Neighbours making life hellish.

The problem with selling a house with problem neighbours is that you now get a questionnaire from the buyers solicitor asking questions about such things as neighbour disputes, noise problems etc.

If you don't answer honestly and the new owner has similar problems, I understand they can seek legal redress. I have read of cases where financial restitution has been ordered by a court.

Difficult situation to know what to do.

Try not to escalate this dreadful situation with solicitors letters for disputes will have to be declared when you sell. I would suggest you sell or let it out. For revenge let it to students if feasible or perhaps sell it to a charity which rehomes problem families who have been evicted due to noise and anti social behaviour. It is appalling that people can act in such a way but for the sake of your health you must get out.

I think it's awful that you have to move. It let's the guilty win. However your health and wellbeing is paramount. So if it was me I'd be out of there

I would not try to sell your property as they will obviously try to bring the price down and get one of their own to buy it at a lower figure. I suggest you rent it out and use the income to go on lovely stress-free holidays. Although I wouldn't go so far as to follow the course chosen by GrannyAnnie2010's friend (students can cause a lot of damage to the house, although a high deposit could deal with that) it was an ingenious solution. However, even with an ordinary short-term let I think that renters are not going to be put off in advance by these horrible neighbours so that is a win for you. And, as I say, use the income for glorious holidays.

Maybe you should make a point of staring into their windows. Unless there is a covenant on your property you have a right to put up fences that comply with local authority rules. I think a max 6’ can be put up without planning permission. If they subsequently damage the fence, that is criminal damage I’m not sure why you would take the cctv down as you need evidence of their abuses for action to be successful . The deeds to your property will show your boundaries. If there is any dispute you should get back to the firm of solicitors who did your conveyancing. Also, if the people who sold the property knew how difficult these people are and did not declare it you may able to claim to set off the loss of your property value. If their property is rented you might contact the Landlord / letting agency.Have you contacted you local authority to see if there is a anything they can do - particularly in the area of noise? I well know how ineffective the police are and unfortunately you might encounter solicitors who are incompetent - but at least there is some protection from the law society. When you have tradespeople warn them of this problem and set up a password on telephone/letters/online and instruct them to ignore any correspondence without the password you have agreed. Hope you’ll find something helpful here. Good luck x

Agree with Esmeralda and GrannyAnnie put it in the hands of agents for rent or perhaps the local council who always need property for families in need. That way you will get a nice income which will allow you to rent nice holiday homes in lovely areas and you might eventually find somewhere to buy your second home. Good luck.

Er - what does "goudy" mean? (Londoner here)

Hi,

I have exactly the same experience of this and wish I could help you, it’s hard over the keyboard. The behaviour is classic bullying behaviour to get you out of that house it’s whether you can stomach it or not, if not having had this for ten years I would move, don’t waste your life on these people. If you stomach it as we have, we have stayed. You have obviously been seen to be considerate and decent people by the neighbours and unfortunately they use this with the behaviour they are using to upset you and drain your spirit. They are generally miserable people remember this. Live your life happily, go about your business, don’t look at them. Use voile or as we have done blurred windows with new glazing like on a bathroom. Do jobs outside don’t wait for them to do them show you are entitled to do these things on your property too. Put a camera up as we did. Our neighbour was an alcoholic and we caught her drunk falling over a lot of the time. Remember it is not your fault and chat to friends who will listen. The horrid woman here left him next door but he remains he’s a horrid man too, don’t let them waste your head space as life is too short. Keep a diary of everything, I got wrinkle cream adverts through the post, masturbation toy leaflets, cards but I remember the biggest killer for them was been happy in myself. Xxx

Couldn't you let one of your properties to a homeless person and get your similarly positioned neighbours to do likewise?

To add you need to work out what behaviour of yours depletes them, sometimes by staring this is getting a reaction so you can’t win they want reactions, then not doing anything makes you feel bullied. It’s hard x

I like GrannyAnnie's idea and would also ask the "students" to keep suggesting they are buying the place too unless the neighbour's harrassment stops.

So sorry to hear of this intolerable situation. We’ve had experience of unpleasant, unreasonable neighbours but not to the extent you describe - like others, I always find it hard to believe people can behave in this way. Sorry to say, I think all you can do is sell up (probably losing out financially in the process), but peace of mind is a priceless commodity. Also, I think you should be glad that this is not your main household and that you do have an immediate escape - I suspect that the fact you have a second home is at the root of all this uncivilised behaviour. Move out & move on!

