It's been in the news this week about a family being ordered to tidy their house and garden up by the council, and this got me wondering if the same could be done to a family living in a private house? My mum's neighbour's house is a complete wreck - just like Steptoe's yard - overgrown hedges, junk all over the place, and gutters are hanging off and water in running onto my mum's house from it.
The neighbour obviously doesn't think it's a problem (it's been like this for years) and he's not disabled or elderly (so no excuses there!) so can anything be done officially to get him to clean up a bit?

I would have thought you could take some sort of action if your property is being damaged. Take legal advice or contact the Citizens Advice Bureau.

An ASBO might be an option, at the end of the day, they are being anti-social.

But, if you took measures to repair the damage their actions, or lack of them, have caused .. it might be possible to claim the cost through the small claims court.

we can report neighbours whose gardens overgrow blocking the footpaths.
and quite right too, more trouble than parked cars.

enquire to their landlord if theyre ignoring your pleas!

there isn't a landlord - these are private houses, which is why I wondered if there was anything that could be done (like there is for council houses).
I think maybe a call to the council about the overhanging hedges could be a good start - maybe that will make him realise that his house is in a state.
Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll keep you posted!

cheers

If you think its a health hazard then contact environmental health... they might be able to do something

apparantly if you mention the pos of rats to the council theyre straight in there to sort out-council prop or private but i suppose thats naughty!