What's happening around here?
Let me tell you.
Last year a long term tenant walked away from his flat upstairs from me.
He had mental health problems, non-violent, and had been bullied into a breakdown.
This year, the upstairs flat was completely refurbished.
New flooring, new cabinets, new sink, stove, the works. Everything brand new.
A couple of months after that, a new tenant moved in. Seemed quiet at first.
But then the complaints began. He's having trouble sleeping because there is too much noise at night.
This is a very quiet area, but apparently what he didn't like is the noise of water through the pipes.
Said he could hear it all night long.
Then he couldn't get any hot water. Had the plumbers out several times a week and soon enough, had himself a brand new hot water heater.
Then others in "my" block weren't getting hot water. Many times. One night I stood out by the heaters with neighbour P and the couple from the flat above her. He'd just come home from soccer practise and wanted a shower.
None of us were whispering and I said, I don't understand the problem, I've ALWAYS had hot water, even when they didn't. I offered to let him use my shower if he wished. I assumed he'd bring his wife with him. But they didn't come and probably he boiled some water for a wash.
Anyway, the very next morning after my announcing I ALWAYS have hot water, mine was off.
No hot water for me now, as well as everyone else.
Neighbour P phoned someone, her sister, I think, whose husband is a plumber and learned about the switches that turn the heaters off and on. We went out to check. If the switches are on, we should see a small red line on them.
Every single switch was OFF. We turned them on and since then there hasn't been a single instance of no hot water.
Last week, Monday 12th, just after 6pm as I was about to cook dinner, my power went off. First thing I thought was "Blackout". I looked outside and saw others had power still.
So I checked my kitchen fuses box in case I'd tripped a fuse having too many things turned on. Television AND the overhead light, both at once, how extravagant of me.
But the kitchen switches were OK. I put batteries in my LED lamp and called my ex who lives in the same complex, he came down, took my torch and went around to inspect the mains box where switches are for all four flats, clearly marked by number.
MY switch was off. He turned it back on and I made a note to report this to the housing officer when he came around on the Wednesday. He comes every Wednesday to hear people's complaints. And to socialise.
He (upstairs) also complained about noises from possums in the roof. Until he said that I hadn't noticed much more than an occasional scrabbling sound. But then that became worse. I heard he was putting food up there to try and attract them so they could be trapped.At night I'd hear the possums, then I'd hear sounds like a broom being banged around the skirting boards near the roof. (This is right above my bed, so I couldn't sleep.)
Since then an official possum catcher has been out and the possums have been caught and relocated.
While all this was going on, the new upstairs tenant kept complaining about various things, "people in flats shouldn't have birds", (or dogs) because he doesn't like being able to hear P's little budgie who sings and talks during the day. He was quite nasty to her about it.
P mentioned this to the housing officer and then the swearing began. At P. He called her some really awful names. P is 71 and certainly doesn't deserve that. And the noises. When HE hears noises he doesn't like he makes much louder noises in his flat.
His latest complaint is that he doesn't think anyone of us should use our taps or flush our toilets after about 8pm until 7am the next morning.
All of this paragraph is just what P told me, I didn't hear it first hand.
But then I began hearing slammed cabinet doors in his kitchen, which is right above mine, like he slammed his hands on them, every time I rinsed my coffee cup after dark, or turned the tap on for anything else. Things being dropped heavily above my bathroom if I used the tap in there. Things get dropped above me when I'm in my lounge room when I'm watching TV, so I turn it down...
I mentioned it to the housing officer last Wednesday when I told him about the power being off.
Last Sunday, 18th June, about 8.40pm, I was rinsing things in my sink and heard what sounded like the length of a broomstick being slammed repeatedly on his kitchen floor, my ceiling. Then I went into the bathroom, used the toilet, flushed it and washed my hands. Much louder and much more of the "broomstick" slamming right above the doorway to my bathroom.
Angel was terrified, running from front to back door desperate to get out. I phoned my ex and he came down. I explained what was happening, I was so scared I was shaking inside and Angel was still running around terrified. I asked my ex would he please flush the toilet and wash his hands so he could hear what I've been putting up with. He did and the slamming noises happened again.
