my neighbours have been served a section 21 add 8 but the council police and letting agents seem to be doing nothing.

I put in a claim once I find out it's likely to be above my deductible (which was a no-brainer--the baseboards need replacing, sheetrock work, carpets were pulled but will hopefully be saved, etc.)The police came shortly afterwards and did a report.

Noise is always a concern with tenants, even in condos or SF neighbors can complain and police can get called.

There are kinds of down payment assistance programs in many different parts of California I read  in LA that provided up to $80k in funding i just got an email about a $10k teachers assistance program in NV .USDA loans 100's of programs across country for civil workers farmers etc The Hud lottery program for teachers,police etc another example Any little bit of assistance can accelerate the home buying timeline for those in need.

@Edit BeluliCopied from prior post.Case study- purchase price 164k for a 3 flat built in 2008 in Little Village Chicago 60623, real estate taxes $3723 or 2.27% of PP closed 3/17.Granted this is a C to C- area but I lost 12 straight deals over 6 months in this area before I landed this one and know it well.I walked up and spoke to police officers sitting in their vehicles and told them I was an investor and gave them addresses and they in turn told me which addresses and areas were good and bad.

She then kept hanging around the building so I called the police.  

The thing is, sometimes the tenants don't get along but I encourage them to call the police on each other.

Poor or run down areas usually get much attention from building inspectors, planning and zoning, police, and even the fire marshal.Blight areas are targets for redevelopment.

More often then not the property will be in a high crime area, and the local police reports reveal shootings, homicides, assaults, etc...Still I'll go drive to the property at night and my gut tells me pass.

asking local mail men/police officers are a great tip.