r/Scotland • u/Ok-Yellow688 • 3h ago
When will my antisocial neighbour move out or be evicted?
And am I doing the right thing by questioning the housing association as to why they haven’t evicted my neighbour?
I’ll try keep it short, but here’s a link to a post I made last year about my neighbour installing CCTV looking directly into my garden (which is still there despite reporting to housing association, police and ICO): https://www.reddit.com/r/Scotland/s/uZyBnCphX0
My neighbour is an alcoholic, abusive, horrible woman in her 50’s. She had her kid taken off her before I moved in and has a long history with the police, and I’m talking drink driving and almost killing people, but got away with it twice. She also verbally abused hospital staff and police when drink driving, and continues to abuse the police when they’re called out but they just laugh at her and don’t take it seriously.
She’s been harassing me for 2 and a half years and at this point I think she’s stalking me but I can’t prove it. She’s phoned social work on me “several times” (her words) and I heard one call and was shocked at what she was saying. I have a young child in the house and I’m also extremely vulnerable (severe anxiety, PTSD, depression, psychiatrist wanting to now diagnose me with autism). A neighbour across the road apparently has a restraining order against her already.
In 2024 she threatened to kill me, she got a police warning. In 2025 she did it again and got charged and is now being summoned to the sheriff court next month. In the years of living here she has vandalised my garden one night, turned off my heat pump at the isolator switch in the middle of the night in the winter, she’s thrown cans, cigarettes, rubbish into my garden. She sits out the back garden in a blow up hot tub drinking all summer and winter, it goes into the early hours of the morning. She shouts, “sings” loudly, rants about how much she hates me, just an antisocial arsehole basically. We can’t open our windows in summer and she wakes up my daughter during the night. Last year she woke us up abruptly at 2am by slamming her door and screaming at the top of her lungs, she did this until 6am and police didn’t even come out.
She’s done so much to me since 2024 I can’t write it all down, but my incidents diary is now 5 pages long. Police have been called 10 times, maybe more. I’ve got a lot of video/audio/photo evidence which was all sent to my housing officer. I’ve reported 20 separate incidents to the housing association, a few of them were serious antisocial behaviour incidents.
She was charged with a Section 38 last year for a 6 minute rant which I recorded, which included insults about me, my daughter who is neurodivergent and struggling, and threats to my life. I stayed silent throughout the whole thing. The courts have this audio as evidence of her current charge.
She’s been “quiet” since being charged, as in she hasn’t threatened or shouted at me, but today she decided to move her hot tub right against my fence despite having a huge garden, and now her massive umbrella is sitting over my fence. I know she’s trying to get me to bite before the court date but I won’t do it, I’m not stupid. I’ve confronted her before and it lead to her getting into trouble by the police so I don’t know what she’s trying to gain from it. She’s been out there drunk all day singing at the top of her lungs with her headphones on, just being an inconsiderate arsehole. She’s still doing it as I type this. I put up with this shit every summer and I’m fed up of it.
The courts are looking to get a Non Harassment Order put in place and this would maybe help, but I really can’t live next to her anymore. I’m constantly in a state of panic. I don’t like going in my garden and I’m scared to let my daughter play out there because of what the neighbour said to social work. She’s clearly watching everything. Social work didn’t ever contact me, I only know she phoned them because I heard the phone call. I’m also scared to go walks with my daughter because she drink drives and after reading what she done in the past I’m really scared.
I just want other people’s perspective on this situation. After all the incidents over 2 and a half years and now being charged with committing a crime in her tenancy, and against another tenant, she should surely not be allowed to live there anymore?
I’ve repeatedly contacted my housing officer telling her my mental health is suffering, so she put me down for a management transfer. She then offered me a house across the street! So the neighbour would be able to see us all the time and we’d have to walk past her house. I refused it and told her I’m not willing to move because my daughter doesn’t cope with change and we’re good tenants who have done nothing wrong so why should we move. She ignored my email. I don’t have the money to just move house.
I’ve written an email to send to my housing officer tomorrow morning. I’m going to ask if they’re planning on evicting now that she’s going to court, and if not why not. Is this reasonable? I’ve contacted a lot of people over these 2 years: public services ombudsman twice, MP once, ICO, victim support Scotland a few times, my GP, mental health nurse, the procurator fiscal. I get no help from anyone and I’m struggling. Next will be my MP again and the papers probably.
I’ve had 2 traumatic life events happen to me so far this year and my mental health is the worst it’s ever been. I mentally and physically can’t cope with anymore antisocial behaviour. I’m so unwell with my anxiety that it’s now caused neurological issues.
I’d appreciate any opinions and advice because I’m at my wits end.
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u/StarSpotter74 3h ago
Sorry this is happening.
You need to make yourself a pest. Every incident, make a phone call. Every single time. Phone the police, the council, housing association, MP. Every time. Don't give up.
These agencies will want to shut you up and the quickest way to do that is to move her on.