So now I have a witness who can back up my story. I plan to tell all this to the housing officer on Wednesday 21st. He goes to the community room and there's cups of tea, coffee and a sausage sizzle, while people talk to him. I don't usually go. This week will be the third time, and only to report the events stated here.
Back to Sunday night...I let Angel out, he ran around for a while doing whatever cats do, then came in and I turned everything off and went to bed.
Monday morning, that's yesterday, I went off doing all my usual Monday things, thinking I was okay, but when I got home around 3pm and saw Angel still jumpy, a delayed reaction set in. I couldn't settle down, couldn't watch TV, had the computer on for just an hour or so (usually I'm online until 10pm).
I realised I was too scared to do anything in case the noises from upstairs began again. I had a headache from the worrying. I let Angel outside for a wee like he always does around 6.30pm, then I went to bed at 8pm. I just lay there and cried. Angel was still outside and I expected him to meow at the door when he was ready to come back in. All night I was up and down checking at the doors.
Right now it is Tuesday, 20th, 11.20am and still there's been no sign of Angel. I hope he turns up hungry by his usual dinner time.
Last year a long term tenant walked away from his flat upstairs from me.
He had mental health problems, non-violent, and had been bullied into a breakdown.
This year, the upstairs flat was completely refurbished.
New flooring, new cabinets, new sink, stove, the works. Everything brand new.
A couple of months after that, a new tenant moved in. Seemed quiet at first.
But then the complaints began. He's having trouble sleeping because there is too much noise at night.
This is a very quiet area, but apparently what he didn't like is the noise of water through the pipes.
Said he could hear it all night long.
Then he couldn't get any hot water. Had the plumbers out several times a week and soon enough, had himself a brand new hot water heater.
Then others in "my" block weren't getting hot water. Many times. One night I stood out by the heaters with neighbour P and the couple from the flat above her. He'd just come home from soccer practise and wanted a shower.
None of us were whispering and I said, I don't understand the problem, I've ALWAYS had hot water, even when they didn't. I offered to let him use my shower if he wished. I assumed he'd bring his wife with him. But they didn't come and probably he boiled some water for a wash.
Anyway, the very next morning after my announcing I ALWAYS have hot water, mine was off.
No hot water for me now, as well as everyone else.
Neighbour P phoned someone, her sister, I think, whose husband is a plumber and learned about the switches that turn the heaters off and on. We went out to check. If the switches are on, we should see a small red line on them.
Every single switch was OFF. We turned them on and since then there hasn't been a single instance of no hot water.
Last week, Monday 12th, just after 6pm as I was about to cook dinner, my power went off. First thing I thought was "Blackout". I looked outside and saw others had power still.
So I checked my kitchen fuses box in case I'd tripped a fuse having too many things turned on. Television AND the overhead light, both at once, how extravagant of me.
But the kitchen switches were OK. I put batteries in my LED lamp and called my ex who lives in the same complex, he came down, took my torch and went around to inspect the mains box where switches are for all four flats, clearly marked by number.
MY switch was off. He turned it back on and I made a note to report this to the housing officer when he came around on the Wednesday. He comes every Wednesday to hear people's complaints. And to socialise.
He (upstairs) also complained about noises from possums in the roof. Until he said that I hadn't noticed much more than an occasional scrabbling sound. But then that became worse. I heard he was putting food up there to try and attract them so they could be trapped.At night I'd hear the possums, then I'd hear sounds like a broom being banged around the skirting boards near the roof. (This is right above my bed, so I couldn't sleep.)
Since then an official possum catcher has been out and the possums have been caught and relocated.
While all this was going on, the new upstairs tenant kept complaining about various things, "people in flats shouldn't have birds", (or dogs) because he doesn't like being able to hear P's little budgie who sings and talks during the day. He was quite nasty to her about it.
P mentioned this to the housing officer and then the swearing began. At P. He called her some really awful names. P is 71 and certainly doesn't deserve that. And the noises. When HE hears noises he doesn't like he makes much louder noises in his flat.
His latest complaint is that he doesn't think anyone of us should use our taps or flush our toilets after about 8pm until 7am the next morning.
All of this paragraph is just what P told me, I didn't hear it first hand.
