Need some advice on how to proceed.

Having moved in to our new flat around the end of March this year with my Mrs and two kids(3 and 9)we have received nothing but noise complaints from the downstairs neighbor.

Even when we were just viewing the flat before coming to a decision he approached us and informed us as to how we would not find the accommodation suitable as it suffered from dampness and loud sounds from the immersion heater feeder tanks in the roof. Generally he tried to put us off with his lies and bullcrap, the flat was fine and we thought nothing of the matter and just assumed he was an overzealous nosy little fellow.

The first week we arrived he was up at the door complaining how we went to the toilet forty times a night (he counted???), how he could hear word for word me and my Mrs having a conversation, how the children could be herd walking up and down the hall day and night and other completely crazy stuff all beyond the scope of any reasonable persons ability to control.

In an attempt to resolve the mans madness i stupidly gave him my phone number and requested he call us personally if and when he experienced these alleged noise issues, a few days later he called up around 11am, spoke to my partner, telling her he could hear all the thing we got up to in the bedroom while having sex. How he could hear us stopping and starting, changing position and the like, how he could hear her moaning and generally other perverted garbage that no decent Man in his right mind should ever think appropriate to discuss with a woman!

I wanted to go down to his door right there and then and explain to the sex pest pervert in typical Glaswegian fashion exactly what he had just done and why it was completely inappropriate, probobly by breaking his nose in a few places but realized that this was probobly his intention to begin with.

He then graduated to calling the Police claiming he could hear loud TV and music into the early hours of the morning. The Police have attended according to him on numerous occasions, about 30 since we moved in but have only ever came to my door around 4 times and on every occasion Police determined there was no reasonable noise disturbance.

Yesterday around 5pm there was a knock at the door and again it was the Police who asked me if i had contacted them as to any noise disturbance, i informed them no and enlightened then as to the problems we have experienced from the fellow below since we have moved in. Turned out he had called regarding the kids making noise while sitting quietly in the living room playing Minecraft on Xbox(not noisy) while eating there dinner. Again the Police included in there report that there was no untoward noise issue and as usual quietly apologized for the inconvenience and left pointing out that there was always one idiot in any close.

During the last few months we have been in contact with the housing making then aware of the situation, they have also been given access to any Police reports made, all of which according to the housing officer have been in our favor and reflect the neighbors crazy unwarranted noise complaints for what they are but still the guy persists in calling Police and housing with his endless complaints that need to be investigated because that's there job.

I'm at the end of my terror and really cannot afford to move again, was just wondering if anyone had any advice as to how to resolve the situation? Peacefully if possible as teaching him the error of his ways Man style would just be playing into his hands really. Not that he does not deserve a good slap for talking to my Mrs in such a manner and generally making our life's hell down to his unwarranted, unreasonably demands.

a reply to: andy06shake

My advice to you is this:

First of all, block his number from yours or your wifes phone. When a neighbour offers their phone number, to deal with any concerns or issues arising from living close to one another, there is an expectation that the number should only be used in the event that an actual problem has occurred. Noise levels beyond the norm, water leaks, break ins, genuine issues that may require co-operation to resolve.

The individual who has your details has misused them, to the point where they saw fit to make your lady feel very uncomfortable about entirely natural and normal events, those of being in a relationship.

The fellow clearly has no understanding of taste.

My advice to you, unfortunately, is to have more ability to resist his nonsense, than he has to continue to spout it. As far as I know he has not, yet, broken any laws in his aggravation of your sensibilities.

If he DOES however, the first thing I would do is see about getting a restraining order, preventing him from attempting to contact you by any means, preventing him from speaking to you, or your family at all, for any reason.

Are there any legislation for filing false reports against him by the police, especially for a clearly documented record of harassment??

I think we could probably have a guy like this jailed here in my state for harassment. Especially if you can bait him into a mild scuffle or very loud threatening gesture. May even be possible to have him committed if his family is annoyed by him and has not been in contact for some time, or if he has no family. A small scuffle would show he is a threat to others and/or himself.

It seems to me this neighbor may be mentally unstable. Perhaps you can see to it there is some way to force him to undergo medical evaluations through a judge's order in civil court??

a reply to: TrueBrit

Yes i think i may indeed go down the road of a restraining order just down to the fact of what he discussed with my Mrs. Everyone in the who has ever known the fellow thinks he is a wrong yin. And last 3 previous tenants also experienced issues with him.

Personally we just want to live our life's in peace and wish this disgruntled little sex pest would do the same but i wonder will a restraining order retard his attempts as to the Police arriving at my door for reasons outwith our control?

When is reporting noise disturbances out with anyone's reasonable control to prevent considered wasting Police time? Seems a reasonable question to ask.

a reply to: worldstarcountry

He's not loud or threatening through, that's the thing.

Loud or threatening i can deal with, this guy is devious and creepy, possibly even on a list if you know what i mean if the local gossip is to be believed.

Just want him to leave me and my family alone before i have to make him do so, but that's exactly the game he has in mind i imagine.

"Perhaps you can see to it there is some way to force him to undergo medical evaluations through a judge's order in civil court??"

