Metropol

I always write a lot when I talk about this, so best put it in it's own thread, along with any experiences others may wish to share about nuisance neighbours.

marksi wrote:Did you ever have an ASBO taken out on them?

No, I spoke to someone at the housing association who asked us to get some sort of proof of what they're doing, and to record how their actions make us feel, which is what we've done. We've noted down things they do which affect us in some way, because obviously this is making me depressed and really pissed off. As I said to JB, I'm made to feel like I have no freedom or right to live. Today I was talking to my step dad (David) by my car about the little incident yesterday. She was standing watching us and listening to what we were saying. She didn't move until we left, which made us (or at least me) feel nervous. David made a point of mentioning out loud that the proper authorities are completely satisfied that I'm doing nothing wrong at all, that seemed to cause a bit of a stir!

As I understand it, the court has to agree to an ASBO for the application to be successful, and they'll need evidence (which is what I have now, on video). I'm waiting to see the lady from the housing association again who will be able to decide what action to take. She will be speaking to other people in this close who have also had problems with this neighbour, and I'll also ask her to talk to the idiots themselves to see what they have to say.

Thanks to a petition another neighbour put together, we're getting extra lighting and CCTV (which is being installed today!), that should put a stop to the blatant piss-taking at least, but it's too late now anyway because as I said, I have it all on my digital camcordery thing. So basically I'm just waiting to hear what this lady has to say. The video is very shakey, but it's still quite shocking to see someone blatantly taking the piss, then walking normally as he gets to the end of the road.

The problem I have with ASBOs is the hassle of having to deal with courts, I really don't need this on top of everything else I have to deal with in my own life. One option being given to me is meeting with these idiots along with a mediator, someone who is on neutral ground. This is the last thing I want to happen, there is no way I ever want to talk to them. I'm probably hoping for a miracle here, but maybe, just maybe the housing association will see the disturbance she is causing and will move her out of here.

My feelings on this are strangely skeptical, as pissed off as I am about what they've tried to do to me and my family, I'm still looking for something to justify what they are doing, and there are so many questions. Have I provoked them? Have I done something to them that I may not consciously be aware of? What have I done to make them feel so much hatred for me and my family? Are they mentally ill? Do they have access to information not meant for them to know where I bank? Am I being paranoid? Am I making this out to be a much bigger problem than it is? Am I right to not just ignore them and to take this further? I could go on and on. I question myself as much as I question them, and no matter how hard I try to come to some logical conclusion, I end up with the same answer. They're wankers.

Although an ASBO may be my only choice, I'm still open to other ideas, including pissing off myself - I've been here for ten years, I'll move if I have to, but only if I have no other choice. She has loads of contacts, she certainly knows how to wiggle out of an awkward situation. As much evidence as I have, she can still get away with this. I'd like to show you all the video I have, but I'm uncertain about posting it on a public forum at the moment! Will keep you posted here on any developments.

Lee wrote:I always write a lot when I talk about this, so best put it in it's own thread, along with any experiences others may wish to share about nuisance neighbours.

marksi wrote:Did you ever have an ASBO taken out on them?

No, I spoke to someone at the housing association who asked us to get some sort of proof of what they're doing, and to record how their actions make us feel, which is what we've done. We've noted down things they do which affect us in some way, because obviously this is making me depressed and really pissed off. As I said to JB, I'm made to feel like I have no freedom or right to live. Today I was talking to my step dad (David) by my car about the little incident yesterday. She was standing watching us and listening to what we were saying. She didn't move until we left, which made us (or at least me) feel nervous. David made a point of mentioning out loud that the proper authorities are completely satisfied that I'm doing nothing wrong at all, that seemed to cause a bit of a stir!

As I understand it, the court has to agree to an ASBO for the application to be successful, and they'll need evidence (which is what I have now, on video). I'm waiting to see the lady from the housing association again who will be able to decide what action to take. She will be speaking to other people in this close who have also had problems with this neighbour, and I'll also ask her to talk to the idiots themselves to see what they have to say.

Thanks to a petition another neighbour put together, we're getting extra lighting and CCTV (which is being installed today!), that should put a stop to the blatant piss-taking at least, but it's too late now anyway because as I said, I have it all on my digital camcordery thing. So basically I'm just waiting to hear what this lady has to say. The video is very shakey, but it's still quite shocking to see someone blatantly taking the piss, then walking normally as he gets to the end of the road.

The problem I have with ASBOs is the hassle of having to deal with courts, I really don't need this on top of everything else I have to deal with in my own life. One option being given to me is meeting with these idiots along with a mediator, someone who is on neutral ground. This is the last thing I want to happen, there is no way I ever want to talk to them. I'm probably hoping for a miracle here, but maybe, just maybe the housing association will see the disturbance she is causing and will move her out of here.