But then I began hearing slammed cabinet doors in his kitchen, which is right above mine, like he slammed his hands on them, every time I rinsed my coffee cup after dark, or turned the tap on for anything else. Things being dropped heavily above my bathroom if I used the tap in there. Things get dropped above me when I'm in my lounge room when I'm watching TV, so I turn it down...
I mentioned it to the housing officer last Wednesday when I told him about the power being off.
Last Sunday, 18th June, about 8.40pm, I was rinsing things in my sink and heard what sounded like the length of a broomstick being slammed repeatedly on his kitchen floor, my ceiling. Then I went into the bathroom, used the toilet, flushed it and washed my hands. Much louder and much more of the "broomstick" slamming right above the doorway to my bathroom.
Angel was terrified, running from front to back door desperate to get out. I phoned my ex and he came down. I explained what was happening, I was so scared I was shaking inside and Angel was still running around terrified. I asked my ex would he please flush the toilet and wash his hands so he could hear what I've been putting up with. He did and the slamming noises happened again.
So now I have a witness who can back up my story. I plan to tell all this to the housing officer on Wednesday 21st. He goes to the community room and there's cups of tea, coffee and a sausage sizzle, while people talk to him. I don't usually go. This week will be the third time, and only to report the events stated here.
Back to Sunday night...I let Angel out, he ran around for a while doing whatever cats do, then came in and I turned everything off and went to bed.
Monday morning, that's yesterday, I went off doing all my usual Monday things, thinking I was okay, but when I got home around 3pm and saw Angel still jumpy, a delayed reaction set in. I couldn't settle down, couldn't watch TV, had the computer on for just an hour or so (usually I'm online until 10pm).
I realised I was too scared to do anything in case the noises from upstairs began again. I had a headache from the worrying. I let Angel outside for a wee like he always does around 6.30pm, then I went to bed at 8pm. I just lay there and cried. Angel was still outside and I expected him to meow at the door when he was ready to come back in. All night I was up and down checking at the doors.
Right now it is Tuesday, 20th, 11.20am and still there's been no sign of Angel. I hope he turns up hungry by his usual dinner time.
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Oh that is dreadful. My heart is in my mouth. I have EVERYTHING crossed for you.
ReplyDeleteElephant's Child; I've just replied to your email.
DeleteDO NOT let Angel out again until all this is sorted. :( It is just too dangerous.
ReplyDeleteSnoskred; first Angel has to come home. I've just done another walk around the flats and gardens even going around behind the units. No Angel yet.
DeleteWhat an appalling nasty and spiteful person. Does he not realise what living in in a block of flats is about? He is nothing more than a bully with a monstrous sense of entitlement. River, the noisy wheel gets the oil and you now have to be very noisy to this housing officer. I assume they are mostly older people in your block, who would not normally be nuisance neighbours. I wonder if he doesn't want rehousing in an unattached property and this is his nasty way of going about it. I do like that the housing officer visits each week, for socialising too. I should think such visits are important to some people. Anyway, easy to say, but try not to be intimidated and don't worry too much. I agree with Snoskred's advice.
ReplyDeleteAndrew; he is a bully and I think he drinks more on weekends which is when most of these things happen. The couple who live above Pat are younger, but looking for a home of their own closer to where he works. Pat is older than me and in the block behind is K who is older than Pat, but most others are younger now. There's been a lot of new younger tenants and some aren't so nice.
DeleteI'm not usually scared of stuff like this, but I'm definitely shaken after that awful slamming of whatever it was on his floors. I find I'm flinching at every noise now and worried about turning on my taps or TV. I shouldn't be, but I'm taking longer to get over it. I haven't found Angel yet.
You should not have to live like that, I hope your complaints and others will have some results.
ReplyDeletejoeh; I'm pretty sure mine isn't the only complaint, last week the housing guy said he's heard that no one likes this upstairs fellow, so with what I tell J tomorrow, maybe something will be done.
DeleteOh, shit! River! This is terrible. I'm upset reading this! I can imagine how you're feeling. Please take care. I hope Angel is okay. And I hope everything get sorted out real soon.
ReplyDeleteBest thoughts. Hugs.
