'Hoarder' neighbour making retirees' life hell

A Sydney house that has become a vermin-ridden "dump" has been left untouched by the local council despite 25 years of letter-writing from neighbours.

Retired couple Ian and Dunca said they had never had a reply to their correspondence about their neighbour Robert.

They said the last straw was when the rats started coming onto their property from next door.

Robert's house has old cars dumped out back, cat food and tins strewn about, and even exposed wiring - which Ian and Dunca worry is a fire risk.

The couple also told A Current Affair the state of Robert's property had reduced the value of their own home by $50,00 to $80,000.

"People would come out and look at our house and take a look next door and walk away," Ian said.

When Cumberland Council was contacted by A Current Affair, they promised to look into the issue.

"We will be looking at using our resources and potentially the resources of a thirsd party to get a sustainable solution to this long-term problem," council environmental boss Brendon Govers said.