What a predicament. My guess would be that all these neighbours are related. Enough said about their mentality. My advice would be to get out as soon as possible for your sanity.

This is harassment and by law an offence so make an appointment with a solicitor and other than by mouth, and you want to stop this harassment once and for all, provide evidence. Obtaining as much of this evidence as possible in statements from those who you learn been approached by your neighbours..Photographs too where possible.

Sorry to hear about your problems. I think the time has passed for solutions, they will not change and will carry on making your life a misery. As advised previously, I would aim to sell the property and move on with your life- hopefully a quieter one -. Sometimes, it is better to go quietly. Best wishes

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GrannyAnny
My exact thoughts when I read the OP. ?

I love GrannieAnnie's answer. Maybe it would work with this horrible neighbour. Needs to be considered alongside the other neighbours though. People can be so awful.

Probably the most sensible thing to do is to cut your losses & sell up, however disappointing this may be.

But that said, if you have the nerve for it... @GrannyAnnie2010 Animal House suggestion does appeal to me although it does run the risk of a rowdy house & even more intractable neighbours.

It is not your main home though so I doubt you will find much support locally if you are living in one of the places that is now flooded with holiday homes and pushing up prices so that locals can no longer afford to live there. Buying or renting.

However you say that the neighbours causing trouble are also having them as a second home and seem to be driving down prices so that their own family can buy them cheaper.

Things will not improve if this is the case because they are quite ruthless and also there are more of them!

You should move as soon as possible.

If you can afford it, sell and go, even at a loss. Your health, mental and physical, is precious.

Don’t let out to tenants unless you are absolutely sure you can cope with the possible problems of tenants - I let my flat when I got married, and had one lovely tenant for several years and then tenants who didn’t pay rent, damaged furniture, threw away fitted carpet, had very frequent and noisy parties etc, etc. It was all hugely frustrating and expensive.

Good luck in whatever happens. ?

Loads of good advice above. So sorry for the situation you find yourself in.

Things I would do?

I would try and get a number of family or other visitors to pop in and out very regularly or come and stay, especially any male relatives.

I would try and have assertive confident body language, shoulders back, head high, smile and look happy (even when I feel totally the opposite)

I would join some local organisations/ WI/ coffee mornings, clubs, activities where you have a common interest with other locals, anything going on in the village and get some new friends on my side.....and quietly listen, you may be able to glean information.

I would regularly invite different people back for coffee and a chat - to be seen, to have a presence, that it’s not just you and your partner living there. Take up your space, don’t appear apologetic, that sort of thing.

Give the impression of “busy”

If there is a PCSO can you quietly befriend them, get them to pop in for chats....that’s another “presence”...and also your nasty neighbours won’t know why the police are actually calling....

I travel a fair bit and have observed other nationalities and how they deal with grating behaviours and things (which I am now learning from and copying!)...for example if people are being passive-aggressive/loud/intimidating/overbearing in someone else’s space - I saw the best reactions were from people who carried on looking happy, reading their newspapers, having their own conversations and just pretending they weren’t there, not acknowledging them in any way. The intimidating people want a reaction, so they get frustrated when there is none ?

Hope things improve for you

I had similar trouble....we solved it by getting our solicitor to send them a letter threatening court action - but this won't work in every case and could prove very expensive if you ended up actually taking them to court. My advice - cut your losses , sell up and the stress will be gone.

If you decide to sell, the suggestion to sell through auction is a good one. Set the reserve price that recoups your costs or at something you can live with & hope that the new buyer has a better experience - at best a developer who is focused on a quick turn around& will not tolerate any nonsense neighbours.

Renting out for income is an idea, & I suggest that you look into letting the property to the local authority - this would provide you with a fair return on the property for a set term, & the LA would manage the tenancies. This would allow you to bide your time until your neighbours change their behaviours- but don’t hold your breath - & not suffer financial loss.

I'd go back to both the local authority & police and look at getting an ASBO against them - It's wholly unreasonable behaviour and you should not be driven from your home - I also agree with Bugebabe2019 - this is letting them win and reducing the price of your home! Your Solicitor could also apply for a restraining order. I also agree telling your visitors they have mental health issues and to ignore them is a really good idea - Good luck - these people should not be allowed to get away with this