A squeaky noise caused me to look out the window where I saw a mature man in a red singlet pushing a trolley along the footpath opposite. He took it behind the garages of the abandoned flats, then went into a stairwell. We’ve had new graffiti there, and a fire some weeks ago, so I debated whether I should take any action, like calling the police. Stephen assured me that older men don’t do graffiti. While I was watching, the man came out again and I quickly snapped a photo in case of later problems.
Potential squatter?
He then went into another stairwell, and was seen no more. While I wasn’t watching continually I thought I would have heard his squeaky trolley if he’d taken it away again, so I wonder whether perhaps he may be squatting there. The power has been disconnected, and I’m not sure whether the water’s still on. We don’t have a contact for the owners, and CERA is interested only in red-zoned houses. If the man is a homeless squatter he’s not doing any harm, and so I’m not doing anything, except filing my photo just in case. What would you do in these circumstances?
“If he’s a man without a home
he’s better there than on the roam.”
Oh my. Our old flats are looking terrible. Do you remember Tony? He once spotted a burglar lurking around your cottage. He would have been right onto the squeaky squatter! RIP Tony. “Liz Harris Accommodation” are the owners Ruth, if you needed to contact anyone.
good idea to snap him… in case he has done something he shouldn’t there, better than following him..
Hi Ruth. It’s hard to have a gut instinct based on reading a post rather than being there. But older single men without supporting family are so vulnerable, especially in the nightmare which is the Chch rental scene. So I’m hoping he has quietly found a place to sleep where he is dry and relatively safe.
Deb, I do remember Tony well, and have seen him a few times since the earthquakes. He’s now in a retirement home. Thanks for the info about Liz Harris Accommodation. I think they are/were the agents rather than the owners? I’ve sent an e-mail via their website. I did speak to the owner’s husband not long after the earthquakes when he told me the building would be demolished, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Sandra, I do agree. There were many older single men living in cheap old boarding houses near here before the EQs, all their homes have gone, and it’s unlikely they will be replaced, It’s very sad, especially as they were near to the City Mission which provided good support, and they’ve now been forced out of the central city.
Adele, I also agree it was good to snap him – just in case.
Deb, I had a prompt response to my e-mail to Liz Harris, and now have phone numbers to contact if I see anything suspicious. They told me they’re working towards a demolition day at the end of January.
I’m glad you were able to make contact with someone from Liz’s office, she owns a lot of rental accommodation in Christchurch. Good news re the flats being demolished, finally. They are not safe and quite an eyesore. I hope you haven’t seen Tony recently because he passed away in August! He was a good man, a gentle soul who would do anything for you. Thanks for the great blogs, they are a pleasure to read.
Deb, thank you for letting me know about Tony – he was a good neighbour. I never knew his surname, so wouldn’t have seen the death notice. Glad you continue to enjoy the blog.
It pays to be a good neighbour Ruth. Keeping our eyes open as you are, plus a quick digital photo sounds the way to go to me. I have been known to jot down the occasional car registration number if I think it looks a bit suspect.
OG, I shall be glad when these flats are gone. They are now an eyesore and a worry. It’s such a pity because they were great one-person units, with lovely river views.
As another neighbour (miss you heaps Deb) I too appreciate you keeping an eye on things Ruth…..we have noticed a bit more crime in the area since 22-2 so to be honest the sooner the flats go the better.
ps I too enjoy your blogs
Sharon, glad to know you enjoy the blogs. I noticed yesterday there are now posters stuck on the garage pillars and fence. I can’t help seeing what’s going on when it’s right outside my front windows.
Of course …. right opposite you as they are.
Will be good when they go not looking forward to the noise and the dust though!
No, but once it’s over it might be a while before they rebuild, and we will have a new vista of the river in the interim.