tonight the police appeared at my parents door. Next door had reported them for trimming the garden hedge in october to keep it tidy. The hedge is on my parents own boundary and is being trimmed by a professional tree cutter due to the fact they cannot do it themselves. Police said they had to come out because they had reported it but also said there was nothing they could do. We've all lost faith in the police. They won't come out when you need them yet they come out for silly things.

don 23/09/2015 at 7:59 pm

I am having lots of problems with a tenant next door to me.
He parties all day and nights with his druggies. screams and party daily.
This has been going on since he moved in in 2012 till 2015.
I keep reporting it to landlord but they say their hands are tied and
can't evict him due to no other witnesses.
In the mean time he's harassing me and abusing me by kicking my wall
and screaming. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

soniasky 20/09/2015 at 9:12 pm

Hi this is about my daughter she lives alone with her son a young women with a baby moved next door to her my daughter my related to her as she is also a single parent then the neighbours mother moved to the other house next to my daughter she is now is sandwiched between the two houses well the husband of the woman has come out of prison and they have been bullying my daughter the mother slapped my daughter across her face for moving her bin so she could get in the car .the police were called about the assault on my daughter had did nothing the father threatens my daughter with violence he has also threaten my grandson .my daughter has an eating disorder and cause of this is thin and they take advantage of this to bully her the police did not charge the mother for assault even though it happened in the street in front of neighbours .i have lost my trust in the law a victims rights count for nothing .she has been through the council and agency's to help her my grandson is in his last year at school but he falling behind cause he is so worried for his mum they say go to this place and that place but these people don't give a dam.

none 12/09/2015 at 6:16 pm

We completed a mutual exchange to our property but now things have become very apparent why she was so desperate to move, the first week here was great, I truly thought we had landed on our feet but things had gone downhill at a very fast rate which has set off my anxiety and panic attacks (had been doing very well for a long time)
It seems my neighbours house is the 'go to' place for all the local teenagers to gather and have loud parties that literally shake the windows drink and drugs... Thursday night it got that extreme I had to stay at my mums for the night, when we were leaving they were mimicking the 'meltdown' I had (I had a previous problem a few years ago when I complained about neighbours and they threatened to burn down my flat!)... There is no time frame as to when this happens, like just on a weekend or in the evening, it can literally start at any time of any day so I am constantly living on edge waiting...
Now for the bit that really worries me, the backlash from these people. They are really not nice people and very much have the 'I am untouchable' attitude. I had a friend round the other day and her daughter was looking through my fence into my neighbours garden, they threw a bottle at her, I have been told that they blew up a car belonging to someone that dared to go against them. I have spoken to all the appropriate authorities, I have put a complaint in against their HA, spoken to my HA ( although they say they cant enforce any action as they are not their tenants) my children's schools, environmental health, doctors and am currently waiting on the local PCSO to call back who have all been fantastic and said they can write reports if needed. I have been told my best option is to move but because the local council see us as adequately housed that is by no means a quick fix, or I have the option of another mutual exchange, but it weighs very heavy on my conscience the thought of bringing in another family to this situation, although at the same time I need to think of the safety of my family and my health. I get told 'hopefully they will be evicted' but that worries my because they know where I live! I cant even let the children out to play in the garden without me because I don't know what will happen, lets face it, they think nothing of throwing a bottle at a child and blowing up a car, what else are they capable of?! I really cant think straight to see a way out of this... Sorry for the long winded post but i literally feel trapped!

Shambles 04/09/2015 at 5:55 pm

Hi, we've had a neighbour who's had numerous loud parties, doors slamming, strong smell of cannabis, climbing balconies and just recently involved in an incident with a gun.

We've reported this, however the housing association say they need other neighbours to report the incidents too. Despite giving them a police incident number. Is this correct, I would have thought something as serious as a firearm would result in a quick eviction... Any advice?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 26/08/2015 at 10:08 am

Maybe try the police too? Call them on the non emergency 101 number.

bird 23/08/2015 at 4:54 pm

For the past three years I have lived next door to a drug addict. He smokes weed morning noon and night which pours through my home, when my kids smell this they start acting crazy through intimidation. My neighbour also gets funny ideas into his head and gets us 'back' for stuff he thinks we are doing. Him and his partner can't seem to understand the effects that their illegal activities do to my kids. I've told the council and kept logs but nothings being done about them

ProblemNeighbours Editor 17/08/2015 at 10:24 am

Unfortunately, the police are really your only option here, if moving elsewhere is not a feasible choice.

Cat 16/08/2015 at 2:21 pm

Hi, I've got 3 chronic health conditions; endometriosis, Crohn's disease and Lupus, so I need a relaxed and calm atmosphere to avoid a flare. The flat I live in I fled to while leaving an 8 year abusive relationship and I've been here 2.5 years now. About a year ago a young single lad moved into the flat next door to me and all was alright for a bit, some friends came round regularly but were polite to me (and still are to my face). But quickly things started to change, his friends were round at all hours making noise in the communal hall and buzzing my intercom in the wee hours, waking me up. Then people started coming round looking for him saying he'd stolen and damaged property, various people have smashed nearly all of his windows and they knock my door asking about him also. He's had underage people in his fiat drinking and taking drugs, I've had people asking about him dealing drugs. Then my flat got broken into a few months ago and I'm terrified. Neither he nor his 'guests' have ever directed any animosity towards me, in fact they're quite nice and polite to me, but given their overall demeanour and criminal behaviour I find that more concerning (I have a criminology degree). I'm mostly concerned that someone hunting him down may target my flat thinking it's his and myself or my cats could be hurt, or I could become a target if I reported his behaviour, I can't have police at my door as he knows them all (a huge red flag if his police interactions)!!