I don't see that happening, if only really!

Buy a full drum kit and learn to play. Do calisthenics...

Or move. Obviously the crank has issues, one is focusing blame on others for perceived affronts. That should have sounded the alarm when he did it before you even moved in.

I've lived with noisy people overhead, it isn't something everyone can handle. It may be way past go but ask to go down there and listen to your family walking around going to the bathroom, etc., hear what it sounds like. My guess is it isn't that bad, but sounds like you're dealing wth someone who isn't very tolerant.

This can't end well. Maybe thats his game, just to bother people. You should meet my mom.

First of all, I am sorry that you are having to deal with that. I had worked as property manager in the US for a short time and while I do not think the rules/laws are exactly the same, I have to believe that they are similar. First of all, are you both (you and the downstairs neighbor) renting/leasing the property (flats) from someone else?

a reply to: andy06shake

Andy, you're a longstanding and respected member of ATS. This scum deserves Karma. Maybe if illegal porn was found on his computer the Police could take action ...wink wink...

I agree with blocking the phone number ! ....and do not confront the man downstairs in any sort of heated way, as he will call the police on you ,and most likely place a restraining order on you...you do not need that problem.....is he a tenant or a landlord ?......

personally , if it was me :
1. if he's a tenant i would contact the landlord or property manager and have them explain to him that if you have people living above you, you will hear noise above you. And if the man can actually hear a lot of detail then the property is built thinly and that is not your fault or problem......
2.Keep a journal complete with all dates ,times, complaints , Phone calls, or any other details pertaining to this .as you may need it down the road to prove he is harassing you. ......
3. If you do happen to run into him in The hall or drive way and he says something, I'd just CALMLY tell him to suck it up. That's his fault for living in a place with people above him. ......
4. Because you have small children , I'd Look into the laws in your area, as you may be able to file a harassment or stalking order... ( this is where you need the running journal with time ,dates, facts ) ..... You may not need to do this, but will be good to know if laws like this this exists in your area,just in case this guy becomes nuttier.....
5. Keep an eye on any pets you may have . This guys may hurt them or Poison them, trying to scare you to move.( that's a long shot, but you never know)
6. Block His phone number immediately.....
And
7. Worst case scenario if it heats up more....then I would sit down with the police and ask what you can do to stop this nut.....and consider safety cams around my front door to catch him in the act of anything....but that's worst case scenario .

a reply to: OrderOfIntent

Its housing association accommodation. 3 bed roomed flats for family use.

a reply to: Meldionne1

He's a council tenant same as the rest of the people in the tenement structure bar two old souls down the bottom who have purchased there homes.

a reply to: andy06shake

Get his full name and google it ! You never know what pops up ? If he is on a child predator list , and you have children , would he have to move ? ....not sure on laws where you are .

a reply to: andy06shake

I think he probably has a case to answer on the wasting police time front, which carries either a fine or a six month prison sentence. If the police can be persuaded to pursue it, then you could get a restraining order on the back of that. I would look into it if I were you.

I would have my family do jumping jacks and run in place every time he calls the cops. Show him what real noise is like.

a reply to: Meldionne1

He's name is Steven Tait, first thing i did was google him. Believe it or not i cant find him anywhere. Load of other people with same name and sir name, none of then are him.

They don't tell the public in Glasgow as to where sex offenders(if that's what he is) live exactly, just how many are in the area because they would probobly be targeted and seriously injured at best.

All i know is i cant move again, shelled out a few grand on deposits, repairs and improvements since i move in, just don't have the financial means to do so again at this time.

a reply to: andy06shake

Sounds mad, and mad people don't do reason.

Last similar thing I knew of ended with the offending party being sectioned.

When you say

crazy unwarranted noise complaints

it sounds as if he hallucinates noises. Has he ever been heard to answer to people who aren't there?

a reply to: Bone75

The thought has entered my mind but really i don't want to give him any ammunition to add to his outlandish claims.

a reply to: andy06shake
Reading through this I understand you can't move at the moment and going tit for tat in battle with the neighbor likely won't get anything accomplished.

Any chance you can invite the old coot out for a few drinks at a local watering hole? (Away from your wife and kids, of course). Is there ANY possibility he can be turned into a friend?

a reply to: Kester

Well his partner is apparently backing his claims up which is why i actually entertained the possibility as to us being a nuisance to begin with. But no other neighbor has any issues with our level of noise and like i said the problems the guy is allegedly experiencing is beyond my control to prevent.

How do you limit the amount of times you or your kids goto the toilet or up and down a hall day or night? You simply cannot do so.

Guy apparently goes to bed at 8pm, my TV is set to around set to around 12%, and police have told us the noise is not a problem.

And as to us having sex and that creepy wee sod apparently listening intently 6ft below and making notes to discuss later with my Mrs, that's just creepy as hell and should be considered an offence on his part.

a reply to: andy06shake

Common names can be an issue to weed through.....You may have to google his name combined with his middle name, or address , or age, or work place .....something more detailed to get any internet info......BUT ...keep that written journal I spoke about.... You most likely will need it to recall all the facts if you need to prove harassment . I'm sorry your dealing with this......