Problematic (alcoholic + more) neighbour
Discussion
I'm not entirely sure if SP&L is the correct forum for this however...
TLDR; We have a problem neighbour, is there anything that can be done by the council or other authority?
We live in a block of flats, and the neighbour below us (female, 68 yrs) is an alcoholic and appears to have some mental issues too.
She owns the flat, and has a live in partner, however he seems to go AWOL quite frequently (we do actually think she's kicked him out now).
The problems we're experiencing are as follows;
She appears to argue with herself - a lot. She could be on the phone of course, however we can't be sure but believe she isn't.
At random times (usually around midnight), she will bang doors (or bangs the drywall) so hard that it will sound through the entire block.
Without divulging too much info - they own two cars (although she doesn't drive) and one of these cars is a well known brand of 4x4.
We have a school nearby, and she threatened to stab one of the mums because this mum happened to be getting into a car of the same colour and brand but a much newer model. I'm not sure if there was any outcome to this, but I am aware the school was involved.
Additionally, we have a secure entry system that requires you to input a code to open the gate. This woman cannot fathom this system and will often stand there effing and blinding at it (the intercom has voice prompts) and then she will stand and rattle the gate furiously.
She often goes 'walkabout' and leaves the security gate open because she cannot get back in when it's closed.
We initially thought she had dementia, but were then informed by other residents that she is a chronic alcoholic.
We now believe she also suffers from schizophrenia.
The constant disturbances are causing my wife and I some stress, is there anything that can be done by the local council or other authority?
EDIT: Corrected several mistakes!
TLDR; We have a problem neighbour, is there anything that can be done by the council or other authority?
We live in a block of flats, and the neighbour below us (female, 68 yrs) is an alcoholic and appears to have some mental issues too.
She owns the flat, and has a live in partner, however he seems to go AWOL quite frequently (we do actually think she's kicked him out now).
The problems we're experiencing are as follows;
She appears to argue with herself - a lot. She could be on the phone of course, however we can't be sure but believe she isn't.
At random times (usually around midnight), she will bang doors (or bangs the drywall) so hard that it will sound through the entire block.
Without divulging too much info - they own two cars (although she doesn't drive) and one of these cars is a well known brand of 4x4.
We have a school nearby, and she threatened to stab one of the mums because this mum happened to be getting into a car of the same colour and brand but a much newer model. I'm not sure if there was any outcome to this, but I am aware the school was involved.
Additionally, we have a secure entry system that requires you to input a code to open the gate. This woman cannot fathom this system and will often stand there effing and blinding at it (the intercom has voice prompts) and then she will stand and rattle the gate furiously.
She often goes 'walkabout' and leaves the security gate open because she cannot get back in when it's closed.
We initially thought she had dementia, but were then informed by other residents that she is a chronic alcoholic.
We now believe she also suffers from schizophrenia.
The constant disturbances are causing my wife and I some stress, is there anything that can be done by the local council or other authority?
EDIT: Corrected several mistakes!
Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 23 January 18:48
Building management firm, neighborhood policing team - I had similar issues, albeit not in a block of flats, that went of for years.
Once neighborhood policing team were involved they were able to get mental health etc on the scene.
Our neighbor was removed for many, many months - when she returned from to time, under supervision she looked a lot better in herself, and I no longer had broken glass through the letter box etc.
Building management may be able to assist with the security issues.
Once neighborhood policing team were involved they were able to get mental health etc on the scene.
Our neighbor was removed for many, many months - when she returned from to time, under supervision she looked a lot better in herself, and I no longer had broken glass through the letter box etc.
Building management may be able to assist with the security issues.
It won’t be a quick process and ultimately it isn’t a police matter from what you’ve said (apart from the stabbing comments). That’s not to say they won’t assist where they can. But don’t expect it to be sorted overnight. Harder if she owns the flat as well.
You could contact social services. They may be unaware of the female. If she’s struggling they will be able to help (but again won’t be a quick fix).
You could contact social services. They may be unaware of the female. If she’s struggling they will be able to help (but again won’t be a quick fix).
