In an ideal world, everyone would get along but unfortunately that is not the case. Neighbour disputes sometimes can’t be avoided, especially as people are territorial and are passionate when it comes to their home. It is likely that you, or someone you know would have been involved in some kind of neighbour dispute. So what are the most common neighbour complaints and disputes?
Most neighbour disputes are dealt with by simply talking to your neighbour but sadly this is not always the solution and you may need to seek professional advice.
If you wondering what the most common neighbour complaints and disputes are, this article will outline them for you. If you are feeling like you are the only one going through a neighbour dispute, you are not alone.
Are Neighbour Disputes Common?
Sadly neighbour disputes are common and while many can be resolved quickly, a large amount of disputes escalate and develop in legal proceedings. If a dispute goes to court, it is a lengthy process, expensive and stressful. As you have to live next door to your neighbour it is always recommended to try and keep things amicable.
What Is Classed As A Dispute With Neighbours?
A dispute with neighbours is any type of disagreement between the neighbours that involves a disagreement, that is unresolved. A dispute with neighbours usually causes stress and has damaged the relationship between the neighbours. A common example, could be the neighbours disagreeing who owns a hedge that is on the boundary line.
If you are selling your property, you have to declare any ongoing neighbour disputes. If you are unsure if you need to declare a specific issue you are having with your neighbour, talk to your conveyancer/solicitor and they will be able to advise you accordingly.
Common Neighbour Disputes and Complaints
- Noise Disputes, particularly DIY, music and animals
- Parking Disputes
- Overgrown hedges and trees
- Property boundaries
- Anti-social behaviour
Common Neighbour Dispute 1 – Noise Disputes (including DIY, music and animals)
Not surprisingly, noise disputes are one of the common neighbour disputes. People like to have control over their personal space and noise levels. Getting woken up in the middle of the night is not fun for anyone and these types of disputes can escalate quickly.
Noise disputes can be disturbing and irritating and can impact on your enjoyment of your property. Like all common neighbour disputes, you should talk to your neighbour disputes and see if you can resolve the issue before it gets any worse.
If you are having issues with loud parties, DIY or even a dog constantly barking and can’t resolve the issue with your neighbour, then you can contact your local council for help. The police will not assist you. You can use the link to Gov.uk to make a noise complaint to your council
Common Neighbour Dispute 2 – Parking Disputes
Parking disputes are also a common neighbour dispute, especially where there is shared parking space. Disputes can also arise even where neighbours have private drives but park cars on the road. Another common parking dispute can be over the maintenance of the shared driveway.
Common Neighbour Dispute 3 – Overgrown Hedges and Trees
Another common neighbour dispute revolves around garden maintenance and in particular overgrown trees, that approach into neighbours garden. Conifers are a prime example that can grow quickly and end up over your boundary line. Neighbour disputes can also arise when there is a shared hedge and one side wants to remove the hedge and the other side doesn’t.
Common Neighbour Dispute 4 – Boundary Disputes
Boundary disputes are also another common dispute between neighbours. Boundary disputes can vary from issues with hedges, fences, driveways, pathways and rights of way. People’s territorial instinct kicks in and arguments can escalate quickly when both parties believe they are right. Try to talk in a controlled way and come up with a compromise to avoid the dispute escalating.
Party wall disputes are another common boundary issue that can arise. If the matter can not be resolved amicably, then you may need to seek advice from a solicitor.
Common Neighbour Dispute 5 – Anti-social behaviour
Another common neighbour dispute is anti-social behaviour. This can include feeling threatened by neighbours, verbal or physical abuse, or discrimination. A lot of anti-social behaviour disputes revolve around the younger generation or groups of people gathering in the street.
If you feel that you are targeted and have encountered abuse, then you can contact the police.
It is also a common dispute that neighbours use bins without permission. If you have an issue with your neighbour using your bin, I have an article that outlines how to deal with this. You can it read here.
With all of the above, if you live in rented accommodation, contact your landlord to let them know of the issues you are having. Similarly, if you live in social house, contact your housing association to report the issues you are having.
Conclusion
In conclusion, living in close proximity to others can sometimes lead to conflicts and complaints. However, by understanding common neighbour disputes and how to handle them, you can help to maintain a peaceful and enjoyable living environment. Whether it’s noise complaints, parking issues, or problems with pets, communication and a willingness to compromise are often key to resolving disputes with your neighbours.
By following these tips and seeking the help of mediation or local authorities when necessary, you can work towards resolving conflicts and fostering positive relationships with those who live around you.
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