alt.uk.law

Hi, I don't know if anyone can offer any advice on this, but I'm
having real problems with my downstairs neighbour.
I live in a block of six flats, (the lease is owned by the local
authority), and I am a private tenant. My downstairs neighbour is a
council tenant.

My neighbour sees fit to play her 'drum and bass' music at full volume
with the bass turned up at all hours of the day and night. I moved in
about three and a half months ago and the noise did not bother me too
much at first, but after a couple of weeks it was still happening so I
went down and asked her to turn the bass down. She was very
apologetic and pleasant and turned it down straight away. In the next
two weeks I had to go and ask her to turn it down nine more times, (I
was giving her the benefit of the doubt as she was so nice to my
face).

Then she had the second all-night party which went on from 8pm til 6
in the morning. I was woken up after four hours sleep at 5am and went
down and told her to turn the music off. She didn't.

I went to my upstairs neighbours, both of whom have complaints against
her. It turns out they have been trying to get her moved for a year.
They have complaints lodged with the council and the police (she
smokes drugs) to try and get her evicted or at least have her stereo
confiscated. She also deals drugs from her flat but we have no
concrete proof of this. They have also contacted our MP to try and
get more help.

With the help of my neighbours I complained to the council and was
given two diaries to fill in. The woman from the council seems
absolutely useless. When she came to see me she showed me information
about my neighbour's tenant support officer which I was not supposed
to see. I also did not want my neighbour to know I had complained
(for fear of reprisals) but she had already posted a letter to her
saying she had received a complaint from another neighbour (I doubt it
would have taken her long to realise it was me).

My neighbours agree with me that the woman is useless, apparently she
has a reputation for not getting her job done properly. She says she
is now going to serve a 'notice seeking possession' on my downstairs
neighbour. Apparently this will take at least 6 months to get to
court and possibly a lot longer.

Since the council last wrote to my neighbour the noise has hardly been
happening at night. Instead it happens frequently throughout the
daytime. I am not working at the moment and am at home all day, so
getting the full effect of her noise. She seems to think that noise
in the daytime is acceptable, no matter how loud it is.

What I would like to know is if there are any other ways I can deal
with this, anyone else I could complain to or things that I can do to
get this sorted sooner. Any help would be much appreciated!

E