Insist that the Police carry out a welfare check with a mental health professional. At the same time get their input on the anti social behaviour aspect. As others have indicated, be prepared for a very long haul. It does seem as if the authorities will do everything to keep people in their own home, even if they are a nightmare for everyone else.
TonyRPH said:
Easternlight said:
Move
Sorry for the over simplistic answer, but if she owns the property this will probably just go on and on and round in circles until it drives you crazy.
We bought this flat back in October - moving is not an option.Sorry for the over simplistic answer, but if she owns the property this will probably just go on and on and round in circles until it drives you crazy.
Sorry to hear this, there is nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable or effected in your own home.
Who did you buy off, isn’t there something that requires sellers to divulge this exact sort of problem?
I realise suing the seller isn’t a realistic option as it will be a load of hassle. But give it 12 more months and you might reach your wits end.
Who did you buy off, isn’t there something that requires sellers to divulge this exact sort of problem?
I realise suing the seller isn’t a realistic option as it will be a load of hassle. But give it 12 more months and you might reach your wits end.
I’ve known really different approaches within the same neighbourhood.
Council ASB Team wouldn’t take action against my mother because she was “unwell” (terrorising her neighbours). Nothing happened for a couple of years, then it got sufficiently high up the agenda for the Mental Health Team to go round with Police and a warrant - then it all turned to s
t because they had neglected to have an ambulance on standby once she was sectioned . . . (long story!).
Bloke around the corner, alcohol and mental health issues, received an injunction prohibiting him from entering his own flat (a couple of years ago - now I think it would be a Closure Order).
Main advice is involve Local Authority ASB and Adult Social Care, Community Mental Health team (but they won’t talk to you direct!), and Police NPT. They should have partnership case conferences once it gets to a certain threshold.
Council ASB Team wouldn’t take action against my mother because she was “unwell” (terrorising her neighbours). Nothing happened for a couple of years, then it got sufficiently high up the agenda for the Mental Health Team to go round with Police and a warrant - then it all turned to s
t because they had neglected to have an ambulance on standby once she was sectioned . . . (long story!).Bloke around the corner, alcohol and mental health issues, received an injunction prohibiting him from entering his own flat (a couple of years ago - now I think it would be a Closure Order).
Main advice is involve Local Authority ASB and Adult Social Care, Community Mental Health team (but they won’t talk to you direct!), and Police NPT. They should have partnership case conferences once it gets to a certain threshold.
TonyRPH said:
We bought this flat back in October - moving is not an option.
Exactly, we are having awful issues with our neighbour who rents next door. It’s not as simple as moving when you have sunk £300k into your house and you aren’t exactly wealthy.The standard PH response seems to be move, it’s just not realistic unless you are renting yourself.
TonyRPH said:
We bought this flat back in October - moving is not an option.
Exactly, we are having awful issues with our neighbour who rents next door. It’s not as simple as moving when you have sunk £300k into your house and you aren’t exactly wealthy.The standard PH response seems to be move, it’s just not realistic unless you are renting yourself.
MDMA . said:
TonyRPH said:
Easternlight said:
Move
Sorry for the over simplistic answer, but if she owns the property this will probably just go on and on and round in circles until it drives you crazy.
We bought this flat back in October - moving is not an option.Sorry for the over simplistic answer, but if she owns the property this will probably just go on and on and round in circles until it drives you crazy.
- the flat did initially go off the market as we had seen it earlier in the year but were not ready to move then - but it appeared back on the market some months later. We queried this with the agent, and she told us that the potential buyer's mortgage offer had fallen through. How true this is, we don't know of course...
Flumpo said:
Sorry to hear this, there is nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable or effected in your own home.
Who did you buy off, isn’t there something that requires sellers to divulge this exact sort of problem?
I realise suing the seller isn’t a realistic option as it will be a load of hassle. But give it 12 more months and you might reach your wits end.
As stated above, the flat was previously rented and stood empty or a year. So the owner was not the original occupier.Who did you buy off, isn’t there something that requires sellers to divulge this exact sort of problem?
