parents neighbors causing trouble?

Question

My parents have been living in there property fpr about a year now and it is with a housing assosiation, the only trouble is they are having trouble with the next door neigbors! They throw abuse at my parents and also at my younger brothers and sister. They have complained about this and had a meetong with the assosiation. They said that the neighbors have also complained about my family, but they have done nothing wrong. My parents have just put cameras up outside there house to try and get any evidence they need to prove twhat is happening. Now the neighbors have complained about that and the assosiation have told them to take them down as they ar not in the tenancy agreement! What can my family do as they are really upset at the moment, they wanted to move but the assosiation said they cant until every thing is resolved with the neighbors. Does anyone know how they can go about sorting this out! sensible answers please.

Answer 1

You should be able to move, regardless of what the association says. Did they sign a contract. They really should consult a lawyer for best results. Good luck.

Answer 2

Your parents shouldn't try to sell without getting the situation at least somewhat under control. No one is going to want to buy a place with crazy@$$ neighbors, and if this really is just malice on their part, they will probably try to scare off any potential buyers, just to cause your parents grief. I think your parents should request some kind of official mediation from the association -- the kind where things are written down, and a professional mediator comes in to work with both parties. If it turns out that the neighbors have a legitimate complaint that they are expressing in a very inappropriate way, the mediation process may get to the root of it. On the other hand, if they are just crazy and spiteful, the escalation of the situation to a step just short of a lawsuit may scare them into good behavior. Basically, you need to make the neighbors aware that this is a very serious situation, while at the same time offer them a way to back out gracefully.

Answer 3

Sadly this all too common. It could be that the neighbours are a 'problem' family hence having been housed by the housing association ..... only a possibility ....not making accusations ! The only way to resolve such a situation is to TALK preferably with an intermediary so that all sides can put their views in a civil, calm manner & all problems dealt with there and then and all agreements being stuck to........ How can world leader ever hope to sort out situations like Israel/Lebanon & Iraq if two neighbours cant get on? Come on let common sense prevail & get to grips with this before it gets out of hand ... it cant be that hard

Answer 4

You need to read the tenancy agreement carefully and consider your options. We had a similar problem with our neighbours and I can recall how bad it was by just thinking about it for one second.
I kicked up a bit of a fuss with the freeholders, who agreed with us. But in the end we handed in our notice and left because it was so bad. That was over six months ago. As it stands now one set of bad neighbours continues to defy the decision of the freeholder (they actually had the cheek to complain that our garden was "untidy" - well since we're not living there that's unsurprising). The other set (the ones who nearly caused our front door to be smashed in by armed emergency response police, after a "domestic incident" in which one of them had a firearm) are still there even though the owner died! We couldn't stop those people from being complete morons if that's the way they wanted to be.

It sounds like you have good grounds for moving. The usual phrase that you can pick them up on is "quiet enjoyment". If you're not being provided with "quiet enjoyment", the landlord is in breach of the agreement. You lose money by moving, but we were able to stay with family for a few months, which helped us a lot.

Putting all that aside - if you move out and don't pay (even though they say you have to), they (the housing association) will need to go to a lot of effort to initiate a claim and get any money from you. If your case is strong, there won't be a problem even if they do manage it. Just document dates and descriptions of incidents and complaints, but don't go overboard - it's not really necessary.

The main points:
1) give notice in as close accordance with the agreement as possible
2) stop any future payments
3) get out

Answer 5

If they live in a city there is often a neighbourhood mediation service available that helps to sort out neighbourhood disputes.
Mediation would need a commitment by both sides to try and sort out the issues. It seems that, having already brought in 'official' people you would need to try and reduce the tension a little bit in order to make it possible for them to talk to each other.

There are a growing number of Community Development Workers, employed by the council, police, churches, etc... They are often walking the streets, looking for ways to help making communities better places to live and would be able to act as a go-between. Actually, I know this may sound a little strange to you if you don't have contact with a church, but your local vicar probably has experience sorting out disagreements between people in churches and may be willing to help (as long as folk aren't anti). But a Council community warden would probably be seen as more neutral. You can normally get to them by contacting the local council and asking if there's anyone responsible for Community Development. When you get to that person, ask if there's a community warden for your area.

I would want to establish firstly that drink and drugs are not involved. If you have a good reason to think they are, on either side, then it's difficult to reach a reasonable conclusion.
After that, whichever route you take, it's about trying to get people to talk to one another. Often, going through third parties, just makes things worse. As there are counter claims, obviously the housing association does not think it is clear cut, and you quite naturally want to support your parents. it's needs someone neutral to sit down between them and work it out. Housing association officials do not necessarily have the right skills. Follow the links below for more info. Links to Mediation UK (national mediation service) and a government webage outlining how one scheme works with 'Street Wardens'.

Hope this helps

Chris.

Answer 6

First of all I think that bullshit that your parents cant move until they make peace with the people next door. I believe that if your parents wants to move out then they can do so at anytime. As for the cameras try setting them up in the house that way they cant say anything about that but to be on the safe side hook it up an try to hide it as well... good luck

Answer 7

A group meeting with both your parents and their neighbours round a table at the housing association with a mediation officer would be the best thing that could happen, it a chance for both sets to put their grievances and opinions across face to face and hopefully get the matter resolved with effect, its your parents right to ask for this to happen with immediate effect and hopefully they can get on with the life they want to and stop been hassled and stressed, good luck and hope everything works out soon.

Answer 8

This is a really difficult situation but as I see it the housing association should be doing more, the citizens advice may be able to help I appreciate it must be so frustrating and maybe i should not say this but carrying dictaphones might not be a bad thing !! I am sure there is now laws regarding "the neighbours from hell" good luck

Answer 9

It shows like your parents are with a bully association, if the neighbors have nothing to hide they shouldn't be against the cameras, tell your parents to hide the cameras somewere inside the house peeking out tru the windows...they can tell them not to do so because its inside the house. Check with a lawyer and you will see that its against they're rights (your parents right).

Answer 10

Just ignore them. don't get involved with people like this. If the only way they can move is resolve problem act nice towards them telll them you want to be good neighbours hopefully they will fall for it then your family can get out. Other wise if its effecting health go to medical practioner they can help get your family out. As long as cameras only show your yard shouldnt be against the laws.