UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hello,

My first time here - I'm lucky I've managed 8 years of land-lording without serious issue! Until now...

My tenanted flat is on the 2nd floor of a block. There are 3 blocks in total on the estate. In the past 2 to 3 weeks my tenants have reported homeless people sleeping, eating and doing 'other things'    in the hallways directly outside their flat. Other neighbours have seen them too. My tenant has told them to clear out and they have but others have replaced them.

I should say, I am not a bad person. I have great sympathy for the homeless - it could happen to any of us. But it's not safe or viable for them to live in the flats hallways.

The flats don't have door entry systems - anyone can walk in, day or night. There have been requests for one to be installed in the past but they've been deemed too expensive and unnecessary - but that was before this situation arose.

Nb. The council are powerless / useless. I have spoken to them. They have advised there is a local homeless shelter - but they're full and for whatever reason these people may not want to go there anyway. The shelter have / will send someone to chat to any sleepers they find but I think it'd be very naive to think that's going to magically resolve the problem permanently.

The management company of the flats can only do what the directors (All owners / directors) tell them to do . Two of them have proposed having 'a little chat' with the sleepers, which frankly I think is again, naive / optimistic / potentially dangerous.  The third is actually an old family friend who I know is very stubborn and won't believe anything until she sees it with her own two eyes / her tenant is directly affected and complains. So far it seems her tenant hasn't been affected.

I have firmly instructed my tenants to call the police if they are worried but, honestly, I can't believe the police will help much. I once had to call them for an issue regarding the aggressive behaviour of another tenant and they refused to attend (until I cried!), because it was deemed a civil issue (and when they did attend they were worse than useless). I know they are bound to attend if specific crimes take place / are threatened but can't help if 'all' that's happening is my tenants being terrified by someone defecating on their doorstep!

I want to call an EGM where I want a vote on installing door entry to take place (or indeed any other options that will prevent entry).  There is an AGM scheduled for May, but that's a long way off. The directors - are the influence of Ms Stubborn, are saying no - this will have to wait until the AGM (by which time my tenants will have left and how can I replace them with this situation ongoing?). The management company are willing to send an open letter on my behalf to all the owners advising of said EGM. My question is - if we can't have an official EGM, can the directors / management company be bound by the outcome of a non official EGM?

Thank you for patiently reading all this and await your advice. 

I've had a similar issue.  Mine was they would beg for money and get nasty if you said no as well as camp outside my flat.

A copper told me the only way for them to respond is to say you were threatened with weapon and they will deal with it straight away.  Eventually the council will get involved if you moan enough.