How to find out contact details of a neighbour.

[fuzzyyo]

We recently bought a terraced cottage, and the neighbour was a recluse hoarder, who is old and currently in a nursing home so we have never met him. This year, tiles broke on his roof so there was a hole and the council told him to sort his property out as its listed and in a conservation area. Therefore, his son instructed works on the roof and to clear the house. However, both roofers randomly died independently of one another within a month so the work on the roof is half finished. Unknown to us at the time they had removed some of our tiles along the join of the properties to lap in the tiles properly, which are still missing.

We need to contact the son to find out what's happening but they don't live in the area, us and none of the other neighbours have details for him or the old owner. The council do have contact details for both but won't release them due to GDPR.

Does anyone know of a legal way in which we can find out the owners details?

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

Is it possible they have mail forwarded elsewhere, try posting a letter

[fuzzyyo]

Smurfsarepeopletoo said:

Is it possible they have mail forwarded elsewhere, try posting a letter

No, their external mail box is quite full until the son periodically appears. Should add, I've never actually seen the son but according to neighbours he pops in every month or so.

[Cudd Wudd]

A starting point would be to get a copy of the property register, if it is registered: www.gov.uk/guidance/land-registry-portal-how-to-re...

The register view should confirm the proprietor, which, if owned by the elderly man will confirm his name. You might be able to trace further with that info.

I'm sure someone else will be along with a better suggestion shortly

[Vasco]

Put a note in the door to await the son's visit.

[CubanPete]

Can you ask any of the other neighbours if they have contact details?

[vaud]

Try facebook with the surname and see if his son comes up on there?
192.com (need to pay) with the surname and local towns?

[mickyh7]

Repair your roof immediately.
Sort the rest out when you can.

[The big yin]

Go to the care home or and council and ask them to contact neighbours son and ask him to contact you asap.

[anonymous-user]

The big yin said:

Go to the care home or and council and ask them to contact neighbours son and ask him to contact you asap.

This, both will have next of kin contact details because at some point they will want paying. The care home is probably the better bet as the council with go all GDPR on you in an instant.

Alternatively you could try getting in touch with the roofers next of kin and see if they have any details for the son.

Considering the season I would just get it repaired to protect your property.

[fuzzyyo]

Thanks for the suggestions. Don't know any part of their name. Neighbours don't know either, (and are in a similar position to us). Will try leaving a note but think the last time the son was there was approx 3 months ago.

Think we will end up with sorting ourselves and trying to reclaim the cost via small claims court, but obviously that requires finding out who they are. Will also try the council to see if they would forward correspondence if not give it any details.

[vaud]

fuzzyyo said:

Thanks for the suggestions. Don't know any part of their name. Neighbours don't know either, (and are in a similar position to us). Will try leaving a note but think the last time the son was there was approx 3 months ago.

You could just take a peak in their external mailbox for a name?

[fuzzyyo]

Good idea. 👍

[Electro1980]

As it is listed and the council have taken enforcement action you could try contacting the council conservation officer. Explain what has happened, that the work has been half done and it is causing damage to a listed building and that the owner is not actually doing the work they demanded of them, and it is impacting your property. They clearly have contact details and have an interest in protecting the property.

[Zarco]

mickyh7 said:

Repair your roof immediately.
Sort the rest out when you can.

[drmotorsport]

I would repair my own roof ASAP sell up and move. Clearly the place next door is cursed with reclusive owners and multiple roofers dying in mysterious circumstances!