Awkward Neighbour Situation

LegacyUser

Hey, not sure if this is the best location for this, but don't want to be posting this under my normal account.

Me and my girlfriend moved into a house a few months ago. Pretty much from week #1 a man has been calling to our next door neighbour at all times of the day and night, shouting and yelling to be let in. He's kicked the doors, banged the doors, shouted and roared in the middle of the day, middle of the night, whenever.

We don't know what the story is behind this, but he has never been let in. As far as we can tell, he's been answered maybe twice, it came to a head last night at about 1:30 am when he spent about 10 or 15 minutes banging on the door until the woman next door answered, they proceeded to shout at each other for about anouther 10 or 15 minutes, it sounded like she slapped him more than once, then she slammed the door. He was threatening to stab her/hit her (and also never to hit her again - figure that one out) but eventually he left.

We were very close to ringing the guards, but what stopped us was that the neighbours are travellers, and tough cookies at that. This is the only issue we've had with them, normally they are fine. We don't want to draw any trouble onto ourselves, and we figured that as this has been going on so long they would have called the gardaí themselves if there was an issue.

It's lousy to say that because they're travellers is the reason we're worried about ringing the guards, but that's the truth. We don't know what we should do from here, but we're sick and tired of his constant callings. Even this morning at 8:30 he was back.

Any ideas on how best to handle this?

Daisy M

Personally speaking if I was in this situation I would move. I am presuming you are renting, give your landlord notice and find another place to live. If this is not possible I would do my best to turn a blind eye they each sound as bad as the other so I would leave them to it.

FishHook

If there is a Residence Association or Management Company for the area, you could pass details of your situation on to them, and they could contact the landlord of the property. If you have concerns, tell the Resident's Association/Management Company that you wish to remain anonymous.

username123

This has been going on for a few MONTHS and you are still there? Why?

Move. Tell the landlord why too.

ElleEm

I completely disagree with Daisy.
It's your home, you shouldn't have to move.

Call the Gardai the next time it happens. Stay anonymous if you feel safer. This man is breeching the peace, so even if the woman doesn't want the Gardai involved for the harassment, the Gardai should still proceed.

MissFlitworth

Call the Gardai. They're not going to tell the neighbour who it was that called them

username123

Do people really think that travellers will change their behaviour because of a visit from the Guards? Honestly?

Ickle Magoo

Do you rent or own OP?

If it's your house then it is going to be worth trying to sort it out...in that case I'd recommend a visit to your local Gardai station to ask what they recommend you do and perhaps get together with some of the other neighbours to see what can be done collectively.

If you rent then I'd let your landlord know it's impossible to live with the noise from the neighbours and you must leave immediately. Life's too short to be worrying about your safety/waiting for the next sleepless night from someone who clearly has no comprehension of civil/normal behaviour for the sake of staying that particular house out of the millions of rental properties available in the current climate.

All the best. :cool:

ElleEm

username123 wrote: »

Do people really think that travellers will change their behaviour because of a visit from the Guards? Honestly?

I can't believe people still tar ALL travellers with the same brush.

edellc

If the Op moves they risk loosing their deposit which most people cant afford to do these days, even if they give the Landlord a valid reason as to why they want to leave and enough notice.

Although you dont want to bring the guards into it, I do think it may be time that you did travellers or not you deserve a nights sleep from whoever this idiot is....If you ring the guards dont give your name and hide your number so its all anonymous...however guards will only come when this is going on so you must ring then and its best to do it when he is around at night time also as its a breach of the peace, not saying every other time isnt but at half one in the morning its more annoying than at half one in the afternoon...you can also say its happening at a house down the road so as not to say your direct neighbour just in case you get a guard with a loose tongue.

If however you do think your landlord will give deposit back or you can take the hit, or get someone to take over the lease by all means go for it, but if not then I really wouldnt fancy staying for the remainder of my lease with this going on and would call the guards each and every time it happens, its probably not the womans fault this man is calling, maybe a scorned lover, or a drunk son that is now an outcast but either way it should not be effecting your peace and quiet and enjoyment of your home.

ElleEm

edellc wrote: »

If the Op moves they risk loosing their deposit which most people cant afford to do these days, even if they give the Landlord a valid reason as to why they want to leave and enough notice.

Although you dont want to bring the guards into it, I do think it may be time that you did travellers or not you deserve a nights sleep from whoever this idiot is....If you ring the guards dont give your name and hide your number so its all anonymous...however guards will only come when this is going on so you must ring then and its best to do it when he is around at night time also as its a breach of the peace, not saying every other time isnt but at half one in the morning its more annoying than at half one in the afternoon...you can also say its happening at a house down the road so as not to say your direct neighbour just in case you get a guard with a loose tongue.

If however you do think your landlord will give deposit back or you can take the hit, or get someone to take over the lease by all means go for it, but if not then I really wouldnt fancy staying for the remainder of my lease with this going on and would call the guards each and every time it happens, its probably not the womans fault this man is calling, maybe a scorned lover, or a drunk son that is now an outcast but either way it should not be effecting your peace and quiet and enjoyment of your home.

In relation to losing their deposit, I don't think this would happen.
Surely there would be some clause in the lease where if there is a noise issue, they would be entitled to leave.

username123

ElleEm wrote: »

I can't believe people still tar ALL travellers with the same brush.

Eh, for months now there has been someone calling to the house screaming and shouting and fighting on a public street at any time of the day or night. Making threats of violence and shouting of incidences of past violence.

Do these sound like the actions of someone who will listen to a quiet word from the Guards?

neemish

Go to the local Garda station and ask to speak to the Community Gardai.

