We all know what its like living with neighbours who cause a issue with noise. Be it noisy children up until all hours or the unwanted party tenants who decide that one weekend they are going to invite half of Bournemouth round for a shindig. This can be a common issue for long term tenants and owners living in busy blocks or in popular areas. So how do you go about the polite but firm way of dealing with this?
We have some steps for getting those nuisance neighbours on side and living harmoniously together (well we hope!)
- Try to solve the problem by talking with them first. If you do not feel comfortable enough face to face then a polite note through the door explaining you don’t mind them having the odd party now and again but if they could kindly keep the noise after say 11pm to a total minimum. Unfortunately, we do live in a day and age where some people cannot be negotiated with, and it may end up with a door in your face. But…you tried…the nice way.
- Contact your neighbours landlord. It may not always be easy to find out because it may be through a letting agent, private landlord or housing association. However, for example, if you happen to live in a block of flats, you should have a board of directors or block committee you can go to and at least express your concerns with them with full discretion. They will have a list of all owners in the block and be able to contact the landlord.
- You can ask your local council for help if the neighbour dispute involves an activity that is damaging to health or a nuisance. This is known as a ‘statutory nuisance’. Your council has a duty to investigate any statutory nuisance. This includes;
- noise (including loud music and barking dogs)
- artificial light (except street lamps)
- dust, steam, smell or insects from business premises
- smoke, fumes or gases
- a build-up of rubbish that could harm health
4. Another option would be to contact the police. It is totally ok to do so if the neighbours were now getting abusive, aggressive or even physically violent. Some cases the tenants are not only breaking a tenancy agreement but now breaking the law with any other behaviours that are not tolerated. If all else fails, you can take legal action against a neighbour. Taking someone to court can be expensive so it should be your last resort if nothing else works. There may be court fees and you may have to pay a solicitor. We would advise though it is best where possible to avoid that level of action, for the sake of neighbourhood relations, to avoid disputes with neighbours and to maintain social cohesion in general. You may still have to live next door to them indefinitely.
SOME POINTERS:
DONT EVER FEEL INTIMIDATED IN YOUR OWN HOME
DO SPEAK TO SOMEONE, DONT SUFFER
MAKE NOTES OF NOISE DISTURBANCE AND IF IT IS THAT LOUD…RECORD IT!
DONT LOOSE YOUR COOL, BE THE BIGGER PERSON AND BE POLITE
DONT RETALIATE WITH SIMILAR BEHAVIOUR…THEY WILL JUST COMPLAIN ABOUT YOU THEN!
