New update on my reclusive neighbours.....

Alie, what terrible news. I'm so sorry.

Is there anyone in real life who can be with you?

Oh no, Alie What a dreadful shock! I'm so sorry to hear this sad news.

Oh my god Allie
I'm so, so sorry. You're very much in my thoughts x

Can do nothing now as my daughter Jayne has died suddenly.

Interesting.
Thinking of following this up...
Why does it have to be a Bank Holiday w/e?

I think the house could be condemned as 'unfit for human habitation'
democracy.thanet.gov.uk/Data/Cabinet/20021024/Agenda/$Agenda%20Enclosure%2010.doc.pdf. Although this document was prepared by another local authority it is an excellent summary of national legislation.

It is clear from this document that this house is not fit for human habitation because it currently has neither a gas nor electricity supply, and I cannot see these utilities being reinstated with the house in the condition it is in at the moment. It is also not weather tight as it has several broken windows. The Council can therefore serve an Improvement Notice on the owners requiring them to make the house fit.

If the owners do not undertake the work the Council either have to do the repairs themselves (as with the garden) and invoice the owners or they can issue a closing order that the house has to be vacated until the work is done. They do however have to re-house the residents.

I guess it depends on whether or not they are deemed to have the mental capacity to make a decision or not.
It certainly seems that their 'rights' are over-riding those of the people living next to them, quite shocking to me.

I don't think they could just be 'moved out'. Didn't you say that they own the property, Alie?

I think that people have more "human rights" nowadays. Which equates to other people getting less human rights.
Though I am not sure in this case, what could happen to the neighbours?

Hardly surprising AlieOxon, I hadn't realised it had been going on so long.
Could your GP write a letter to Social Services etc explaining the dire effects it's having on your health -or give you a letter to copy to anyone and everyone?

This one's been going on for three years now....and I just checked dates, and six months in I was diagnosed with colitis...a stress-related condition

In which case possibly the Mental Capacity could / might be considered by Social Services.....

Why's everything such a b.....y battle nowadays?

I'm fairly sure they have refused to go.

I'd imagine the neighbours will be moved out as surely no one can live in that environment safely.

Hopefully sooner rather than later, then perhaps you'll get some respite from this awful situation.

x

One result, FlicketyB and I met in Didcot yesterday and she was very helpful with ideas for me to write and complain about the man who phoned me from the Environmental Health dept. Thanks FlicketyB. I'm working on it.

(Mind you, we did a lot of talking about family history too!)

The house next door looks worse than ever, now all the front windows are broken. The pair are there, but there is no gas or electricity; however I did see people come and go there, maybe social services.

And who can blame you.....you do not need all this. Are you expecting any responses today from fire service etc.? - if not why don't you just get the hell out of there for the day!

There is something very debilitating about problems in and around your own home - I really do feel for you. Good neighbours are a real treasure.

I do hope that today improves for you.

I am utterly fed up and very tired this morning.

You have every right to feel bitter, Alie. What with the ivy and the garden and now the fire, these really are 'neighbours from Hell'. Aren't there sensational TV programmes about such people?

I must be getting bitter....

If I was in charge, I would get this house compulsorily purchased back by the council. The owners have, after all, signed an undertaking to keep it decent!

Yes Charley, that was exactly what I wanted! Still do.

Not sleeping very easy at the moment....no electricity or gas next door and one of the things the fireman said was his worry about them using candles......

But at the very least it looks as if steps are being taken to ensure the safety of neighbours. That has to be an improvement. You will be able to sleep easy in your bed.

Alie something is happening but not quite what you were hoping ie remove that pair to a place of safety at least 500 miles away from you. Let the council buy the house, do it up and install a "normal" family- sorted. If only life could be so simple.

I have just had a fireman at the door - because next door didn't answer - and picked his brains a bit. He told me they are NOT going to leave the situation as it is, and mentioned possibility of an alarm next door linked to the station or even a sprinkler system!
They have now got smoke alarms.

After a few minutes of this the man next door opened his....and the fireman left before I could ask more questions!