IF YOU have ever had a moan about your neighbours, spare a thought for those without any.

An empty house in a street can all too often throw up a whole range of serious issues for those living nearby.

We are all used to reading headlines about the need for new homes, but the number of properties standing vacant and falling into disrepair is a growing issue in south Essex.

Last week, the Echo revealed how a man left his house empty for 24 years.

Postal worker Daniel Tellis, 60, bought the property, in Central Avenue, Hadleigh, in 1983. But he has always lived with his mother in Kimberley Road, Benfleet.

Residents living in Central Avenue have made repeated complaints to Castle Point Council about the empty house and asked for it to be cleaned up.

Now homeowners in Burlington Gardens, Hadleigh, have suffered a string of problems caused by a bungalow left empty on their street for the past 15 years.

They have complained of unsightly weeds and peeling paintwork, while noisy foxes have taken up residence under the dilapidated garage.

On Sunday, police were called to evict a squatter, who had noticed the empty bungalow and brought along their belongings to move in.

Neighbour and mum-of-two, Rebecca Howard, said: "When you've got small children, it's not a nice thing to live next door to. It's such a shame.

"There is meant to be a housing shortage - but people still let their homes become derelict."

A second neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "I am disgusted with the way the owner has let his property deteriorate.

"The garden is a jungle. It's appalling a house should be left so long with no respect for the neighbourhood.

"Apart from the inconvenience, it doesn't improve your own property and could affect its value."

Fellow residents, they say, had repeatedly written to Castle Point Council over the issue, and the owner was thought to be finally making moves to improve its condition.

Fed up householders in Marine Avenue, Leigh, are experiencing exactly the same dilemma with an empty property falling into rack and ruin.

Earlier this year, neighbours clubbed together to fire off letters to Southend Council urging them to instruct the absent homeowners to take action.

Neighbour Helena Milbourne said: "It's been like that for years. You look at it and just cringe. There used to be a pigeon flying in and out the bedroom. The owners come by now and again."

Another added: "It is an eyesore. The back garden is absolutely awful." A third neighbour: "It's a shame they don't just sell it if they don't live there."

New legislation brought in by the Government, in July 2006, was designed to allow councils to better manage properties not being properly cared for by their owners, through Empty Dwelling Management Orders.

These orders, unlike Compulsory Purchase Orders, do not involve a change of ownership.

Mark Flewitt, Southend Council's portfolio holder for adult social care, health and housing, said no orders had yet been issued in the town. However, he admitted a "limited number" of properties had been identified.

Negotiations, he said, were under way with Estuary Housing Association to see if it could manage such properties if orders were made. Cash plans for any necessary repairs and improvements to make a problem property habitable have yet to be considered by councillors.

Commenting on the Marine Avenue situation, Mr Flewitt said: "The council is considering the possibility of housing assistance through a grant or loan, to encourage the property back into occupation.

"We are in communication with the owners, but there is some way to go before all the formalities can be completed and an offer may be considered."

Ray Howard, chairman of Castle Point Council's environment committee, said: "Empty Dwelling Management Orders are a last resort and have not yet been required in Castle Point.

"Informal discussions with property owners are often the most effective way of dealing with problem properties. In the case of Central Avenue, the council had not had a complaint since 2005.

"However, following the most recent one, the council has served notice for the removal of the car on the front of the property, and our officers are trying to contact the owner. In Burlington Gardens, we have been given reassurances over the future of the property."