A TAXI driver from Dumfries says he is “dying inside everyday” as a result of nuisance neighbours disturbing his sleep for over a year.
Kayhan Dost, of Arnott Terrace, said he was “living peacefully” at his privately rented flat at the start of his tenancy in May 2019.
But four months later new occupants moved into the property above, leased out by Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership (DGHP).
And Kayhan said a failure to have their floorboards carpeted has impacted his fitness for work and worsened existing mental health problems.
In a video seen by the Courier, persistent footsteps and voices can be clearly heard coming from the flat above Kayhan’s.
He said: “I am trying to find my way to have my peace. I am a hard working man and come in to my flat after long hours at work to get some rest and peace. If I don’t get enough sleep and peace this also affects my driving ability and affects my mood. I really don’t know what to do. I need some help, I am really dying inside everyday.
“I’ve been suffering from anxiety and stress the last few years and this problem makes it worse. I also suffered from PTSD for a long time and received help.”
The 34 year-old added that he flagged the issue up with DGHP, Dumfries and Galloway Council, his local MP, and police, who visited the property three times between May and August last year in response to noise complaints he made.
However, action is yet to be taken to mitigate the disturbances and upon a visit from community safety officers and DGHP, Kayhan was advised to either change his shift pattern, get a new job or move out.
He said: “They’ve told me it’s the residents’ lifestyle not to lay a carpet down. It was clear to me they weren’t visiting my flat to help me.”
Responding, a spokeswoman for DGHP said: “We are sorry this gentleman is unhappy with the noise coming from a nearby property.
“We are investigating all options in this case and will continue to work with everyone involved, including the police antisocial team, to find a solution.
“We understand that, during lockdown, with people spending more time at home, there has inevitably been more household noise than normal. We take these matters very seriously and work hard to resolve them. For example, we’ve just invested in a new app to help customers accurately capture and report noise nuisance incidents.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council failed to comment.
A Police spokesman said: “Police Scotland received three reports of excessive noise from a property in Dumfries in 2020. On each occasion this was looked into and no criminality has been established.”
