Scummy neighbours.

[Mr Speirs]

I live in a nice quiet cul de sac (which quite literally means bottom of the sack incidently) in a secluded part of a small village and whilst house prices are low rents are relatively high due to location and style of property.

Until recently when my dipstick of a neighbour decided to rent his place out informally/privately as he got a job over in Milton Keynes. As his place was a **** tip and despite me advising him that he could get £200 a month more by giving it a lick of paint and going through a proper lettings agent he asks around at the pub if anyone is interested in renting his place for £400 a month.

Low and behold he gets a nibble from a mother and daughter from the dodgiest part of Northampton. They tell him they own a cleaning business together (they don't).

Moving in day comes and they 'forget' to bring the first month rent and deposit. He lets them move in anyway.
A few weeks later he still hasn't got his deposit and subsequently finds out they have no intention of paying anything and have done this numerous times before to other landlords.

Now my old neighbour is a idiot but no one deserves to be left with the mortgage to pay whilst these scummy bottom feeders live in his house for nowt! To top it all they changed the locks and issued him with an harassment order after getting in contact to find out where his deposit was! It's not like he has other houses and make a lot of money renting property he literally was just asking for his mortgage to be paid whilst he had to rent somewhere in MK to work.

They also don't work and claim benefits, now whilst they are big fat bitches they are still fit enough to take their dogs for a walk a few times a day so I'm sure there must be something in the working world they can do.

Worst thing is I see them everyday and all the neighbours know what they are doing but they don't seem to have any shame.

I was racking my brains trying to figure out a way for him to get them out then I realised it wasn't my business and I didn't actually care much as tbh he bought it on himself so I'm not really after suggestions as I frankly don't care. It's more the shock that I now share the same street as people who think it's ok to do this and they are 'just playing the game'

Incidentally they are also not paying any bills whilst they are there too.

Thieving *********

[yorkie_chris]

When the dogs go out walking their pets nip in with locksmith, pick and change locks.

[Bri w]

He needs to wait around the corner for when they both nip out with the dogs. He nips in and changes the locks...

Chris beat me to the draw

[yorkie_chris]

On the practicalities of the matter, is the harrassment deniable? Can he just say "what tennants, it never happened"?

If he goes down that route he may struggle to use the opposite argument to avoid paying bills they have racked up. Did they have any sort of tenancy agreement/contract?

[Mr Speirs]

When the dogs go out walking their pets nip in with locksmith, pick and change locks.

If it were me I'd probably go round and smash the windows on the front door and a couple of windows. Make it inhabitable and refuse to repair them.

[Mr Speirs]

The staggering is the tenants aren't doing anything illegal. They know the law inside and out. Entering the premises and changing locks would be considered trespassing. With or without a tenancy agreement.

[yorkie_chris]

The problem is he's damaging his own stuff. Better to get back in, chuck everything out. If there's no contract or other evidence then the job is a good un. He needs legal advice, preferably the sort who will give him down to earth advice about the likely result of any slightly unorthodox methods.

They'll be doing some right damage inside, no doubt, so need to act fast.


I would suggest going in stealthily and disabling everything, power, water, heating, cooking facilities etc. but you'd need to do it safely. Dogs make it difficult depending how extreme he's willing to be. The just way to do it would be a sledgehammer at 5am and turf everything out into the street.

[yorkie_chris]

The staggering is the tenants aren't doing anything illegal. They know the law inside and out. Entering the premises and changing locks would be considered trespassing. With or without a tenancy agreement.

Load all property in a waiting van "we were helping them move officer"


I am not a lawyer... but I reckon you need to be far enough outside the system that they don't even consider trying to "play" you as part of it. Just do as you wish... if there has been no tenancy agreement, no money changing hands... are they entitled to the rights as a tenant? In court could you reasonably deny they were ever tenants and were just unwelcome guests? Lodgers? I dunno.

[Mr Speirs]

Yeah but the cost of him replacing a few windows far outweighs the lost money on deposit and 8 months of rent.

He's taken legal advice. Heres what it has told him. From what he's told me you understand.
He has to let them stay the agreed term: 6 Months. He then has to wait 2 months of non rental paying before he can issue an eviction notice. If they don't leave willingly he has to pay for a bailiff to turf them out forcibly. Even then whilst legally they have to pay for all legal proceedings and rent it's unlikely they pay up.

