New York Stories?

hmmmm... maybe, but thats three short stories, and this was defiantly (i think ) a proper film.  It might not have been nick nolte

thank you though

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000560/

Scroll down and there will be a list of all his films.

Hider in the House, Gary Busey? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H...he_House_(1989_film)

Could it be

Patty (Melanie Griffith) and Drake (Matthew Modine) are an unmarried couple, who are finacially strapped, but want to desperately keep their Victorian home. They decide the only way to ensure they don't lose it, is to rent out the bottom floor to Carter Hayes (Michael Keaton). After all, his references are impeccable, and he appears to be an upstanding guy. However, things are not as they seem--in reality, Hayes is  a frighteningly dangerous psychopath who will stop at nothing to claim the house for himself, making certain the law is on his side.

I think Blizz'ard is probably right with Hider in the House with Gary Busey. Link above doesn't seem to work so try IMDB site

Erinp's post doesn't mention the name of the film which is Pacific Heights (1990) which is another possibility but Michael Keaton doesn't look like Nick Nolte.

.

Thank you all for the replies Blizzard m'dear, I do believe you have got it  

Thats it !!! and not nick nolte at all

But thank you thank you thank you ...it really has been bugging me something terrible!

Yay! 

I just googled 'film obsessed man living in attic'.

I was convinced it was nick nolte, i think thats why i was barking up the wrong tree

I was thinking Nick Knowles, when I first read your post! 

That takes diy sos to a whole new level

DIY SOS THE HORROR
he built an attic, he refurbished it in a neutral colour scheme ... then he moved in ........

Quick, get a copyright, before Rawky sees it!