How to tackle screaming noisy new neighbours?

How to tackle screaming noisy new neighbours?

0:01 AM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago 10

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Hello, my tenants have messaged me with concerns about the new tenants in the flat below them. The building is a converted Edwardian property, eight flats.

Ever since the new tenants, a man and a woman, moved in not quite a couple of months ago the man, more often than the woman, there has been screaming and shouting which can go on for hours at all times of the day and into the night.

My tenants say that they are not only being kept awake, sometimes the shouting starts late evening and goes on till midnight but lately as late as 3am, but the shouting is getting more and more nasty. So nasty that my tenants are getting concerned for the woman.

Their landlord is a difficult character and lives abroad. I have personally had problems with him in the past. I am also 1 of 4 Directors of the residents management company.

The flat was empty and up for sale, but didn’t sell as overpriced. He has now rented it out but apparently, he is now trying to sell it with tenants in situ.

My tenants, 2 young female flat sharers one of whom is my daughter, have asked for my advice.

They want to contact the letting agent as they think if I contact the landlord he will just ignore me. They don’t know whether to call the police but are scared to escalate the situation, if there is an abusive relationship. They also would like the screaming and shouting to stop, it’s affecting their living and sleeping.

What would other landlords do please?

Thanks,

Judith


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Comments

LordOf TheManor

10:15 AM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

Hi Judith
I would definitely advise your tenants to contact the letting agents of the flat below - and keep a written record of the contacted person, and the agent's response. If the first contact to them is made by phone, follow up with an email saying 'Further to my call re .... I look forward to hearing from you as stated... (and refer to the date they said) or if no date given, make a note to follow up within a fixed time frame.

This would formalise the issue, creating a starting date of the first complaint. All communications need to be logged from there and followed up accordingly.

Whilst waiting for the agent's response, keep a log of all other disturbances from that flat.

Good luck. I hope this gets resolved quickly!

Paul

10:15 AM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

Report it to police every time . How bad would you feel if he kills her ? Many murders are domestic related. Domestic violence is still a high priority for police. When police visit, they will likely be asked who called them. I always used to say a dog walker or even a passing off duty cop. Every domestic incident WILL be recorded. Might even make it to the local ASB register. Once they are on the police radar. Something WILL happen.

Kizzie

11:21 AM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

Hi Judith
As I understand it you and others are directors of the residents man. Co. holding the freehold.
You hold a contract with letting agents or are they managing agents and paying them to act on your behalf to manage the property under provisions of your lease.
This noise is a nuisance and breached rights of leaseholders legal right to peace and enjoyment.
The LL of these tenants is your leaseholder and he must ensure compliance by his tenants of his lease.
This noise is a breach of his lease with you and as his freeholder apply to FTT for a section 146 law of property act forfeiture of his lease.
Keep records of complaints to file in court. In first instance the RMC as freeholder serves the LL notice that he is breaching terms of his lease a legally binding contract signed on behalf of the RMC directors and ensure it’s minuted.
You may need legal advice if you fear he will react aggressively

Neilt

12:00 PM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

In addition to the other good advice given, I would not only log the times and duration of the noise but record it also. Making it undeniable.

Peter Poupard

12:10 PM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

I agree with the suggestion to call the police. If the female victim has not contacted the police herself by now she is unlikely to in the future, and she is at real risk of serious harm. When you or your tenant do contact the police make sure you tell the operator to tell the attending officer not to reveal who the informant is. (the officer will probably know not to reveal it anyway ) I think the suggestion it was a passing off duty officer is a great idea though not the sort of thing the operator will do, it's not their role to tell the attending officer how to deal with the situation.

Michael Booth

13:20 PM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

Contact council environmental services they will sort it.

Caroline Ritchie

13:33 PM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

Contact the police, letting agent and the council. Not sure if you are a registered landlord? (We need to be up here in Scotland,) a complaint letter is sent to the landlord very quickly re any tenant issues. Take a note of every instance. Good luck.

David Houghton

22:01 PM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

Noise nuisance is dealt with by the local authority. Id suggest contact them

Simon F

15:01 PM, 27th January 2024, About 3 months ago

You can contact the council too. Environmental Health or Private Sector Housing team. Noise and nuisance is covered by Environmental legislation and councils have powers. But definitely need a proper record of the incidents, etc. as others have said.

Jonathan Clarke

11:32 AM, 7th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Notify the LA, EHO, PSH , Police, Local Councillors, DV organisations Keep a detailed Log of times and what is said / heard and record the noise if pos. Try to get support from others affected in the block and consider a jointly signed letter to add gravitas. Strength in numbers where disputed evidence may arise adds value to any complaint and adds legitimate pressure to the authorities to act . Consider the Press if no progress is made . All agencies will have 101 similar cases on their books so your aim is to move it up their in tray through a coordinated and professional approach. Good Luck

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