[Teejayexc]

If it was me I'd hire my own *rent collectors*, in a place like Northampton I suspect there's a thriving business doing just that.

[Mr Speirs]

What do you mean 'in a place like Northampton'?

[Fallout]

Here's an idea. Wait till they go out. Enter property. Empty about 50 pints of milk on all carpets. You have no idea how horrific that is and how impossible it is to get the smell out without professional carpet cleaning, which clearly they'd never pay for.

I'll think up some more later.

[Spank86]

Take a dump on their doorstep.

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah but the cost of him replacing a few windows far outweighs the lost money on deposit and 8 months of rent.

He's taken legal advice. Heres what it has told him. From what he's told me you understand.
He has to let them stay the agreed term: 6 Months. He then has to wait 2 months of non rental paying before he can issue an eviction notice. If they don't leave willingly he has to pay for a bailiff to turf them out forcibly. Even then whilst legally they have to pay for all legal proceedings and rent it's unlikely they pay up.

Sod that for a game. I'd definitely be using unconventional means.

First surveillance, then go in when they're out, disable everything. It would depend what dogs they have, I'm presuming some sort of half mad staffies in which case if the first step didn't work then they'd come home to find them blown apart with shotgun fire.

While being very quiet. No demands they leave. No contact at all. If the police ask then he's just waiting his 6 months until he can legally evict.

[andrewsmith]

Yeah but the cost of him replacing a few windows far outweighs the lost money on deposit and 8 months of rent.

He's taken legal advice. Heres what it has told him. From what he's told me you understand.
He has to let them stay the agreed term: 6 Months. He then has to wait 2 months of non rental paying before he can issue an eviction notice. If they don't leave willingly he has to pay for a bailiff to turf them out forcibly. Even then whilst legally they have to pay for all legal proceedings and rent it's unlikely they pay up.

If he legally gets them evicted for non payment of rent and squatting (if the former doesn't work), at said eviction date, if they don't go under their steam or the baliffs cut the utilites and cause hell.

I have been party to a version of this (removed out, locks changed then evicted) for similar reasons. If they haven't paid council tax on the property, he would get backing for the eviction (councils take a dim view on non payment and will hound for it)

edit: squatting will get them out quicker if there is no formal contract (one word against the other)

[Runako]

Yeah but the cost of him replacing a few windows far outweighs the lost money on deposit and 8 months of rent.

He's taken legal advice. Heres what it has told him. From what he's told me you understand.
He has to let them stay the agreed term: 6 Months. He then has to wait 2 months of non rental paying before he can issue an eviction notice. If they don't leave willingly he has to pay for a bailiff to turf them out forcibly. Even then whilst legally they have to pay for all legal proceedings and rent it's unlikely they pay up.

Sorry mate, that's garbage.

If there is no tenancy agreement and nothing to show that there was an intention to let the property (i.e. notice to utlities, correspondence etc) then there is no tenancy.

Ok, assuming there may have been a few texts flying around - "pay me my bloody rent you scroungers" - there isn't a requirement to wait six months before issuing notice. As mentioned, if rent is unpaid for 2 months (Ground 8 - Housing Act), the Section 21 Notice can be issued at any time after this, but becomes effective on the expiry of the fixed term.

In anticipation of a breach of the notice, the landlord can seek accelerated eviction proceedings once the notice becomes effective.

Also there are certain circumstances in which allow landlords to repossess the property at short notice (Grounds for Possession: The Housing Act 1988).

Then there is this - Clause 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act:

Offence of squatting in a residential building

(1)A person commits an offence if—
(a)the person is in a residential building as a trespasser having entered it as a trespasser,
(b)the person knows or ought to know that he or she is a trespasser, and
(c)the person is living in the building or intends to live there for any period.

So your friend either needs to hold out one of two positions, that there was never a tenancy in place (in which case 144 applies) or they are in breach of the lease (Eviction Proceedings).