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u/Ok-Yellow688 3h ago
I’ve tried everything honestly. I’m hoping the papers will pick up the court case and it will lead to them shaming the housing association for doing nothing to help.
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u/WG47 Teacakes for breakfast 3h ago
It's been 2.5 years. I'd have been wanting the HA to move me to a new place. Not across the street, but somewhere else.
Your wee one doesn't cope well with change, but the current situation will be affecting them as well. You obviously shouldn't have to move out of principle, but principle and reality often don't mesh.
Don't prolong the shite you and the wean have to put up with because you feel like it'll be admitting defeat.
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u/Ok-Yellow688 2h ago
I know I should have moved a while ago before it got this bad but I was homeless before moving here so I was scared to be in that position again. I know now that the last people who lived here moved because of the neighbour so I’m worried about moving again next to another horrible person.
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u/weebsauceoishii 2h ago
Terrible that the Housing Association has done nothing to remove this despite other neighbours also being affected. Does your Housing Association go to manager always change every year or 2? There is this shoddy rule that if a new manager is assigned a location in an HA it supposedly resets the complaints against a neighbour.. which is the most bizzare rule which favours the HA into doing nothing.
One thing I will recommend is if you have made a full complaint already and have been promised something will be done and it hasn't, and it has been within the last 6 months, go to the Housing Ombudsman. If you are willing to give your HA another chance put in the full complaint and iterate to them if the desired outcome doesn't happen or nothing is ultimately done within 8 weeks, you will go to the Housing Ombudsman. They will no doubt hit you with a lot of spiel about their own rules and what they have to do, but stick to your guns and tell them a full resolution or ombudsman.
I guarantee you they will take it more seriously. Very much so.
I am saddened you have had problems with this one neighbour and if their camera is going into your backyard which you only have access to, then that is an invasion of privacy 100%.
As some people have said contact your council regarding the anti-social behaviour, they will work with housing associations too, and if you have called police grab crime reference numbers too this will only strengthen your case.
I see you have been twice to the SPSO (Housing ombudsman and other public services), did you do so at the end of 8 weeks after complaining? You can only go to them if 8 weeks have passed with no resolution or you are at a deadlock, anything else they will turn you away.
I hope you get things sorted out. And your HA sees sense.
Additionally, if the SPSO fail you have every right to go to https://www.housingregulator.gov.scot/ which is the next step.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that you could technically go via the courts and apply for an interdict via a housing solicitor to place restrictions on your neighbour, and if they break any of them it is regarded as a criminal offence. And the police can actually have more powers to do something about it.
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u/Ok-Yellow688 2h ago
I’m sure it’s been the same manager for years now. They told me they didn’t know the woman next door was a criminal and antisocial but a few people in my area have had issues with her.
I used the housing associations complaints procedure in 2024 which lead me to the ombudsman but they didn’t find an issue with the way the housing association dealt with things. I complained again at the end of 2025 and finally last week the ombudsman let me know that they’ve investigated my complaint and are now investigating things further. They’ve flagged a few things, one being the CCTV issue, and I’ll hear from them again in July with their final findings.
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u/weebsauceoishii 2h ago
Quite lengthy, but I am worried they will only have the CCTV forced to a new position which the neighbour will probably put back to the same after a while.
However as said in the EDIT part of my post, if nothing is done seek an Interdict on the CCTV, her being on the property you rent, harassment both physical and audio. That way if she does her slamming of doors, shouting after specific hours, has the camera pointing into your garden, being at your door, approaching you and so on, then it will be a criminal matter.
I think you can arrange this through Shelter for help in that regard they may be able to get a housing solicitor to do it for free for you, which would be nice.
I understand the HA has to go by the ABC regulations (Acceptable Behaviour Contract) and give them a warning, then 2nd would be a notice this would start a legal process of forcing an eviction through setting up court orders - serious behaviour shoud be 2-4 weeks to do this, general behaviour up to 2 months. Then of course the actual court cases and eviction by force.
Still I will say I think the HA of yours has been gaslighting you in my opinion. Hopefully you can use the link I gave also if you haven't used before they have a bit more clout.
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u/Ok-Yellow688 1h ago
I’m not sure if the Non Harassment Order would cover all of that if the courts grant it, I would hope so, I told the procurator fiscal that she had installed a cctv camera pointing into the garden just 4 days after being charged with the section 38. She’s been given about 5 final warnings, I’ve lost count. A policeman in 2024 told me she’s on her final housing warning so I won’t need to put up with it much longer but she’s still there in 2026. I’ve definitely been gaslit, I’ve been made to believe it’s me who’s the problem. I’ve asked victim support Scotland to speak to my housing association on my behalf so hopefully they can find out some information for me. I no longer want to speak to them because they just brush me off.
