St Leger Homes of Doncaster failing to protect tenants from nightmare neighbour disputes, families say

Both tenants, who contacted the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) separately, claim private neighbours have repeatedly lodged malicious, unproven complaints against them and St Leger Homes (SLHD) has failed to help.

One family, who reside in Tickhill, have faced repeated complaints since moving in to the property nearly 10 years ago, but have never been reprimanded by SLHD.

“We wanted the best for our children and Tickhill is a nice area. Not eight months later, the complaints started,” they said.

Both tenants have spoken to the LDRS on the condition of anonymity.

“Over the years we have started to see a pattern,” the family in Tickhill explained. “It just got so much worse and it got to a point where next door were screaming at my kids because they were having a waterfight.”

A second household, a young tenant living alone in Intake, was the subject of numerous complaints, many of which were found to be “false” and “malicious” by SLHD, according to messages from staff seen by the LDRS.

Both families have sought a move to escape the complaints, but both claim to have been saddled with obstructions.

This has been hardest for the young solo tenant in Intake, who was shown a bungalow and told the LDRS they understood all was in place for them to move just before Christmas 2025.

But the move was delayed to January, after staff from SLHD reportedly told them a fire at another property meant other tenants were moving in temporarily.

They said they then discovered the bungalow they had fallen in love with had a permanent tenant, who had no intention of leaving any time soon.

The move collapsed and more senior staff with the social housing landlord reportedly told the young tenant’s mum, who has been picking up the pieces for her daughter, that they “do not know a thing” about the move.

Mum said the entire episode has been catastrophic for her daughter’s mental health. She said: “She has got to a stage where she does not trust St Leger at all.”

In Tickhill, the family were shown around a property which would have moved them closer to where dad grew up, and closer to relatives who could help them, but the move never materialised.

A spokesperson for St Leger Homes of Doncaster said: “We’re unable to comment on individual cases, but we can confirm that we are supporting a number of households following concerns raised by neighbours.

“All reports have been fully investigated, and we have been offering advice, support, and mediation to help address the issues. This includes signposting residents to the appropriate agencies, such as South Yorkshire Police and the Information Commissioner’s Office, assisting with applications to the Housing Assessment Panel for those wishing to relocate, and making referrals to wellbeing support services where needed.

“We remain committed to working positively with all our tenants to promote safe, respectful communities, and we will continue to provide ongoing support to anyone affected by these matters.”