Neighbour dispute FAQs
What are the most common neighbour disputes?
Neighbour disputes can arise for various reasons, but some of the most common disputes include:
- Noise: This can include loud music, barking dogs, or noise from DIY projects.
- Property boundaries: This can include disagreements over the location or ownership of a boundary, or disputes related to shared access or driveways.
- Trees and hedges: This can include disputes related to overgrown trees or hedges, or disagreements over who is responsible for maintaining them.
- Anti-social behaviour: This can include disputes related to littering, graffiti, or other disruptive or threatening behaviour.
- Parking: This can include disputes over the use of parking spaces, blocked driveways, or parking on the street.
How do you handle neighbour disputes?
Neighbour disputes can be handled through communication, mediation, legal advice or court action. Seeking legal advice promptly can ensure that your legal rights are protected and help you resolve the dispute efficiently and effectively.
What counts as a neighbour dispute?
A neighbour dispute can be any conflict or disagreement between neighbours, which can include issues related to noise, property boundaries, access, trees, or anti-social behaviour. These disputes can result in stress, frustration, and damage to relationships between neighbours.
What to do if neighbours are intimidating you?
If neighbours are intimidating you, seek legal advice from a neighbour disputes solicitor or the police. Keep a record of incidents, avoid confrontation and try to communicate with them. If the situation escalates, take legal action to protect your legal rights and interests.
I've fallen out with my neighbour, what should I do?
Make every effort to resolve the dispute, without giving up the rights in your property deeds. Approach your neighbour to solve the problem amicably. Some local authorities run mediation services that you may be able to use. These disputes can be the lengthiest, most costly and bitter disputes that we see and it is worth making effort at an early stage to avoid a problem.
If the dispute doesn't end then put a polite request in writing. You should also maintain a detailed diary of all incidents. Please remember that this may need to be produced to court at some stage.
Where are my deeds?
These are crucial to any dispute. Your lender may have held them in the past. However lenders are now recording all information electronically, and sending deeds back to borrowers and their solicitors. If you've got the deeds then keep them in a safe place.
What is the Party Wall Act?
This sets out a procedure if you are doing the following:
- Work to an existing wall or floor shared with another property (a party structure)
- Building on the boundary with a neighbouring property
- Excavating works near to neighbouring properties.
Appropriate notices need to be served in order to protect your position. The Act then provides for both parties to appoint surveyors or a single agreed surveyor, who will act impartially. The surveyor will draw up an award, detailing the work to be done. The condition of buildings will be recorded, together with timetables for access and the work.
My neighbour is doing work that is causing damage - what can I do?
It may be worth calling the police, who can assist in some situations. You should also seek advice quickly as you may be entitled to obtain a court order stopping the work (an injunction).
My neighbour is being abusive and threatening me – what should I do?
The police may intervene if the threats and abuse are serious, or amount to harassment. It is worth giving them a call.
Get in touch with our neighbour disputes lawyers
No matter the type of dispute you are experiencing with your neighbour, our neighbour dispute solicitors and lawyers are here to guide and support you throughout any legal proceedings you may wish to take. As mentioned previously, it is advisable to try and resolve neighbour disputes amicably, but if this has been attempted and unsuccessful, we will be happy to help resolve the issues for you.
To discuss your neighbour dispute case and have an initial chat about your situation, feel free to call us on 01616 966 229. Alternatively, if you would prefer to fill out our online enquiry form, a member of our team will then contact you directly as soon as possible.