FearFutility 14/07/2015 at 3:30 am

"As recently as July 2011, it was reported that an Oxford family had finally been evicted following two whole years of complaints from their neighbours about their swearing, loud music, fighting" - After over three years of living directly beneath a couple who would argue and smash things around at any given hour, door slam, blast out music so loudly I couldn't hear my laptop with my ear right next to it, and who more than once intimidated me when I asked them politely to try to show some consideration, 2 years would seem miraculously fast here. Though they did finally move out - To be replaced with a much more quiet, dangerously aggressive alcoholic. I dare not get my hopes up this legislation makes it into law, and my housing association (for the first time in memory) do something to improve the quaility of life for the residents here.

patty 29/06/2015 at 9:38 pm

I live in Oklahoma in a apartment. The down stairs neighbor harasses me on a daily basis. I'm going through a workman comp case I just had one of 3 surgeries needed. She is addicted to pain pills 2 days after knee surgery she attacked me. I have called police a bunch. And told the manager a lot. Please help asap

Mramerica69 06/06/2015 at 10:29 pm

I have a women beating beer drinking glass smashing wall punching new nneighouur above me for 8 days so far of hell. I have crohns so I cannot be put under stress.have foned police and they have been out I've also been advised to tell my housing officer and get a report pack

none 19/03/2015 at 1:19 pm

i have live in absolute hell for at least 11years plus i have been so let down by stoccport homes with dealing with antisocial behaviour my health work and everything is at a all time low . im certain that they do not care as they tell me things and do not do them im almost certain because of me complaining justly they hope it will die down which it has not i am a decent person and they know about my health but still let the problems happen if i wrote the fulll story here no one would beleive me they do not even contact my lodger to verify things they are slowly killing me

Saffy 19/01/2015 at 4:18 pm

Hi: - I am writing on behalf of my husband and myself with regards to a problem that has been going on for over 2 years in relation to a nuisance neighbour. It all started in 2012 when we were moving into a ground floor 2 bedroom flat, problem after problem occurred before we even moved in, the whole place was flooded, and brand new carpets ruined. The Housing Association had all their team up trying to locate the problem, no leaks were found, and the conclusion was that a hosepipe had been pushed through the letter box resulting in total damage / ruin to the carpets. Two days after moving into the flat, I went out to the car and found that it had been keyed, two lines all round the doors and body work, tyres slashed, resulting in having to buy 4 new tyres. A few days later we complained to the neighbour above about the incessant noise, thumping, bumping, banging, his reply to this was abusive language on several occasions. After reporting him to the Anti Social Behaviour Officer of our Housing Association, he received written warning that it had to stop, the abusive language was toned down, but it did not stop his personal remarks about my husband and myself. Even though we made several reports to the H.A., they did little about it, then the damage started again, smashed fencing, smashed gates, during the course of this time, the Police were involved, but little was done by them, unless we could prove that he did the damage there was little they could do. We purchased CCTV equipment, a voice recorder, and other pieces of equipment in order to keep our property under surveillance. Eventually another ASBO was assigned to our case and the H.A., were kept informed by email / telephone of what was going on, eventually our neighbour was issued with a Warning of Harassment, and told to leave us alone. He then started another hate campaign, deliberately trying to damage the CCTV equipment, all of which was caught on camera. The ASBO promised the earth, an injunction / possession order were going to be taken out against him, again to no avail. After two years we found a solution the problem ourselves, by finding a similar flat on another part of the estate, we informed the H.A., about this and were promised by email a management transfer. Two days later we had an interview with our Housing Officer who told us that we could not have this property, but another one had been found for us, a one bedroom bungalow, we told them that this would not be suitable as we needed two bedrooms due to my husband's health. Even after driving up to see it, we found it was again not suitable for our needs. The bedroom would only take a single bed comfortably, and this meant that if we took it we would have to get rid of three quarters of our personal belongings and furniture in order to move into this place, even to the point of having to get rid of our dog, who is my husband's pet. We wrote to the head office to the Chief Executive and issued a complaint about the way th

zooey 07/01/2015 at 8:30 pm

Hi for the past 3 years a single parent and her 3 kids have been renting the house next door. She doesn't work and seems to be getting everything paid for. She screams at the kids morning noon and night she is drunk best part of the time. She let's her kids hammer the football at our wall and fence all summer, a fence has had to be replaced due to them running along it which was invading our privacy also. Any time we have told them about this they make out that is us who is over reacting. I know she allows the kids do what they want they throw rubbish in to our back garden and used baby wipes. She puts on a posh voice so most people don't know what she's like. We have worked hard to pay for what we have and it makes me sick to the pit of my stomach that someone can just come and cause disruption like they have and aren't even paying a single penny. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

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