Yep, my first thread in months is a rant in Office Party. Surprised?
So. Back in June a new neighbour moved into the flat downstairs from me. There was some inevitable noise which I put down to decorating, moving furniture, housewarming parties and the like. However, it went on...and on...and on...I'm talking windows thrown open, music pounding, you name it. There was no pattern to it, no routine, no rhyme or reason so I've never stood a chance of predicting when my peace was going to be disturbed.
The earliest I've been woken up is 5am; the latest it's gone on is half past ten at night. If I have to listen to NeYo's Closer or Will.I.Am and Cheryl Cole's Heartbreaker once more, there will be murder done.
The first step I took was visiting my local housing office to put in an official complaint. I didn't hear anything back so I returned a few weeks later but they said they couldn't do anything as it was in the hands of the anti-social behaviour team. I said, "No one's been in touch with me."
Not their problem, apparently. I had to wait on the ASB Team.
Eventually someone from the ASB Team - we'll call her Fiona, cuz...well, that's her name - got in touch, came round for a visit. We discussed mediation and that was the route we took.
Didn't get anywhere. My neighbour ignored all attempts at contact and a few weeks later I got a letter saying the mediators were dropping the case as my neighbour had ignored their attempts to get in touch. They recommended getting back in touch with the ASB Team, which I did.
Waited for a call back.
And waited.
Waited some more.
Eventually phoned them again and for a couple of months now I've been fobbed off with excuses like, "Fiona's left...we don't know who's dealing with your case...oh, we do know who's dealing with your case but they're off sick...oh sorry, we spelled your name wrong and filed the papers in the wrong folder...someone will get back to you...just phone the police next time it happens...I'll get someone to call you back..."
Let me tell you, no-one has ever called me back regarding my complaint except for one occasion when I emailed my local councillor regarding the matter. Two hours later I received a phone call basically saying my complaint was being dealt with and someone would call me again on Monday.
Monday came and went.
A week passed, I called. Left a message. Was assured someone would call me back that afternoon.
Nothing.
I've been to see my councillor in person and he's not happy with the way things are being dealt with...or not.
I've called the police out countless times, been keeping a list of all disturbances (which include the selfish bitch's male companions shouting up at my window giving me abuse) and really...I wonder why I bother.
Now here's the funny part.
This morning I received a survey from the council, saying, "Someone from the anti-social behaviour team recently dealt with a complaint regarding your neighbour." They want me to fill in a form detailing whether or not I'm happy with the 'service' they've given.
So. Back in June a new neighbour moved into the flat downstairs from me. There was some inevitable noise which I put down to decorating, moving furniture, housewarming parties and the like. However, it went on...and on...and on...I'm talking windows thrown open, music pounding, you name it. There was no pattern to it, no routine, no rhyme or reason so I've never stood a chance of predicting when my peace was going to be disturbed.
The earliest I've been woken up is 5am; the latest it's gone on is half past ten at night. If I have to listen to NeYo's Closer or Will.I.Am and Cheryl Cole's Heartbreaker once more, there will be murder done.
The first step I took was visiting my local housing office to put in an official complaint. I didn't hear anything back so I returned a few weeks later but they said they couldn't do anything as it was in the hands of the anti-social behaviour team. I said, "No one's been in touch with me."
Not their problem, apparently. I had to wait on the ASB Team.
Eventually someone from the ASB Team - we'll call her Fiona, cuz...well, that's her name - got in touch, came round for a visit. We discussed mediation and that was the route we took.
Didn't get anywhere. My neighbour ignored all attempts at contact and a few weeks later I got a letter saying the mediators were dropping the case as my neighbour had ignored their attempts to get in touch. They recommended getting back in touch with the ASB Team, which I did.
Waited for a call back.
And waited.
Waited some more.
Eventually phoned them again and for a couple of months now I've been fobbed off with excuses like, "Fiona's left...we don't know who's dealing with your case...oh, we do know who's dealing with your case but they're off sick...oh sorry, we spelled your name wrong and filed the papers in the wrong folder...someone will get back to you...just phone the police next time it happens...I'll get someone to call you back..."
Let me tell you, no-one has ever called me back regarding my complaint except for one occasion when I emailed my local councillor regarding the matter. Two hours later I received a phone call basically saying my complaint was being dealt with and someone would call me again on Monday.
Monday came and went.
A week passed, I called. Left a message. Was assured someone would call me back that afternoon.
Nothing.
I've been to see my councillor in person and he's not happy with the way things are being dealt with...or not.
I've called the police out countless times, been keeping a list of all disturbances (which include the selfish bitch's male companions shouting up at my window giving me abuse) and really...I wonder why I bother.
Now here's the funny part.
This morning I received a survey from the council, saying, "Someone from the anti-social behaviour team recently dealt with a complaint regarding your neighbour." They want me to fill in a form detailing whether or not I'm happy with the 'service' they've given.
