Squatters!

[Leah]

We have unfortunately had squatters move in to a house opposite us. Last night, they played incredibly loud music until about 3.30am? I may be getting grumpy in my old age, but I do feel it's a bit out of order on a Monday night!! This isn't the first time this has happened. The house is partially boarded up so there isn't even a front door to bang on!

Does anybody have any ideas of how you deal with this sort of behaviour? having done a bit of investigation this morning, it seems squatters have an incredible amount of rights!!! So I have no idea how to proceed... any advice would be appreciated!

[Mark]

Have they put up a secion 6 notice on the front door? There's implications if they have or haven't...

Where is the property?

[Leah]

Ah yes, I read about section 6 notice.. I haven't seen one. I emailed the community police this morning asking their advice, haven't heard anything back yet.

The property is in Matham Grove.

[fractionater]

Send some boys round to evict them - its the only way!

[Huguenot]

Unfortunately you're not in a great position to evict them if the property isn't yours :'(

Noise abatement notices can be served, contact Southwark Council as per this page.

Having suffered this, I can't recommend strongly enough that you start the process immediately. If you wait three months until you've reached the end of your tether, you'll still have to take another 3 months to go through the process and that'll drive you insane.

Please do download the noise diary and start filling it in now - if the problem goes away then you've wasted 20 secs, if it threatens to stay then you've created a lifesaver!

Best of luck!

PS Anyone know how you go about finding an original owner?

[Ant]

Land registry perhaps? Don't know if that sort of info is publicly available.

[Huguenot]

Ah yes - do you know here is the link.

It costs three quid payable by debit card online.

Leah perhaps that's a good place to start for eviction?

[Leah]

Thanks Huguenot. I wasn't expecting to be able to evict them, I just want some peace and quiet! I have just downloaded the noise diary and taken a note of the noise teams phone number!

I have a feeling the house is either owned by the council or a housing association. It's such a shame, it's a beautiful, big house.

[Keef]

If it's council owned, I'm sure they'd have people living there, properties are so few, and waiting lists are so high!

I can confirm that Southwark "sound police" will act quite quickly (having once played guitar at a party, and had them threaten to take my beautiful guitar away!!! :-$ ).

Best of luck Leah

[davidm]

i was chatting to neighbour in matham grove about the house recently, said it was owned by a small housing association. They vacated it but did not turn off supplies such as electricity/ gas . Squatters moved in quickly after. It is a shame cos this house is one of the nicest and largest in road.

[AcedOut]

Smoke bombs?

[alfie]

It's owned by an association called Carr-Gomm who initiated formal eviction procedings a while ago. As far as I understand, there was a court hearing last week at which they got approval to evict the squatters but I don't know when this will happen. I think they're planning to redevelop the house in the next few months so hopefully it will be back to its former glory soon.

[AcedOut]

I hope the fill the place with quick drying cement.

Squatters infuriate me. Leeches of society.

[Mark]

Thanks for the heads-up alfie, I hope they return it to their former glory and don't fill it up with quick drying cement.

[Leah]

Fabulous news Alfie!!

Hopefully they'll be out soon.. do you know how I can find out the progress of the eviction?

[Huguenot]

Why don't you try this lady.

[uj64]

You could go and speak to the squatters first??? Just an idea. By the way, how do you know they are squatters?

[batdog]

Yes they are squatters, same family as the ones in peckham rye (along the park.. another nice property left to rot few years ago ) just before Friern Rd in the ex-children home ( Believe owned by the council ).

Actually this branch of the squatters will open the door when someone knocks ( the door is part of the metal boarding ), the squatters complained about a party last saturday night held by their politican neighbours... Said it was too noisy until early hours of the morning..HA..HA...

[AcedOut]

scum

[fractionater]

burn it down!

[Keef]

Scum seems a bit harsh!

To be honest, the way things are going, I think I'll be looking for a squat one of these days.... Beats giving some rich landlord half of my wages!!!

[ratty]

I work with Carr-Gom now and again and they are a reputable association with a good rep. They will do all they can to get rid of the squatters as believe me, they are the last thing any HA want. ( I work for a HA you see)

Perhaps phoning the local Carr-Gom manager would be a move - I am sure they will be happy to help and let you know timescales. Aslo SASBU may be able to help (Southwark Anti Social Behaviour Unit).

Buring them out is the last option! Don't leave any prints though!