I realise suing the seller isn’t a realistic option as it will be a load of hassle. But give it 12 more months and you might reach your wits end.
Well, she went off on one again yesterday evening.
The shouting, banging on walls and slamming of doors started around 6:45 and continued until 3am this morning.
I went downstairs twice to see what was going on, and the second time, I saw her through the lounge window...
She was shouting at an empty chair, pointing her finger shouting various things like "get out!!" etc. - but clearly there is nobody else in the flat.
She paces up and down the lounge kitchen area - gets to the kitchen and opens and shuts cupboard doors slamming them in the process.
Clearly there is some kind of mental illness at play here, and not just alcoholism.
But to keep this up for 8 hours with virtually no breaks in between...
We are wondering if she has prescription drugs and had taken an overdose - how else could an apparently frail 68 year female old maintain energy levels like this?
Needless to say, it's all quiet this morning as she's probably sleeping it off!!
The shouting, banging on walls and slamming of doors started around 6:45 and continued until 3am this morning.
I went downstairs twice to see what was going on, and the second time, I saw her through the lounge window...
She was shouting at an empty chair, pointing her finger shouting various things like "get out!!" etc. - but clearly there is nobody else in the flat.
She paces up and down the lounge kitchen area - gets to the kitchen and opens and shuts cupboard doors slamming them in the process.
Clearly there is some kind of mental illness at play here, and not just alcoholism.
But to keep this up for 8 hours with virtually no breaks in between...
We are wondering if she has prescription drugs and had taken an overdose - how else could an apparently frail 68 year female old maintain energy levels like this?
Needless to say, it's all quiet this morning as she's probably sleeping it off!!
TonyRPH said:
Well, she went off on one again yesterday evening.
The shouting, banging on walls and slamming of doors started around 6:45 and continued until 3am this morning.
I went downstairs twice to see what was going on, and the second time, I saw her through the lounge window...
She was shouting at an empty chair, pointing her finger shouting various things like "get out!!" etc. - but clearly there is nobody else in the flat.
She paces up and down the lounge kitchen area - gets to the kitchen and opens and shuts cupboard doors slamming them in the process.
Clearly there is some kind of mental illness at play here, and not just alcoholism.
But to keep this up for 8 hours with virtually no breaks in between...
We are wondering if she has prescription drugs and had taken an overdose - how else could an apparently frail 68 year female old maintain energy levels like this?
Needless to say, it's all quiet this morning as she's probably sleeping it off!!
The last post is familiar couple of nights ago my nightmare neighbour was off on one too. Shouting and swearing, no idea who at. Went on for about 30 mins then a car pulls up, lad goes inside her house for 5 mins and leaves. The shouting, banging on walls and slamming of doors started around 6:45 and continued until 3am this morning.
I went downstairs twice to see what was going on, and the second time, I saw her through the lounge window...
She was shouting at an empty chair, pointing her finger shouting various things like "get out!!" etc. - but clearly there is nobody else in the flat.
She paces up and down the lounge kitchen area - gets to the kitchen and opens and shuts cupboard doors slamming them in the process.
Clearly there is some kind of mental illness at play here, and not just alcoholism.
But to keep this up for 8 hours with virtually no breaks in between...
We are wondering if she has prescription drugs and had taken an overdose - how else could an apparently frail 68 year female old maintain energy levels like this?
Needless to say, it's all quiet this morning as she's probably sleeping it off!!
Next thing my covert Facebook checking shows that she’s posting pictures of a load of cannabis bush and a blister pack of snidey east European Valium that she has just had delivered. Went very quiet just after that unsurprisingly
cptsideways said:
Past history on this subject, my advice and others the she is move. Don't contact anyone or you'll have to declare it at she time = unsellable house. Tough decision but I guarantee it's the better option!
Moving is currently not an option for us.Moving here used up a fair chunk of our savings, and then once we were in, found a fair bit of work needed doing that we could never have anticipated, and this has drawn our savings down even further.
In addition, we're not the kind of people to sell up without declaring anything as it's not really honest is it?
Although having said that, we've always lived by the "honesty is the best policy" mantra to date, and it's not done us any favours...
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