I had a similar situation a few years ago. Spoke to the Guards and they called to the other house to make sure everything was ok. Also, when they were doing their "rounds" at night, they'd pass by the house a few times a week and keep an eye. I did have to call them one night during a particularly loud and violent sounding fight.

The Guards were great - said it was important to ring and to keep a log of noise, fights etc in case anything ever happened

edellc

ElleEm wrote: »

In relation to losing their deposit, I don't think this would happen.
Surely there would be some clause in the lease where if there is a noise issue, they would be entitled to leave.

If you have ever had a lease then you would know that a clause to do with noise issues is just laughable and never exists, and you obviously have never had to deal with landlords in Ireland either, pop over to the accommodation section and your eyes will be open but have a stiff drink too as it is shocking what they get away with.

They would lose a deposit if they break a lease as the landlord would have to re-advertise the property so that can be deducted, cleaning the property for new tenants that can be deducted both of these can be substantial amounts taken out of deposits, and there is usually a clause in the lease in favour of Landlord to withhold all deposit for breaking a lease early regardless of the issue...that is unless the building falls down even then I would imagine a lot of Landlords would try blame that on the tenant, so having a noisy neighbour (and its not even the neighbour its a person who calls to the neighbour) is not a reason for a lease to be broken

snickerpuss

edellc wrote: »

ElleEm wrote: »

In relation to losing their deposit, I don't think this would happen.
Surely there would be some clause in the lease where if there is a noise issue, they would be entitled to leave.

If you have ever had a lease then you would know that a clause to do with noise issues is just laughable and never exists, and you obviously have never had to deal with landlords in Ireland either, pop over to the accommodation section and your eyes will be open but have a stiff drink too as it is shocking what they get away with.

They would lose a deposit if they break a lease as the landlord would have to re-advertise the property so that can be deducted, cleaning the property for new tenants that can be deducted both of these can be substantial amounts taken out of deposits, and there is usually a clause in the lease in favour of Landlord to withhold all deposit for breaking a lease early regardless of the issue...that is unless the building falls down even then I would imagine a lot of Landlords would try blame that on the tenant, so having a noisy neighbour (and its not even the neighbour its a person who calls to the neighbour) is not a reason for a lease to be broken

They are entitled to peaceful enjoyment of their home though and this would surely come under that.

edellc

of course they are entitled to peaceful enjoyment of their home, but you tell that to a landlord and try break a lease due to someone who doesnt live next door but keeps hammering the door down you want to end your lease and get your full deposit back and see how far it gets you, seriously if you have no experience renting then you really have no idea how landlords work and just because some randomer is banging down next door neighbours door at all hours it is not a reason to break a lease nor is there a prevision in any lease that I have had over the last 13 years renting, ever for this to be reason

Dont believe go over to accommodation forum and ask and you will get the same as I have said, so telling the poster to quit the premises with little regard to the cost involved in moving and the cost involved with loosing a deposit and having to get a new one and months rent in advance, is a bit careless of you all tbh, its great being internet agony aunts but the poster is living in the real world with real costs involved and its easy on here to say yes pack up and get out, but doing it financially and logisically are two different things and not something that is as easy as you all make out, after all moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do in life and as a renter having to do it time and time again when all you want to do is settle in one place long term is another thing (and before you all pipe up about buying, there is a little thing called a deposit so again not so easy when you have no choice but to rent so how do you save for a deposit also with rising costs and frozen and decreased wages...not as black and white as it is on here really)

Also can I ask you good people who actually own their home, what would you do in this situation, since you all seem to be recommending moving, then what do you do put the house on the market?? and move or do what most of us normal people do which is ring the gardai

So OP speak to your LL by all means and as I have said if they allow it with out loosing out financially then go if not dont think you have much choice but to call the gardai anonymously

Ellsbells

ElleEm wrote: »

I can't believe people still tar ALL travellers with the same brush.

You have obviously never lived beside them then. You don't cross a traveller and come out the better of it.

Taltos

OK - can I ask everyone to deal with this issue sensitively. Anymore comments like those we have already seen will not be tolerated. Generalisations / racial stereotyping are not welcome in PI. Any racist comments will result in an immediate vacation from PI.

Taltos

xzanti

I would cut my losses and hot foot it out of there if I were you OP.

Don't call the Gardai, there is probably very little they can do, but seeing a squad car pull up can be like a red rag to a bull to some people.. they will simply turn their anger on you.

LegacyUser

xzanti wrote: »

I would cut my losses and hot foot it out of there if I were you OP.

Don't call the Gardai, there is probably very little they can do, but seeing a squad car pull up can be like a red rag to a bull to some people.. they will simply turn their anger on you.

I disagree. I called the guards on a similar situation and it helped immensely. It is a domestic and calls are done anonymously with no questions asked and are always taken seriously. It is a domestic dispute and something the guards do not take lightly. Call exactly when it happens and hopefully they will get their in time, arresting him during the process.

I have no problems calling the guards on something like that. If it were something that I would be able to discuss with the neighbours first, then I would do that. But being in your situation, it is better to call the guards as they would not encourage you at all to go speak to the neighbours. It is their job to handle this not your landlord and certainly not yourself.

artvanderlay

<<MOD SNIP>>

Did he look like this guy? Seriously though, move. You will always have some trouble living beside travellers. Even if your neighbours are decent, they will have ties to people who are not. Life's too short to waste it getting stressed.

Taltos

artvanderlay has earned a weeks vacation from PI for ignoring the mod warning.

Taltos