It's a long story but I will try to be brief. My parents have bought their council flat, they now want to sell but their neighbour downstairs could cause some potential problems, (she moved in after they began buying). She is an umemployed drug user with four children and a dog, she allows the dog to foul the outside of the properties, she leaves household junk outside of her flat and constantly plays loud music, she has an 'on off' boyfriend who she is always fighting with (physically) and loudly and the police are regular visitors to her flat.
My parents have considered complaining to the council about her but apparantly they would have to declare a dispute with the neighbour to any potential buyers which they fear could put buyers off, not to mention the condition she keeps the outside of her flat in, which viewers have to pass to gain access to my parents flat. They don't want to do anything to upset her in case she causes more problems whilst they are trying to sell.
2007-03-05 00:44:09 · 13 answers · asked by Smoochy Poochy 6 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
But they don't know how to deal with her in the mean time, she is one of those abusive types who takes offence to anything said, so they have to be careful how they deal with her.
2007-03-05 00:46:08 · update #1
Unfortunately you legally can't hide that sort of information from potential buyers. I think by law you have to declare it. Their best bet is to get her evicted
2007-03-05 00:48:05 · answer #1 · answered by PhoenixRights 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I appreciate that your parents are worried about having to declare a dispute/problem with a neighbour, but in reality they're never going to sell their property while things are as they are. Put off the selling issue until they've taken up the situation with the Council regarding the nuisance neighbour, and be persistent with their complaint. If all else fails, get an appointment for them to see their Local Councillor and ask for their help. This whole situation sounds like a vicious circle, but you have to make a stand and start to tackle the problem somewhere. Unfortunately there are some deadlegs who actually go out of their way to spoil things for others. Good luck to your parents - they sound like lovely people who dont deserve to be suffering this injustice.
2007-03-05 01:21:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why don't they do what my friend has done, as he was in the same situation in London. Anyway after making a complaint he found out that he would have to list the complaint in the details when selling, so he made enquiries with the council and found out that he could re-rent the flat back to the council, in your parents case they could do the same, then with the money they get from the council they could us it to pay for the new house. (he got an initial payment of £10,000 & then he gets so much every month, then when the tenants move out the council come in and re-decorate the place and repair any damage that has occured through wear & Tear.
I my friend case the person who was put in his flat by the council was worse than the person who he complained about in the first palce!
2007-03-05 00:56:22 · answer #3 · answered by Joolz of Salopia 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hmm - you have my sympathy. Neighbours can be a real pain. Can you/they open up a dialogue without it turning into a dispute? Then you wouldn't have to declare it. Talk to her. Explain about the selling - who knows, she might be pleased! Say to her, we've got people coming round at 2pm this afternoon, could you turn the music down then etc. She might be OK, but I know that as you say, some people just can't be talked to. Maybe she's just finding life really hard (I would with 4 kids, never mind the rest!). Perhaps she'd even appreciate a bit of help with getting rid of the junk, or whatever.
If they have to put up with her as things are, no doubt the flat will sell, but the price won't be as high as it might have been. At least your parents will be getting away from her, and that's worth a few thou off the selling price!
2007-03-05 00:57:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your parents would need to declare official formal complaints made against a neighbour but if they approach the council informally at first, this may be enough to prompt them into action.
Some councils run an anonymous hotline for anti social behaviour so they could call one of them. Or if another neighbour (s) are equally affected, if they complained about the matter then your parents wouldn't need to legally declare the dispute as it is not them in dispute.
2007-03-05 00:55:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I feel really sorry for your parents, cos this seems to be a no win situation. You are quite correct in saying if your parents complain, they will have to declare the problem to potential buyers. On the other hand, if your parents complain enough the Council may rehouse this neighbour. Then they won't have to declare it. I hope your parents succeed.
2007-03-05 00:55:03 · answer #6 · answered by Sandee 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I moved into my own flat two months ago and the guy living below me is a full scale alcoholic who is often found lyin in the street covered in his own piss. He was playin loud music all night. A few weeks back I came home from work and was makin my dinner when I heard a knock on my door. This guy and some drunk woman who looked like a complete monster were standing shoutin at ME to keep the f***ing noise down. I went mad and emptied him and told him and his girl I would kill them if they ever gave me **** again. I've 4 brothers and a load of friends I can get to help, with this guy I dont need any help. I havn't had any trouble since. The guys dad even called to my place to apologise on behalf of his son. Can you have a word with the woman downstairs or else get someone to?
2007-03-05 00:54:54 · answer #7 · answered by Sean D 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If the flat below is still council owned they can have her evicted if she does not clean it up and becomes a nuisance - they will have to deal with the council if that is the case - the council will slap a notice on her to clean up her act or face eviction
2007-03-05 00:51:06 · answer #8 · answered by jamand 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Environmental Health are the people your parents need to speak too, don't bother with the police / council as they just see it as wasting their time.
The environmental health can monitor sound / noise etc as well as the state of the outside of the homes and they WILL do something.
2007-03-05 00:48:50 · answer #9 · answered by The Weird One! 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
First of all, your parents need to help the children of this drug abusing mother. Call child protective services. Inform the police of her drug use. That should take care of this problem.
2007-03-05 00:49:32 · answer #10 · answered by flieder77 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