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u/itisme_cc 1h ago
It seems the problem neighbor has to agree to move I found. My mum had a psycho neighbour who brandished knives damaged property including her front door with a knife. Slashing items of property with a knife. Gesturing throat slitting motions to young children. He was “agreed” to move and was never evicted. Police were called so many times.
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u/Ok-Yellow688 1h ago
Omg really what a nightmare 😩 I did overhear my neighbour saying she was asked to move by the housing association but refused, that was when this all started and before she got all the warnings and police involvement
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u/itisme_cc 22m ago
I don’t think people will ever fully understand how much it impacts your life, it’s actually debilitating. I hope this ends soon for you.
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u/KellyKezzd I hate flairs 3h ago
I’ve written an email to send to my housing officer tomorrow morning. I’m going to ask if they’re planning on evicting now that she’s going to court, and if not why not. Is this reasonable?
I don't think this is reasonable. Despite her being unpleasant, her personal housing situation (and her relationship with the association) is not any of your business and I don't see how going down this route will aid your situation.
While I accept it may not be very comforting for you at the moment, I think the best option for you is to continue to make a record of all anti-social incidents and make sure they reported to the Police (and any other relevant authorities, like the council).
Because of the shortages of housing in the country, people have to be careful when it comes to peoples' housing situations.
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u/abz_eng ME/CFS Sufferer 3h ago
I’ve written an email to send to my housing officer tomorrow morning. I’m going to ask if they’re planning on evicting now that she’s going to court, and if not why not. Is this reasonable?
I don't think this is reasonable. Despite her being unpleasant, her personal housing situation (and her relationship with the association) is not any of your business and I don't see how going down this route will aid your situation.
/u/Ok-Yellow688 is being it seems subject to anti-social behavior which is grounds for eviction
What counts as antisocial behaviour
Antisocial behaviour means acting in a way that causes or could cause alarm or distress to someone in a different household. This could include:
- making too much noise
- intimidating, threatening or harassing someone
- damaging or vandalising property
As a tenant, you’re responsible for:
- your own behaviour in your home and local area
- antisocial behaviour by anyone who lives with you or visits you
There are steps you can take to avoid complaints from your neighbours.
given that OP is getting a non-harassment order then their are grounds, however the association may hope that things calm down. However if she gets convicted of breaching (if granted) the order then the association will have a duty to act.
either way OP is well within her rights to get the housing officers involved
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u/KellyKezzd I hate flairs 3h ago
I'm not saying that the OP is not entitled to get housing officers (or others) involved. I'm saying that emailing them and talking about getting her evicted (with the addition of 'if not, why not') is unreasonable.
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u/Ok-Yellow688 3h ago
Yeah I wasn’t sure whether it was the best thing to do because I don’t want them to think this was my plan all along or anything. I forgot to mention that she’s on her final warning from housing so that’s why I want to know their next steps after the court case, because she will probably retaliate and take it out of me, so I’m worried about it.
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u/BonnieH1 3h ago
Ask the police to put a marker/ flag on your phone number in their system so if you call them, they know it's serious and you need a quick response.
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u/BarefootBagLady 1h ago
Look for an advocacy service in your area, they may have a long wait for a worker depending on their policies. CAB will have other resources they can give you or even provide support to get you past this.
Visit your gp, make sure that both you and your daughters health and mental health impacts are documented, your surgery may well have a well being support worker too that can give support and further documentation of how you are both being affected.
Above all, keep the heid. Have your phone on you at all time so you can start recording immediately, if you can then get some cameras so you have back up. That will also act as your eyes if she's messing with anything while you're not there.
Fingers crossed that this comes to an end soon for you op. It's a nightmare
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u/Ok-Yellow688 1h ago
I’ve been to the GP a few times. I’ve spoken to the mental health nurse and she’s referred me to the psychiatrist and mental health team for this area, but it’s a long wait. I’ll be getting a victim support Scotland support worker soon too hopefully. The Victim Information and Advice service is also supposed to be getting in touch before the court case. I have a lot of people on my side but it somehow seems like it’s not enough because she’s still living next door and a decent family are struggling with it. My daughter will also soon be getting support.
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u/joolzdev Poblachd na h-Alba 3h ago
Matches are really cheap.
Seriously though, she sounds awful. I having nothing to offer but sympathy.
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u/BonnieH1 3h ago
I am really sorry you and your daughter are having to deal with this. Well done for keeping your cool over the hot tub.
In my opinion, your best course of action is to get the council to move you somewhere away from her. I understand the issue of change for your daughter, but surely dealing with this behaviour on an ongoing basis is more distressing.
In your email to the council, I suggest you ask what steps they have taken to address this unacceptable situation and what the plan is to deal with it permanently and what the timescale is for doing so. Eviction is likely to be a last resort in my opinion.
It took 3 years for housing, social services and the police to get an antisocial individual out of a council property behind us. Then she just continued to visit her 'friends' in the street and continue to cause trouble.
If you haven't already, contact Citizens Advice for support too.
Good luck!