The proper way to deal with these tenants is to set out exactly what will happen, step by step, if they don't vacate. Most importantly explain the consequences of failing to vacate and put this in the form of a recorded delivery letter, also advising that further letters will be sent periodically until Eviction Proceedings begin on the specified date, at which point he will sue them for lost rent/property damage and pursue through Bailiff's.

I can't understand why he simply doesn't contact the utility companies and ask to suspend or terminate all utilities. If there is no formal tenancy agreement, there is no obligation to provide this amenity.

[Pete7]

Bung them £500 and tell them to **** off, or he moves back in and changes the locks then squats in his own house after they left he back door open.

Pete

[Mr Speirs]

Sorry mate, that's garbage.

Elegantly put.

Look I don't know/care about the ins and outs of the legal rubbish. Not really interested in finding a solution for him.

Maybe we should turn this into the most outlandish ways to attempt and evict the scummy fat ********* without making it obviously you.

Wait til their out and super glue in the door lock. If they get it fixed keep doing it.
I like YC's idea of entering and cutting off all amenities.
Milk on carpets is a great idea.
The old kipper behind the radiator?

[dizzyblonde]

Won't like it for long if the utilities cut them off. I'm presuming as they gave no rent, bond, signed an agreement, they won't be paying council tax nor even bothered to contact a utility company to set up an account. Therefore your neighbour is likely to still be the bill payer on the utilities, so can call them up with an enquiry and get them cut off immediately

[Runako]

Elegantly put.

That's in reference to the advice he says he got.

Yeah, sorry for all the info as I know you said you weren't looking for solutions. But you might end up helping yourself by helping your neighbor. You never know. Perhaps just point him in the right direction - http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/

[dizzyblonde]

I've lived next door to the Dingles, its not pleasant. As Runako says help him to help yourself.

I waited two years for the family from hell to go away. Eventually they did a moonlight flit and the bank reposessed the house. I'm certain it would be far easier to get rid of your fatty bottomed girls than the Dingles

[tonyk]

Wait till they go out (with the dogs )..........

...........AN EARLY AR13 ............

dont worry we wont trash the place.

[Biker Biggles]

I bet you and the others in the road dont want scum like this living there either,so you could all get together and do yourselves and your mate a favour.Wait till he is at work with a good alibi and then "visit" the scum armed with balaclavas and baseball bats.A few choice words making it clear that they should leave and never come back will persuade them to do just that.Job done.

[Teejayexc]

Wait till he is at work with a good alibi and then "visit" the scum armed with balaclavas and baseball bats.

They would probably think it was a party!

Cut the piano strings fat birds always seem to have up their ar5e and wait for 'em to go to Primarks to get some more.

[dizzyblonde]

They would probably think it was a party!

Cut the piano strings fat birds always seem to have up their ar5e and wait for 'em to go to Primarks to get some more.



You expect someone to foraging for piano strings on a fat bird?



One step too far....too far! :puker:

[andrewsmith]

You expect someone to foraging for piano strings on a fat bird?



One step too far....too far! :puker:

Be with their moose knuckles

To far??

sent from a phone

[EssexDave]

I'd cut of water, gas, electric be done with it. If questioned in Court, I couldn't afford it.

[Stuuk1]

Not read all of the posts here so apologise if I cover something that has already been covered..

Unless you consulted the bank prior to renting out your property, even if you make no money, it is against the law.

If you did not sign a contract with them and there is no paperwork then your only choice is to do as Chris suggested, call the locksmith in. They have no foot to stand on, he can simply deny everything.

If it were me, I would do the above and go armed with friends. All of their stuff would be loaded in to a large van and taken to a tip in multiple cars at different times. It would also help if your friends were in the police... ;)

Leave it too long and it will get worse and worse as more and more people move in.

As for the OP, you need to be interested because this affects you and your neighbours even if it means that every night for the next few weeks everyone goes out at 2,3,4,5 am and sounds their car horns until they come out of the house.

If they are the type of people it sounds like, then there will be plenty of them turning up very soon and causing trouble which you could do without.

[yorkie_chris]

On the other hand you've now got carte blanche to have a bit of a laugh. You could REALLY mess with them :)

Can't be too hard to get hold of some sleeping pills to sort the dogs out, next thing a string of bangers under someones bed at 3am or they wake up the next morning to find the living room has been covered in plastic sheeting and there's an open suitcase in the middle of the floor and pigs blood liberally sloshed everywhere like a scene from snatch...


