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Most people try and be good neighbours, and don’t set out to cause disputes. However, if problems do arise, there are a range of the options set out below that people may find helpful.
For example: Some people may have problems with their neighbour that have not occurred before. Examples of this may be noise problems from DIY or from a party, visitors parking their cars in the wrong place, children kicking a football into your garden.
If this is the first time you’ve experienced a problem with your neighbour, the right thing to do to start with may be nothing! It may be a one-off problem that will not happen regularly. Maybe your neighbour is putting up a shelf, or having a birthday party. A bit of tolerance and patience might be all that is needed to sort things out. If you are too quick to complain, it might make things worse between you and your neighbour.
For example: You may be having a continuing problem such as persistent noise from TV, music or dogs which is disturbing you and needs to be sorted out.
Try talking to your neighbour and explaining what the problem is. They may not realise they are causing you any disturbance. It is important to try and sort things out yourself first. If you get someone else involved at this stage it may make things a lot worse.
It is often difficult to approach people to make a complaint. Below are some hints you might find useful.
• Do thank them for their time and try and leave on a friendly note
THEN wait a few days to see if the problem sorts itself out.
For example: Sometimes people are not reasonable and are not willing to listen or compromise. If the problem continues or gets worse you will need to seek help from other organisations to resolve the situation. If this happens, it may be helpful to start to keep a diary, recording any more incidents of the problem, with times, dates and details of what happens, in case you need to take things further.
If you are a tenant, and the problem concerns a tenant of the same landlord as you approach your landlord and ask them to help you. Explain what the problem is, how long it has been going on, and that you have tried to sort things out yourself but this hasn’t worked. Your landlord may offer to help directly, or may suggest you get in touch with another organisation, such as mediation service, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), environmental health or the police.If you would like help and support to do this, ask your landlord to help.
If you are not a tenant, or if the problem concerns a tenant of a different landlord or an owner occupier Seek advice from an organisation that can help you, eg environmental health, community safety team or the police.