I live in a largish detached house on a big plot in a small close of 10 fairly similar houses' and have lived here for a number of years now. There is no social housing as far as i am aware off in this village. I have never even met 2 of the families in the close, i am on good terms with the neighbours on each side but we are not actually friends. In some ways you could say that we all have our own little expensive secluded prison. I bet the people you refer to enjoy their life in the street more than you or i do !
The problem is not so much your neighbours' behaviour but the poor quality of design of most new developments. They probably use their front garden like a back garden because that's the only outside space any of you have right? You have thought things through properly before moving in, or was help-to-buy clouding your judgement.
And you do sound a bit snobby!
Many thanks all for the advice, I know I did sound snobbish but that was certainly not my intention having come from a similar background myself.
My aim was to see if there was any specific rules/guidelines that do prevent this behaviour as it isn't just me, several other neighbours have expressed similar concerns over the residents.
The property was brought off plan and I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to view the area in advance.
From what you have written I don't see anything illegal going on
Obviously if they are creating litter or causing excessive noise then yes, you can report that
There is nothing illegal about smoking outside, in fact it is better than smoking inside
My neighbour smokes outside in her dressing gown in the morning and it would never annoy me
It means she is keeping smoke out of her home, and not affecting those in her home
As for playing and setting up toys in the front, is there anything in the lease that says
that should not be done, as again I don't see a problem if it is not causing a problem
So keep a diary, even take photos,only of anything illegal
Even ask the local police for advice, if the police think it is illegal or classed as a nuisance
I wonder what they think of your side of the street, net curtains twitching, front gardens pristine and lawns that look ironed etc.
They are harming nobody, getting on with their lives their way just as you are. If there is no blatent anti social behaviour involved then there is no right and no wrong here just different strokes for different folks.
You need to loosen up a bit. If you want to live in lego land with robot people all doing eveything your way go find a new home in one of those types of estates.
It is the new trend. There is a new housing estate in the town I live in which has a mix of owner occupier and social housing. Apparently the police are up there on a regular basis. As Jan says, talk to the police - especially if the late night gatherings are causing a nuisance.
"As their behaviour is not abusive or doesn't go on into the early hours"
Also includng what you said, then they are not doing anything wrong.
"smoking outside" - you are aware there is smoking ban and most people smoke outside? It's better to smoke outside your own house also leaves no internal smell.
They are enjoying the hot weather ...all this is normal and not illegal, best thing to do is to get chatty with them and then you can join in...or at least be able to tell them to keep the noise down in a friendly way...cant have a go at people for having a bit of fun and relaxing at home.
Sorry but I had to laugh, you sound so snobbish. So did you visit this development before you moved in ?, have you bought or is it rented.
I suggest you move, no agency will be interested in taking action, these people just live their life differently than you.
UK
I have recently moved into a new development in the UK and quickly identified that the neighbours opposite are from a social housing agency. Whilst I am all for "live and let live" they do not show little to any consideration for the other residents in the area. As their behaviour is not abusive or doesn't go on into the early hours they do however make a lot of noise and the following activity:
Set up paddling pools & tents outside the front of their properties
Constantly playing ball games
smoking outside and in public areas constantly
Frequent late night gatherings
Walk throughout the development in their dressing gowns
Shout and talk at the top of their voices
Play music very frequently
Essentially, they use their front garden like the rest of us would use a back garden which feels very invasive and because 6 households all engage in this type of behaviour it does make the development look a little like a holiday camp and constantly busy with lots of noise. Not to mention the view it isn't very pleasant to see lots of people wondering the streets and sitting outside smoking in their dressing gowns.
I have maintained a log of this activity and sent this to their agency but this is not getting me anywhere.
Not sure if there are any other channels anyone would recommend me going through? or any advice here will be greatly appreciated.
