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Neighbours from hell

(38 Posts)
Smurf52 Mon 02-Oct-17 23:55:23

In all my years I've been very lucky to have good neighbours. I've recently moved into a rented property in a new area. I love the house, it's just right for me.

One of the neighbours has taken to ringing my doorbell and banging on my door in the evening. This has happened regularly and as I live on my own unnerves me quite a bit. Initially I thought it was kids but this evening I heard giggling and footsteps running next door and banging their door shut. I know there are no kids, just a woman in her 20s and her mother. They can't talk normally, they have to shout or shriek. There's loud getting in and out of cars several times of an evening. I think they both work because it's quiet during the day apart from dog barking and the car is gone.

When I moved in there was an empty McDonalds bag and a cigarette packet lobbed over from next door. The tomato ketchup container is still on my lean-to roof as I can't reach it.

The neighbours fence was also down in several places and their staffie was getting into my garden to poo. Luckily when I contacted the letting agent about this, the actual landlord and landlady came round and put a temporary hardboard fence up and they have promised to replace the fence entirely even though it's the neighbour's.

They were so nice and are even letting me have a dog, something I haven't been able to do in previous rentals. I had asked if I could redecorate internally as I want to be here long term which probably has made them more approachable.

I don't want to move out when my initial six months is up because I've spent quite a lot on the place since moving in a month ago. I put a friendly letter through the door when I first arrived and offered to pay for a new fence but they totally ignored it. I have always smiled and said hi when I've seen them but they ignore me.

This is upsetting me as I thought this was going to be my long term happy home sad

M0nica Tue 03-Oct-17 15:03:02

Moving is difficult enough if you are a tenant. If you are a house owner it is even worse. We had just bought the house where we had a problem neighbour. Moving wasn't an option. I just stopped ignoring all phone calls when I was in the garden, so they soon stopped. There was one final flurry after that, when we heard a tinkle of glass one night, and rushed out to find an empty street and the nearside wing mirror on our car broken. As I went out I heard the click of a front door, but could not prove anything. After that she stopped bothering us.

Nannarose Tue 03-Oct-17 15:16:47

It is upsetting, and of course you never know what neighbours are going to be like! But I would begin to look around; you are just about coping with this odd behaviour, so you have a little time; this is also one of the advantages of renting.

Sadly, there are people with a slightly skewed sense of reality who will indulge in odd behaviour like this. It's not highly anti-social, and doesn't really trigger 'sanctions' of any kind, but just odd and unsettling. They usually know what buttons to push to make someone (who they have decided they don't want around) feel uncomfortable.

I think your decision depends on a lot of other factors, including your other neighbours - is this something they have learned to cope with?

However, after a lifetime working in the community, I would say these situations rarely improve, unless they are evicted (you don't say, and probably don't know, if they are renting).

I do hope it can work out for you.

Serkeen Tue 03-Oct-17 15:29:01

SMURF52
You could always put a camera at your door to find out WHO is playing knock down ginger every night, it surely can not be a 20 year old ??

Also if your neighbours are un pleasant don't let it concern you. I live in London and in 7 years I have spoken to my neighbour twice and one of those times was to tell him to lower his music as it was 4am in the blinkin morning.

I think a security camera at your door will arm you will knowledge or it might even stop them knocking at your door for fear of getting caught. If you are a bit in nerved about the knocking never open your door to anyone unless you ask who they are first and you recognise the voice flowers

joannapiano Tue 03-Oct-17 16:15:53

I'm with Luckygirl on this, if you're renting, just move.

pinkjj27 Tue 03-Oct-17 16:44:39

I have had similar problems and I know it is very hard . I Have just brought a peephole camera for the front door . It records and comes with a monitor or can be used with a phone, so you can see anyone who is or has been at your door. I got mine from eBay very cheep and easy to fix mine goes over the exciting peephole but there are many different types. You need to know who it is banging before you can sort it.

BlueBelle Tue 03-Oct-17 17:01:12

But really there is nothing in the original post to suggest they are TERRIBLE neighbour, talk about Chinese whispers it’s got worse and worse with each post made
Look at it fact by fact
There was a hole in the fence and a dog coming through ( is that their fault) ...... landlord has mended the fence albeit temporarily .....problem solved
The neighbours appear to be two women who are out (poster thinks at work) all day, but noisy in the evenings, talk loudly and bang doors
When she FIRST moved in there was a McDonald’s s wrapper and cigarette packet lobbed over ....there is nothing to suggest that this has continued to happen
They don’t talk to poster when she smiles or says hello (not very friendly but their choice)

Smurf are you sure you are just not used to very quiet but friendly neighbours and these are different

By the way why did you move ?

fluttERBY123 Tue 03-Oct-17 17:04:18

Are you a different religion or race or sexual orientation (there are other things, I think) to your neighbours? If so their behaviour could be deemed hate crime and they could be prosecuted. It is certainly harassment, though relatively low level to what it could be.

In any case start to keep a log of what is going on, date and event.

MissAdventure Tue 03-Oct-17 17:10:36

I think you would have to have a lot more concrete evidence before assuming any kind of 'crime' has been committed! They sound like normal people to me. A bit thoughtless: nothing more.

CardiffJaguar Tue 03-Oct-17 18:11:42

Try the local council. Some of them have a team to deal with noise and nuisance. Speak to the landlord again to ask what they know or even if those neighbours are also renting. Then have a look at your rental/lease agreement to see if there is anything there that can be used.

BlueBelle Tue 03-Oct-17 18:29:15

Blimey we ve moved on another notch it’s moved up to hate crime now People you re watching too much tv

Belinda49 Tue 03-Oct-17 19:01:12

1. I would befriend the people opposite and ask them to keep an eye on your front door to let you know exactly who is bothering you.
2. I wouldn't get a dog yet in case you are forced into a move.
3. Even a fake CCTV camera might put them off.
4. Be glad you only have a 6 month Lease and can move. No-one needs this sort of stress. You will find yourself unable to relax and just waiting for the door knocking and bell ringing.
5. There's more than one ideal home for you if you search.

harrysgran Tue 03-Oct-17 20:02:12

You are lucky you are renting and can go elsewhere where I'm sure there would be nicer neighbours I agree with previous comments don't spend anymore on the property and start looking for somewhere else you won't win people like this over they have probably done this to previous tenants life really is too short to allow this sort of stress