Lee; I also hope Angel is okay wherever he is. I'm wondering if someone has taken him in and just not phoned me yet. my number is on his name tag.
DeleteOh dear I hope Angel is ok, cats are a good judge of character.
ReplyDeleteNasty neighbours are horrible if you all stand together you should be able to get rid of him.
Merle............
Merle; thank you. Angel is a friendly cat mostly, so hopefully got found by someone who is looking after him. I really don't want him to be lying somewhere hurting and unable to get home.
DeleteLike Lee I feel quite upset reading all this. I do hope Angel returns home soon. Just tell the housing people all your worries tomorrow
ReplyDeleteCathy; thank you, I'll be out searching again today. The housing officer will be at the community room from 10am till noon, I'll tell him everything and neighbour Pat has another complaint too.
DeleteGood grief! I hope Angel comes home soon and you get some rest. Sounds like the new creep is trying to get his way about something. I hate banging and I jump too. Has to be like living with a madman in the building.
ReplyDeleteS.J.Qualls; I've since learned that he hates all animals and has even told another neighbour she should get rid of her pet budgie or he'll shoot it :(
DeleteHe's not nice at all.
Please let us know the minute Angel returns. This is a horrible story and something has to be done. Let the housing authority read this story as told here and that will convince them. I watch a TV show on the ID channel called FEAR THY NEIGHBOR and the end is never good. Get help fast.
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie; I've printed out what I wrote here for the housing officer to read and I'll tell him other parts that I left out. A couple of other neighbours have complaints too, to add to what they've already said about him in past weeks. He moved in and made enemies really fast, because he doesn't like or want any noise and hates animals.
DeleteI'll let everyone know when/if Angel comes home.
He sounds like a psychopath. ( Pity his wife.)
ReplyDeleteAs a pet owner, I can feel your panic and fears. It is such a dark void when our pets don't show up. Something has to be done about that man but for now, my thoughts are strongly with you.
Belva; he isn't married, many of the 110 tenants around here are older singles. Thank you for your thoughts, I'll be sure to post as soon as Angel comes home or is found.
DeleteGood Lord....I hope your kitty baby comes home soon. Do you have plate of food out to tempt him with the smell? What an unbelievably horrid neighbour you have. I'd like to kick his bottom from here to eternity.
ReplyDeleteonly slightly confused; Angel only eats inside in one particular spot so always scratches at the door to come in when he is hungry. A plate of food left outside would be eaten quickly by other cats or the magpies around here. I'm missing him sleeping beside my pillow and wrapping a paw around my arm.
DeleteNo one should have to live in fear like this, this person is actually terrorizing all of you and making you scared to be in your own home. Can you contact your housing officer to come out while this is going on? Or even law enforcement because in my opinion you are being held hostage in a sense because of him.
ReplyDeleteJimmy; the objectional behaviour, banging etc is usually at night on the weekends, all we can do is keep telling our complaints each week and hope the housing people are building a file to get him moved out. I've had my ex in here to hear the noises and at the next instance, if there is one, I will be calling the Police. I have no hesitation in doing that for sure.
DeleteWhatever it takes to bring you some peace, you said that you will not hesitate to call the police, hopefully the other tenants will do the same. I'm hoping Angel has returned by now.
DeleteRiver, I am so sorry to read this.
ReplyDeleteYou, and the other residents, should not have to live like this. I sincerely hope your complaints will have some results.
I also hope that Angel comes home very soon.
Thinking of you
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member; it's possible all the accumulated complaints will have an effect. The housing officer has said clearly the man is not coping with living here and maybe he should try coping somewhere else. It's possible he will get moved on, but that will take time.
DeleteI'm reassured by the local vet that frightened animals will hide out for several days, so I'm hopeful Angel will be home by the end of the week. He has his ID tag and is microchipped too.
Oh dear me, thought you must have posted that Angel hadn't returned - gosh I do hope soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm so worried about your Angel. :( Are you checking on the lost pet Facebook pages in Adelaide? Might be worth posting his pic there. There's a few different ones if you type in lost and found pets Adelaide. South Australian Lost Pet Register seems to be one of the main ones.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are ok. :(
ReplyDeleteThis is a scary story; hope you & Angel are OK!!
ReplyDelete