My feelings on this are strangely skeptical, as pissed off as I am about what they've tried to do to me and my family, I'm still looking for something to justify what they are doing, and there are so many questions. Have I provoked them? Have I done something to them that I may not consciously be aware of? What have I done to make them feel so much hatred for me and my family? Are they mentally ill? Do they have access to information not meant for them to know where I bank? Am I being paranoid? Am I making this out to be a much bigger problem than it is? Am I right to not just ignore them and to take this further? I could go on and on. I question myself as much as I question them, and no matter how hard I try to come to some logical conclusion, I end up with the same answer. They're wankers.

Although an ASBO may be my only choice, I'm still open to other ideas, including pissing off myself - I've been here for ten years, I'll move if I have to, but only if I have no other choice. She has loads of contacts, she certainly knows how to wiggle out of an awkward situation. As much evidence as I have, she can still get away with this. I'd like to show you all the video I have, but I'm uncertain about posting it on a public forum at the moment! Will keep you posted here on any developments.

Under no circumstances should you be forced into "mediation". This isn't a relationship which has soured, this is out and out harrassment, and it's not your responsibility to resolve it.

The duty of care falls to the Housing Association and the Council. You have a right to live without fear, and it if a Housing Association have placed your neighbour in that property, then ultimately they could be sued by you for not taking greater care with the choice of their tennants.

Court cases are never pleansant. I had to face an attacker in court who not only smashed a bottle over my head, but saw me going into my doorway, so I knew he would know where to come back to take revenge. He never ever did though, and he was given a custodial sentance.

Keep the camcorder ready to roll, and don't think twice about reporting them to the police again and again and again.

I don't quite understand your comment re the talking the piss then walking normally. Is a family member crippled or something?

Hymagumba wrote:I don't quite understand your comment re the talking the piss then walking normally. Is a family member crippled or something?

Dad has arthritis and heart problems, so yea, when he can walk he walks funny. They take the piss because they think it's all fake, the other day they shouted to him "you should be working you lazy bastard!" - Er, he'll be 70 next year.

Yay, the housing lady is coming round Friday. She wants to see the video ASAP, and is going round to talk to them straight after. On the phone: "This is where the sparks really fly..."

I'll be thinking good thoughts for you.

Make sure and tell us how you get on. Don't leave me hanging.

Right, the lady came at 2 and saw the tape, we also updated her on the latest. She went to see the neighbours straight after, who (as suspected) denied every single thing thrown at them.

The housing lady told them that she had seen video proof of him taking the piss, he replied with a story of how his disability makes him walk with a limp, er, sometimes. The housing lady doesn't believe any of that to be true, she saw how they were giving each other sly looks as if to say to each other "keep your mouth shut." She told us she knows they are telling lies, every single thing they said was bullshit, and she could see that a mile away.

We've agreed to do nothing to them (as we have done for the last 2 years), and they've agreed to keep out of our way. If anything does happen, we are to phone her straight away.

According to the housing lady who called us after her meeting with them, the wife of the piss-taker had this to say: "I've never reported them, I'd never do such a thing." - OK, so she didn't tell everyone that she reported us? She didn't threaten to report me over a year ago? She didn't brag about how we're in the wrong and sooner or later we'll get caught doing whatever the fuck it is we're supposed to be doing? Its general knowledge here now that she has tried to report me, I've heard it from other people and even her own mouth.

The lady said that we were upset... "So are we upset." - Yes, upset in the head. "I hope they don't expect us to walk with our heads down, we've done nothing wrong." - No? I'll leave it for you to decide. Is it a disability? Or is it blatant piss-taking?

But you do know being gay is against the law in Norwich unless your a regional TV presenter?

Everyone is a homosexual in Norwich you misinformed twit.

Lee wrote:We've agreed to do nothing to them (as we have done for the last 2 years), and they've agreed to keep out of our way. If anything does happen, we are to phone her straight away.

Not good enough Lee.

At what stage is enough supposed to be enough?

Your housing lady is taking the easy option. "Let me know if anything else happens, then we will act".

You have waited quite long enough. Promises from this lying bunch of arseholes have been broken before and assurances have gotten you nowhere.

You should call the housing lady back on Monday and tell her that you have suffered this behaviour for years and are not prepared to take the word of obvious liars for one minute more.

It is the housing association's responsibility to protect ALL of the tennants who have signed a lease. There is a clear and obvious dereliction of care with regards to your tennancy; and she has acknowledged that in person.

You must toughen up and tell the association that they must act now; or threaten to take legal advice which will see he association in the dock answering for their lack of action.

I will get on a train to Norwich to argue your case should you need.

Idle promise?

Try me.

I was expecting to feel relieved by the end of the day, but I feel no different now to how I did when I woke up this morning. I still feel unsafe knowing they'll still be talking about me and possibly getting information about me they shouldn't be getting. They know where I bank (not just the name of the bank but the location), so they must have followed me or somehow got that information from somewhere.

Let's just see what happens in the next few weeks, I want to see what reaction (if any) the neighbours will give. All I want is peace, if they stay out of my way we'll be just fine. If they dish out more of the same, they will be evicted. I know that for a fact.