A very big dilemma
Well people, there’s been some resolution on the house front. In a kind of non-resolution way. So here’s what happened. We complained about the hell neighbours. HousingNZ told them to shut up. They did… for a month. They told them to shut up again, and they were summoned to a mediation, which they didn’t bother turning up to. We submitted our complaints in writing, and the tenants were summoned to a tribunal, which the guy attended with two big friends, a move intended to intimidate the judge. The judge said that she wouldn’t evict them without cross-examining us, and the tribunal was adjourned for a month. We have to decide whether we’ll testify, given that we’d be in the room with the tenants, and our names and address would be made known to them.
On one hand, we started all this, and should finish it. On the other, these people are dangerous. I can’t tell you how I know that, but it’s just the odd thing that the social workers have let drop, plus the fact that when we listen to them, they’re completely reactive, and seemingly violent at the drop of a hat. So thinking consequentially, if they get kicked out they’d be pretty steaming mad, and I have no doubt that we’d be in for some physical repercussions, whether violence to our house or to us. But if they don’t get kicked out, they’ll know who we are and we’ll probably be in the same boat. (Oh, and Steve’s in America on the hearing date, so I’d be doing it alone.)
It’s been a really hard decision; social responsibility and responsibility for the people who live in our house next on one hand, our own safety on the other. One great thing is that through the whole process there’s been a sense of God’s presence and protection. When it all comes down to it, we're so blessed. We have each other, and we can just sell the house. We've moved out our really precious possessions, and I won't stay there alone. We’ve come to realise that nothing matters as much as our safety, and God’s presence notwithstanding, it’s not wise to push it. We have to be sensible, and although it feels like we’re running away from a fight, we think we’ve decided to decline to testify, but uphold our complaint. What would you guys do? I’d like to know what people think.
Interestingly, friends of ours who lived in St Heliers in a lovely family home they've been in for years recently had the same problem, so badly that they sold their house and they and their two teenagers are now renting. (Mike, that's GB! Isn't that dreadful?) It's disgusting that often nothing can be done, and that one's home can't be a place of peace and safety.
On one hand, we started all this, and should finish it. On the other, these people are dangerous. I can’t tell you how I know that, but it’s just the odd thing that the social workers have let drop, plus the fact that when we listen to them, they’re completely reactive, and seemingly violent at the drop of a hat. So thinking consequentially, if they get kicked out they’d be pretty steaming mad, and I have no doubt that we’d be in for some physical repercussions, whether violence to our house or to us. But if they don’t get kicked out, they’ll know who we are and we’ll probably be in the same boat. (Oh, and Steve’s in America on the hearing date, so I’d be doing it alone.)
It’s been a really hard decision; social responsibility and responsibility for the people who live in our house next on one hand, our own safety on the other. One great thing is that through the whole process there’s been a sense of God’s presence and protection. When it all comes down to it, we're so blessed. We have each other, and we can just sell the house. We've moved out our really precious possessions, and I won't stay there alone. We’ve come to realise that nothing matters as much as our safety, and God’s presence notwithstanding, it’s not wise to push it. We have to be sensible, and although it feels like we’re running away from a fight, we think we’ve decided to decline to testify, but uphold our complaint. What would you guys do? I’d like to know what people think.
Interestingly, friends of ours who lived in St Heliers in a lovely family home they've been in for years recently had the same problem, so badly that they sold their house and they and their two teenagers are now renting. (Mike, that's GB! Isn't that dreadful?) It's disgusting that often nothing can be done, and that one's home can't be a place of peace and safety.