Advice on a letter to help my neighbours please.

[K'Ehleyr]

So I live on the ground floor a block of 3 flats high.

Young family 'G,N & L' live directly above me. They are an adorable young family and L is just 3. When they moved in 2 years ago they carpeted the wooden floors to prevent noise, when their bathroom leaked into mine they spent their own money repairing it. If they have people round they always knock and say 'there may be some noise' and this is just for daytime gatherings. I hear nothing from them, child was poorly a while back and crying did occur, but they took him straight to the Doctors and 3 year olds are scared when they are throwing up all the time. Apart from that I just hear laughter and giggles from them all when they pass my flat on their way out. The guy works full time and the Mum works an evening job. The kid is delightful. I have no doubt they are a very happy young family.

Now it seems the 'Munster' horrible couple above them have written to Social Services with allegations of lack of care for their son. The constant crying and shouting. It's total BS. The Munsters have accused every resident in the block of one heinous crime or another in the past ~ mine being 'allowing Son (when he was 9/10 yrs) of playing football on the communal lawn', and 'not taking due care of my shrubbery'!

Munster couple do not work, they are in their 40's and claim disability yet still live in the top floor. I feel they are bitter and have no lives so want to ruin others.

I want to help 'GNL' by writing to the Social Services person and explaining my version.

What would you write? What would you stress? Would you mention that you think you knew who complained and dis their veiw?

Make no doubt ~ I am going to get involved because of all my past neighbours GNL are wonderful!

 

[Marc]

Go for it - offer the support you can and I think if they combine you character reference with the fact that the complaints from the Munsters have turned out to be pretty baseless and borderig on malicious should go along to turning into a non-event.

Could also backfire and get the Munsters into the deep dark doo-doo.

 

[trampledamage]

Who told you that GNL have been reported to social services? If it wa GNL themselves, then I would ask them for the case number or a contact name and write to that person and say plainly that you've been told they've been reported, you live beneath them and this is your experience.

Don't diss the other neighbours, keep it objective and pleasant. Put in all the things you've listed here - how they always warn you if there's noise, how they've gone out of their way to reduce noise etc.

 

[K'Ehleyr]

Go for it - offer the support you can and I think if they combine you character reference with the fact that the complaints from the Munsters have turned out to be pretty baseless and borderig on malicious should go along to turning into a non-event.

Could also backfire and get the Munsters into the deep dark doo-doo.

Hoping that will happen

Who told you that GNL have been reported to social services? If it wa GNL themselves, then I would ask them for the case number or a contact name and write to that person and say plainly that you've been told they've been reported, you live beneath them and this is your experience.

Don't diss the other neighbours, keep it objective and pleasant. Put in all the things you've listed here - how they always warn you if there's noise, how they've gone out of their way to reduce noise etc.

The Mum came down this morning with the letter. I've bascially put together a 'from what I know' they are a lovely, caring couple who adore each other and their son etc and just at the bottom put 'unfortunately there are some neighbours who take a strange delight in complaining' and didn't mention any names.

 

[KimMH]

You may also wish to emphasize the Munster couple are serial complainers and this is a pattern. It will help if it does not look like G, N & L are the only ones to run afoul of the Munsters and their meddling.

 

[Misfit Toy]

Also, don't get upset or be surprised if Social Services shows up for a visit/investigation. It's their job to respond to complaints like that, and they simply have to err on the side of caution and investigate.

 

[JiNX-01]

Social services will (and should) investigate the report. What they will do is look at whether the child is thriving. That is, is he where he should be in height and weight for his age? Is he active? Does he respond to the caseworker when s/he tries to engage him -- even if he's not old enough to be verbal?

That is what they will be looking for.

If you want to write a letter of support, enumerate the ways in which you have seen this couple demonstrate their conscientiousness as parents, not as considerate neighbors (which frankly is of no interest to the caseworker).

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

Agree with trampledamage. Focus on saying all the good points about G,N,&L. Keep it business like and fact-filled. It's good that you only reference the Munsters in an oblique way.

This is a nice thing you are doing K'ehleyr. If all neighbors were like you and G,N,&L the world would be a lot better place.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Yup, sounds like you've got it all under control. Just tell them what you told us. Kudos to you for standing behind your neighbors.

 

[K'Ehleyr]

Social services will (and should) investigate the report. What they will do is look at whether the child is thriving. That is, is he where he should be in height and weight for his age? Is he active? Does he respond to the caseworker when s/he tries to engage him -- even if he's not old enough to be verbal?

That is what they will be looking for.

If you want to write a letter of support, enumerate the ways in which you have seen this couple demonstrate their conscientiousness as parents, not as considerate neighbors (which frankly is of no interest to the caseworker).

Thanks to all

You're right JiNX and Misfit Toy, reading back my first draft of the letter does emphasise the neighbour bit rather than parenthood abilities. But they are great people and good parents and the child is happy and healthy.
I hope Social Services do visit and see for themselves. Then they can visit the Munsters upstairs and see the rooms full of cardboard boxes ~ as seen from the car park!
I've just implied that there are certain neighbours who take a 'strange kind of delight in complaining about everything and everyone' and given my contact details.

I just want to stand up for a family that I feel are being bullied! 'Tis my good deed done for this year already

 

[JiNX-01]

Just as a brief OT, K'Ehleyr, I love your av and your "location."