Neighbour 'feud' Dilemma

[swee'pea99]

I haven't read the whole thread, but I'd suggest taking the issue and all related paperwork to your nearest citizens advice bureau and asking for their advice. They're generally very good - and free.

 

[Over The Hill]

Update:

1. I found my contract. It is very specific about what things you can and cannot keep within the property. There is no mention of bicycles.

2. I have now received a letter from my agency stating that I am not allowed to keep bicycles in the property so as to avoid marks and damage.

3. My flatmates BSO, also kept outside the property like my now stolen cheap bike, was stolen last week.

4. My insurance does not cover any bikes that are not kept behind locked doors within the property.

5. We are on a rolling month by month contract, so the agency could decide to terminate the contract at any time with 4 weeks notice.

6. We have a legal advice line given to us at work. I shall be making use of it on Monday.

7. We pay a combined rent of £700 per month - I don't think any possible cleaning work or minor repainting to remove any currently non-existent marks on the property would be worth losing even one month of rent for the agency or landlord.

8. My flatmate, whilst he has been helpful advising me, wants no part of this and doesn't want any negative effects on himself.

9. I think my best course of action will be to write a letter to my agency, stating I am sorry for these issues coming up, stating my bikes whilst they have caused marks have caused no damage and any marks are easily cleaned off, and I am happy to take responsibility for this. However they must understand my bikes are my main means of transport, that I simply cannot keep them anywhere else, especially as it is not secure (nor insured) to keep them outside, and that I am not in breach of my contract by keeping them. I am however happy to come to some kind of mutually amicable compromise should one be possible - but if they are insistent the bikes go, then I will have to go also.

Do not admit anything!!!

Agency will not be bothered to come and look. They will not take your word against the a** upstairs and the marks and tatty hall have been like it for years.

Just ensure you do not mark the walls now and carry on.

 

[biglad]

Man,

This was a disheartening read. I can understand those neighbours being pissed off, sure. But there are ways and means by which conflict can be resolved and these guys have gone about it the absolute wrong way. What could have resulted in an apology and a mutual agreement has instead lead to threats and ganging up... That really isn't on.

I wish I could offer some practical advice but apart from my sympathies I'm afraid I can offer you nowt accept to say best of luck with it all mate, really hope it all works out in the end.

 

[2Loose]

Sorry to hear about this grief Jezston.

Sounds like all of this would not have happened if the new tenants had tried a quick word rather than an ultimatum.
I am sure your landlord does not want to lose out on rent while looking for a new tenant and they cannot change your contract without you agreeing.


Get some more bikes and lock them up in the hallway for the time being

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Jezston, I live in a block of flats and because we own our property we pay into a management committee for upkeep, renovation and repairs of all communal areas and structural works. I would expect with your situation there may be something similar. If you rent your flat then it would be your landlord's responsibility to pay into management committee funds for upkeep (we pay ours once a month).

I'd suggest that they hadn't paid for the painting all themselves, that, in fact, they'd paid their bit toward the overall cost because they are owners. This shouldn't go against you because you rent. Your landlord would have contributed to this fund, something you could also point out to them.

Also, most landlords take on an agency because they don't want the hassle themselves and likewise as a tenant you too should pass the concerns of your neighbours onto them, the agency. Don't get into full blown confrontation but I'd be very surprised if there was anything in your contract that said no bikes in your flat.

Failing common sense and you sound fairly level headed to be upset about this - I would be, how about organising the next Critical Mass on the stairwell of your rented property?

 

[mangaman]

Update:

1. I found my contract. It is very specific about what things you can and cannot keep within the property. There is no mention of bicycles.

2. I have now received a letter from my agency stating that I am not allowed to keep bicycles in the property so as to avoid marks and damage.

I agree with OTH. Don't go admitting stuff that you haven't agreed to.

Either you are allowed to keep bikes, or not. In your case you clearly are.

It seems from 1) that you are.

As I said earlier - just clean off any marks you make carrying them in.

I don't want to sound critical, but I've lived under similar tenancies. I occasionally hit the walls leaving a mark - but I always managed to rub it off.

If you create a huge dent in the wall - I guess you'd have to repair that, but a bit it's a bit far fetched, and you'd have to fork out the dosh (just as if you were carrying in a new washing machine or whatever)

 

[Fnaar]

ooOOOOOooooh!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Don't suppose they'd want me on mavericktv as I'm not having a feud with my neighbour, he's just a nob and his slab-arsed missus is a sour-faced old trout.

Oh, mavericktv's post seems to have vanished!

 

[mr Mag00]

get mickle to send you a sticker

 

[Howard]

+ 1 to the don't admit responsibility for anything approach.

I reckon that if you drag this situation out for long enough everyone will get tired of it and you'll be allowed to do what you want to do again.

So drag it out. Make noises that make it sound like you are being compliant. Be very lackadaisical about replying to any offcial correspondence. And when you do reply, be noncommittal but remind them of your fantastic history of paying your rent on time. Don't agree to any new conditions but don't disagree with them either.

Landlords like tenants who pay the rent on time. You are not the PITA here, it's your neighbors. Your landlord and your agent will get tired of your neighbors' whining after a while, and just ignore them.

And of course make good any damage you do to the sacred hallway.

Remember that evicting people or finding new tenants is exactly what landlords and agents dread the most. play on this.

 

[Jezston]

What did I miss?

Did some unpaid researcher from some crappy tv company google 'neighbour feud' and spam the forum?

In other news, I spoke to the legal helpline. Was told - not in contract, can't do anything. Only issue is as mentioned my contract is rolling so they could demand I sign a new contract. Phoned on tuesday and told them this, said bike is a necessity, if they were to insist I sign a new contract saying no bike I would have to refuse it, do they really want to pay their lawyers to write me a new contract and risk losing months of rent over this? They said they'd call me back. Have heard nothing. But then that always happens when they say they'll call me back.

 

[dellzeqq]

in the end, Jezzer, this comes down to money. If you damage the property you can expect to have the money for making good lifted out of your deposit. Your best course of action is to

a) keep the bikes in the flat - obstructing a communal hallway is both inconsiderate and almost certainly a breach of your lease. It could also be dangerous - think through the escape from fire thing
b) make good the damage yourself if you can do so cheaply. Before and after photographs would be sensible. Making good does not mean rubbing the marks off - it means cleaning and overpainting, and repairing any scuffs.

And, as others have said - if the lease doesn't mention bikes then write to the agent asking them where in the lease it does mention bikes.

Meanwhile - how much do you like the flat? Look around for a new place, because the chances are that your neighbours are going to be upset. Standing on your rights is one thing, but leading a happy life is another.