My elderly neighbour feels

[brenda]

rather intimidated.The scenario--- my neighbour is 92 , lives alone in a semidetached bungalow. He is in very poor health. deaf and has no family.I along with other neighbours do his shopping.
The bungalow next door to him has been sold , and since February there has been much construction work in extending the bungalow.
Two weeks ago the construction workers approached Jim the 92 year old . and said they needed access to his loft to complete the electric installation to the house next door. He refused. He is not a well man and was very worried about people in his property whom he was unable to supervise, or fully understand what they wanted to do.

Since his refusal all building seems to be suspended, but he is really very apprehensive as to what the outcome may be.

As neighbours we have tried to find out what the request was for , and the construction workers seem to have disappeared.

Has anyone any clue , as to what they needed to do?
We are anxious for him and his well being .

Any thoughts , advice very welcome.Sincerely Brenda.

[jackthehat]

I can think of no good reason why access should be required to a separate property.

I think he did exactly the correct thing and if there is some 'genuine' reason, someone needs to come round to Jim's and explain in properly to him.

[brenda]

Thanks both of you --- have felt quite disturbed by all this . will see Jim tomorrow and then I am of to the local cop shop. They are only there for one hour each day 10-- till 11am .Hope we never get a crime wave --lol . will update you on what they say.

[themas]

I agree with Eddie - inform the police. It is very suspicious that the workers seem to have disappeared. In any case, he should not have been approached by them but by the new owner if access was genuinely needed. If he is approached again he should certainly refuse again - there cannot be any reason why they need access to his property. The services will all be entirely separate.

[sherrardk]

Could you contact the new owners via the estate agent who sold the house? Maybe they could pass a message on if they are not allowed to give you contact details.

[brenda]

sherrardk--- good point but no idea who is the owner or the estate agent. We do not have estate agents in the village where we are, but there are many in the next big town .So that would be a big job for me

[askyourgran]

I agree there is no reason for them to access Jim's property. He did right to refuse, I hope his neighbours continue to keep an eye on him, even though you inform the police. The new owners should be told of this too.

[sherrardk]

Ask your neighbours if they can remember which estate agents was used - someone might remember.

[ttfn]

Brenda, perhaps someone would be willing to put a note through the door of the property inviting the foreman to contact them to explain why and for what purpose access to Jim's property is required? It may be a quicker route to see what their intentions are. Nice to see how you all keep an eye open for Jim's best interests though, well done all of you.

[joko]

they may well have not been the actual builders, but opportunists waiting for when the real builders appeared to be finished on the job, or not turning up any more, and went in dressed up as builders... more believable, and also explains why the real builders have vanished too...

[brenda]

Thanks sherrardk-- will do. Will go up the street tomorrow and ask everyone.

[brenda]

OMG -- The scenario could well be a lot worse than we thought -- thanks joko .will keep all posted.

[brenda]

Thanks ttfn -- will do just that as well. In fact will put a note through when I take the dog out at 10 pm. will let you know of any outcome.

[Ric.ror]

If I win the euro millions tonight I will reward your kindness and thoughtfulness brenda

[DaisyNonna]

Brenda, thank goodness for people who care for their neighbours.

[chas2008]

the only people who would have any reason would be the electricity company and as everyone says cant see any reason why, unless the power is by shared overhead cables to the property.Even then builders shouldnt be touching them.

[brenda]

Update so far.

Saw Jim this morning and said that we were concerned for him , but that he was right in his refusal.
Gained a little more info---- it is something to do with a power line, which runs from a pole in the street to his house.
The electric company have also approached Jim and he has refused them also.
Must admit do not fully understand all this.
Asked JIM if he would like me to put a note through the door of the empty property requesting that any workmen or whoever to contact my friend or myself prior to contacting Jim He ageed to this ---- so note in a sandwich bag tied to the scaffolding----not able to get to the door for building rubble.
Called in the local cop shop----- they were interested and said they,d tell their walk about officer to come down our street once a day----- gave me a card with a
number on to phone and the name of the local beat officer--- have given this to Jim.

No luck so far on the agents who sold the property.

Jim has given me the tel number of his social worker and would like me to phone her and explain all.Will do in the morning -- she is apparently a very nice
peson and JIM relates well to her.

My friend has become involved , she is another neighbour, because she didn't want me to do this on my own and I am grateful for her support.

[boxtops]

That really is Neighbourhood Watch at its best, brenda - well done.

[wolf63]

Good that Jim told the guys where to go - my dad would have let them in without checking ID etc, he was far too trusting.

[emmie]

thank heavens for neighbours like you. Wish we had the same x