Forum Topic

Ideas to combat serious noise problem - private apt

Just wondering if anyone has any good ideas to deal with a noise issue from one apartment in small private block of apartments in Chiswick.On a regular basis these people have people round and have noisy, frightening and what seems like drug fuelled parties. They are not savoury people and can party for over 24 hours. They dont seem to worry if police call (just start up again after they go) but have terrorised neighbouring apartments by banging on neighbouring doors after police leave - threatening residents for calling police. People are now too afraid to complain. The resident is family of the owner of the apartment so no recourse to landlord or that they will move out any time soon. Its now at stage some residents including elderly people are suffering mentally. Council not a lot of help except asking us to log events but do very little. Seems like one resident can terrorise a whole block and know that nothing can really be done

Tom Brown ● 1918d21 Comments

Hounslow I believe, still has the noise patrol team but I think it only operates at weekends if that could help? I would also speak to your local councillors.

Vanessa Smith ● 1918d

In the past I have had loads of problems with horrible neighbours -  luckily not now I moved 12 years ago - one side of my terraced house had 30 people each weekend all screaming in their garden and house - yand then a delightful teenager playing drums the other side- it nearly sent me mad !!!! Council did absolutely nothing- moved eventually from my house as new person was deaf and did not hear the noise - I feel for you.  And I can only hope you deal with this-  it all cost me a fortune.

Helen Bamberger ● 1918d

Although the resident is family of the landlord, would it be a good idea to contact him or her about this? They may be horrified to find out what is going on. You do need evidence for the Council - a noise diary with recordings would be needed I think. Once you have enough to prove your case surely the Council would be able to act? If not, legal action?

Iris Hill ● 1918d

You say the parties seem drug-fuelled.  If you have evidence for this, then the police might be able to do something - if they think that it's only (!) noise / nuisance there may be little that they can do.

Andrzej Kowalski ● 1918d

It might also be a good idea to record and/or video any anti social behaviour if you can as evidence.

Vanessa Smith ● 1918d

You could join in as an anonymous bogus party goer, taking with you a punnet of shrimps which surreptitiously you could introduce bits of shrimp into varied 'party  property's hidey holes'. Suggestion: between the floorboards, under carpets, numerous hidden spots in the bathroom, keyholes, pasted up chimneys, inside tubular furniture, dropped behind utilitarian kitchen fittings ~ the opportune choice is legion ~ whereupon very soon after making your thankful goodbyes to the horrid host an expectant mighty stink is set forth of an unbearable rotting stench within the offending partying household as to send the occupants mad to want to flee as they surely will.

Bobbie Carnegie ● 1918d

Thank you to everyone who has kindly responded. Unfortunately its not a party thats open to all. Its the same nasty people all the time - maybe 5 or 6. I never know when it is going to happen - could be during the week or weekend. I suspect its drug related because of the off their head type of behaviour like someone hanging out the window at 7am screaming at the top of their voices. Im not against the odd party which at worst can go on till 5 or 6 but sometimes carries right on until next day. We are trying to log/record as much as possible but not sure the council will do much. Its the owners son  living there and from the block manager I dont think the owner is very savoury either. Anyway thanks again for your suggestions.

Tom Brown ● 1917d

Owner of the flat must be in breach of their lease so normally, contacting/informing owners/managing agents of the block would be a way forward, or taking independent legal action against them over 'quiet enjoyment', etc., particularly if all other residents act together. If threatened with forfeiture, the flat owner might at least get rid of troublesome residents. Danger is that in a small block they might know who complained and there'd be trouble, and it's not a quick process. If neighbours are actually threatening, a court order can help, as repeat behaviour is contempt of court and can have greater penalties than the actual behaviour. Otherwise, it's up to council anti-social behaviour enforcement team - or get the boys round!

Peter Evans ● 1917d

It sounds awful. Try contacting your local councillor.

Carl Wynne ● 1917d

Thank you. I think legal action may be the way forward - From research I think the there may be a case as they are breaking their lease big time. Not sure if it would be prohibitively expensive. I would def consider getting the boys around - thats how bad it is but dont have friends in low places lol.

Tom Brown ● 1917d

as opposed to contacting the council? Do you think that would be better?

Tom Brown ● 1917d

Your Councillor will give you advice and lobby the Council on your behalf. No problem in doing this in tandem though.

Carl Wynne ● 1917d

My previous posted suggestion I know was penned with a bit of ribaldry only by way of hopefully lightening and lifting the domestic experienced horror with a few encouraging words from a fishmonger. That said ~ an holistic gathering of other residents of the block of flats equally affected should all combine with their named and signed opprobrium toward the targeted 'drug den' and at the same time with one accord petition local councillors, MP, appropriate faith leaders, police, the local press and the landlord and say "Enough Is Enough". This may require a committee is set up among the residents to be convened that also invites said 'horrid party resident' to join by way of seriously and legally settling what is acceptable by way of residential noise pollution.

Bobbie Carnegie ● 1917d

Best if police or council show an interest.  If you suspect drug dealing is going on in your building, the police have powers to issue a closure notice for 3–6 months during which time the property will be sealed and entering it will be an offence.. Anyone can ask the police or local authority to apply to a magistrates' court for an ASBO against someone causing alarm, distress or harassment. ASBOs are civil orders that prohibit a person from specific activities and from entering a defined area. They are used to tackle more serious forms of antisocial behaviour, including verbal abuse and intimidation. Then there's an injunction, breach of which is contempt of court.Taking action for breach of lease covenants can be long-winded and usually relies on a cooperative freeholder or managing agent being prepared to take it on and write the required threatening letters. Citizens Advice should be able to give an overview of these options and point you in the right direction.

Peter Evans ● 1917d

The council will at some point issue a letter but it’s all a bit weak. We had some very loud and aggressive neighbours nearby who were shouting’ We don’t care’ in the garden at one point. Fortunately, the owner sold the property.If they are drugged up, just be careful. It helps if you co-ordinate with the others in the block and call the council separately.  It’s a horrible position to be in.

Stewart Jones ● 1917d

Again thank you to everyone who responded to this. There are many suggestions which we will look into - it is quite a horrible situation, particularly as many of residents  seem too frightened now to take any action and some are quite elderly. Sorry I cant respond individually but each response is very much appreciated.

Tom Brown ● 1917d

Peter,Many thanks for your responses. As at least one of the flat residents has been threatened by these people - there may be more that I havent heard about-  after the police had called out so there might be a case for applying for an Asbo.

Tom Brown ● 1917d

Tom, what a terrible situation to be in, maybe the police could leave oneofficer there with one of you to see what happens after they leave.

Janice Evans ● 1917d

Tom.Is their landlord the owner of the flat or the owner of the block? If just the flat, then contact the freehold owner of the block as these people would seem to be in breach of normal lease conditions, and the flat owner could lose his lease.If the landlord is the freehold owner of the block then you have a much bigger problem. Contact CAB for advice perhaps? Whatever I wish you luck.

David Halliday ● 1917d

David,Thankfully he is the owner of the flat only. And I think that is the route we will go down though I think it is long winded. My hope is that if the owner of the lease gets really serious about addressing this problem that they will make serious threats to remove their lease.The  main problem seems to be getting residents to put their heads above the parapet as they are worried about who they are dealing with here.Thanks for replying.

Tom Brown ● 1916d

Thank you Janice. The problem is often getting police to attend at all when at its worst. They often are too busy or disinterested but sometimes just knock their door and they don't respond and they leave. Anyway I refuse to be intimidated by people like this and will not let them get away with this. Will get it sorted one way or the other.

Tom Brown ● 1916d