My neighbours' overgrown house

Well, I had 6 messages from various local authorities by last night, now everything has gone quiet and i just have to wait and see if they do anything.................

That's today's update. I'm off to a Family History meeting.

jings yes, but never mind.

Am at present in contact with MP.
And County Councillor Patrick Greene - who has sent me to the legal dept of SODC re the Act I have mentioned. He seems impressed by my findings!

So far have received an acknowledgement.

(think I might have have misinterpreted yours and Ana's combined posts there)

Developers are desperate for land at the moment. They are getting every encouragement from the government to build, especially in the South-East. We think of moving every so often, nothing comes of it and probably won't, but we always say, that would be a line we would follow.

Yes. That's it Alie. Why should you be forced out of your home? Perhaps they have got money and can be forced to spend it. Local MP is the best bet I would think. See what he/she says. Do they have a regular clinic?

...But to go somewhere else?

If the neighbours held out for a higher price, the developer would have no choice...

jings if I was a developer, I would see that this woman was being forced to move by circumstances and would not offer a high price.....but maybe I am a cynic

You would probably get a very good price. A developer would most likely put six "homes" on the site. But I understand you not wanting to move.

And I was in Oxford on Sunday last - where my daughter lives - and I realised I really am not keen on going back there....

Thousands of tourists, and correspondingly expensive. I used to hate going into town.

Actually I would rather not move. If this was sorted...and the other next-door-but-one neighbour's DOGS removed!

It would be a pretty low offer, I think......

No. Just looked down thread. They do own the house.

Or have I got it wrong, thinking that they own the house? Ignore if I have.

If you are hoping to move, would a developer make an offer for yours and next doors'? Perhaps make an offer they would n't turn up?

Just a thought, if all else fails.

Looks like this is a bit of legislation that actually covers houses!

Also incompetencetoday.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/joy-of-section-215.html !!

More interesting stuff on
forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3718209
Anyone know anything about this Act?

I have thought round this...the thing is once you get publicity, you don't have any control over what happens, do you?

These two are also truly weird and unpredictable, I have no idea what they would do!

Sorry if this has already been suggested, how about the local press?

Mmm - yes.
Last try at letter communication produced him at my door - in complete denial that anything was wrong. Very weird people. After this I contacted the SODC.
According to 192.com, he is under 60 and she is under 45. He looks far older, skinny and ill,

No rats that I know of, lots of cats round here. Thought there were once, but now think the scrapings were an urban fox.

Local CAB was where I went first, and wasn't impressed, as they pointed me at a mediation organisation that didn't exist any more....

Found a little on www.thelawforum.co.uk/neighbours-side-semi-detached-disrepair about a similar problem but no real new suggestions.

The trouble is you're a nice person and they're quiet and inoffensive - just unable to care for themselves and their property to normal standards - so it really goes against the grain to complain and upset them. But they obviously have no concerns for your feelings and the other neighbours must be affected to a lesser extent too. Perhaps they should get a bit more proactive too.

On the environmental side, have you seen any rats? There must be rats. Any nasty smells?!

Would CAB be able to help with legal advise re your worries about the spreading rotten roof? Is there any sort of legal requirement regarding joined properties?

jings I want to be able to sell my house if necessary. It's not that I want to move. But unless something is done next door, apparently my house is worth nothing!
I don't know what can be done. but I can't stop trying.

Sorry, speed read the last few posts!

There's a semi house I know where the council came and cleared the garden a couple of years ago. It looks better than it did but could do with a make over! think the adjoining house is being let at present. And my SiL's adjoining neighbour was an elderly lady who let her place go in the same way. OK for SiL as she wasn't wanting to move and the old lady eventually died and the house was sold. There's a lot of it about! (Did you say one of the couple was very elderly?)

Don't get me wrong! You have my sympathy. It is awful for you.