Refuse nightmare, rats!
I am at my wits end with a refuse nightmare and rats!
I’ve been doing up a building containing 3 flats for about a year. When we started the project there was a large amount of refuse in the back yard of the property and in the alleyway adjacent to it. I phoned the environment department at Blackpool Council and got the predictable “if it’s on your land it is your problem” assistance! I arranged for the removal of my rubbish and told the Council to deal with the refuse in the alleyway (binbags with household waste, mattresses, rats) as it was a public health hazard.
My builder phoned me yesterday and told me that a tenant from some other flats bordering this alleyway was throwing bags of refuse over my wall. Now I know where the original mess came from!
I don’t know who to approach first: The Council – who I consider haven’t removed refuse from an area under their responsibility despite me having alerted them to the problem, the tenants of the other property – this may lead to an ugly confrontation, the landlord of the other property – but how do I find his details?
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks
Chris Lees
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Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 646 - Articles: 1
4:23 PM, 20th May 2014, About 12 years ago
if this is in the licensing area then the council should apply pressure on the LL as this is ASB.
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12196 - Articles: 1396
4:25 PM, 20th May 2014, About 12 years ago
Hi Chris
I have yet to encounter this issue so I can’t give you any advice on who to contact first as I have no first hand practical experience to base my thoughts on.
However, I can tell you that it should be very easy to track down the owner of the other tenanted property and will only cost you £3 to do so – see >>> http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/public/property-ownership
Good luck
.
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 2
4:40 PM, 20th May 2014, About 12 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Mark Alexander” at “20/05/2014 – 16:25“:
Thanks Mark, my gut tells me that the Council should shoulder some responsibilty here. Needless to say, I pay them £3000 per year for a vacant property!
Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 38
4:46 PM, 20th May 2014, About 12 years ago
We had a similar problem and reported the matter to the community police, who went through it all to find evidence of the ‘owner’ of the rubbish and they contacted the council to have it removed.
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 61
6:30 PM, 20th May 2014, About 12 years ago
Sounds like fly tipping – inform the council.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 184 - Articles: 1
7:20 PM, 20th May 2014, About 12 years ago
Hello Chris, send an email to the person you spoke to at the council, cc environmental health officer on it. (fly tipping) They have crews that go around picking this stuff up. On your email kindly inform them that if you spend money on removal then you will take them to county court and inform the local newspaper of council’s response. The council are not above the law.
BUT the other way is to speak as nice as possible first, and always ask for public health officer. Tell them you have taken photos ready for the local newspaper, as you are very concerned for your tenants and nearby children. I NEVER tell the council I am a landlord, I tell them WE are a property company who pay tax and have solicitors working for us, and we can claim compensation for losses due to council’s negligence. YES did I say BE NICE.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 128
7:44 PM, 20th May 2014, About 12 years ago
Have you considered throwing his refuse back over his wall, once they realise they can’t get away with it anymore they’ll probably stop. The council should clear up the rubbish in the alley.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 1434
12:12 PM, 21st May 2014, About 12 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Roy B” at “20/05/2014 – 18:30“:
I believe that addressing fly tipping is the responsibility of the land owner, and the council will only do something if it is their land.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 184 - Articles: 1
11:05 PM, 21st May 2014, About 12 years ago
Hi, Kev here from AA Properties Wales. For the past 2 days I have been clearing 2 properties out back (nice weather), old carpets, couches, duvets etc that tenants threw out and did a runner, or new tenants did it. I have read the riot act to all of them, and made them sign my Landlords Repair Visit Book with time we worked. NOW I will send them all a bill. They may not pay it, but I will send them an unpaid invoice. Point is, it is up to us Landlords to take charge of our properties, AND BE SEEN around them, so nasty flytipping neighbours or tenants know we mean business. DO NOT GIVE UP, IT IS YOUR INVESTMENT, TAKE CHARGE!
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1308 - Articles: 10
11:42 PM, 21st May 2014, About 12 years ago
The neighbour of one of my properties is the freeholder of the land on which I have the leasehold. The freeholding neighbour has cleared his garden by removing the fence and dumping all his rubbish on to my garden and then he has put the fence back up and secured it. Thus, he has fly-tipped his rubbish into my garden, but the added complication is that he is is legal freeholder of the land he has dumped on. He has had a year to remove the rubbish, and kept breaking promises to do so, so I eventually reported him to the Council, and they have done nothing!!!! – Anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this one?