Alternatively slightly more puerile things to do... vandal grease their doors, make sure the paths get a good soaking... it's meant to freeze tonight ;), throw rotting meat into the garden (nobody likes their dog redecorating the place), you could go on for ages! As a concerned neighbor you should definitely do this :)

[andrewsmith]

YC have you been upset by yours yet?

[yorkie_chris]

Neighbors? What are they?

[andrewsmith]

Neighbors? What are they?

Thought so
Nearest one then?

[Pete7]

On the other hand you've now got carte blanche to have a bit of a laugh. You could REALLY mess with them :)


How about leaving a cannabis plant on the door step which they are bound to take into the house and a mystery phone call to dib them in, should give he owner a few hours to sort the place out.

Pete

[yorkie_chris]

I heard about some fat woman had a disagreement in a pub and threatened to shoot someone.
Apparently she'd stolen a gun from her ex boyfriend who was a bit of a dealer.

Be a bit of a shame if some armed response unit had broken the door down and searched the place wouldn't it.

[Sir Trev]

Are there plenty of taxi firms in the area? An unregistered PAYG mobile booking a 3am pickup every night (in rotation so the firms don't twig) would be irritating. Pizza showing up at 4am every night? Pest control emergency callout for infestation? Plumber for blockage?

All this is very unfair on local businesses of course and is not something I would ever suggest people actually do.

[punyXpress]

Here's an idea. Wait till they go out. Enter property. Empty about 50 pints of milk on all carpets. You have no idea how horrific that is and how impossible it is to get the smell out without professional carpet cleaning, which clearly they'd never pay for.

I'll think up some more later.
From OP's description of the 'chix' it probably smells worse than that already?

[Jayneflakes]

Wait until they go out, enter quietly and head for the loft. In the space above the main bedroom, wire in some speakers, add around the house and then wire in a long play MP3 player of ghost sounds.

Add in leaving things to rot and decay in buckets under the floor to give an extra spooky atmosphere. before you know it, the house is condemned as haunted!

Not my idea, got this one from Tom Sharpe from his book The Throw Back in which a young man is forced to cause a group of tenants to exit a terrace of houses. It is extremely nasty, very funny and well worth reading.

The easy way to get them out, spray paint a badly spelled "PEDO" and "we will be back!" on the front door and then repeated post them my favorite gift of all, a lunchbox full of runny turds!

[Fallout]

These are all good suggestions, but I feel the most obvious has been forgotten: murder. There's nout a good bit of murder won't fix. Just the other day someone parked partially blocking my drive. I murdered them and they've not been back since. Just a thought.

[tigersaw]

You have their name and address?
Apply for several payday loans on the internet.
Make sure you put tenant, rented, scrounging scum, and ask for £1000
they will be harrased by callers I promise

[Owenski]

Your neighbour needs to phone the utilities ASAP and get them shut off.
Once they're living in less than idea conditions then you can really mess with them.

[Spank86]

They dont sound like they're going to be the brightest most bractical couple so I suggest nipping out in the night and turning their water stop tap to "off".

Lots of houses have one at the foot of their drives, look out for spiders.

[flymo]

When the dogs go out walking their pets nip in with locksmith, pick and change locks.

+ 1

I did similar for a friend, when they left the house we screwed the doors shut and waited.

[xXBADGERXx]

I hear that these 2 can clear the place out for you
http://boeatau.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/article-0-136243db000005dc-766_634x7971.jpg

[punyXpress]

You haven't caught Mrs Puny at her best there, xXBADGERXx

[xXBADGERXx]

You haven't caught Mrs Puny at her best there, xXBADGERXx
Is that the one on the right ?

[widepants]

badger you bad bad man

[punyXpress]

. . with the moustache?

[xXBADGERXx]

Yup :)

[andrewsmith]

how about something down these lines at theirs (in the drains)

http://youtu.be/xDEira01c0Q

xDEira01c0Q

[Jayneflakes]

Being a poo obsessed weirdo, I favour this technique. :smt082

6SO-RPx9IRc