Dealing With A Neighbour Dispute

At CompareTheSolicitor.com we realise that we our expertise are finding the best possible solicitors for our clients. What our clients must bear in mind is that using a solicitor can be a costly method, so whilst it is very effective it can also be fraught with dangers.  Always use solicitors as a last resort. We have a number of methods below our solicitors section that you may find as a useful course of first action.

 

 

If you do find that you require a neighbour disputes solicitor then  your first port of call is for:

 

A letter from a solicitor may be helpful in making a neighbour realise that you are serious about your complaint. It may be particularly effective in making tenants realise that the next stage might be eviction by their landlord. It may also be necessary when, for example, there is genuine disagreement as to who is responsible.

 

Although a particular disputes may be resolved successfully through the courts, the relationship between neighbours may be damaged. It is also an expensive course of action to take unless you are eligible for legal aid. You need to ensure that you have the appropriate solicitor to meet your needs. If you can provide CompareTheSolicitor.com with an overview of your case we will find the right firm of neighbour disputes solicitors for you.

 

 

A complaint should first be made to the neighbour. If it seems that one or both parties will be unable to keep their temper during such a meeting, it may be advisable to write.

 

Sometimes a neighbour may be made to see that their behaviour is anti-social if representations come from a group of neighbours.

 

If an initial approach to the neighbour has failed, there may be local mediators who are able to help.  As well as neighbour disputes solicitors we also have some connections with high level mediators that may be able to resolve all of the issues. Contact us and we will be happy to discuss your options.

 

If the offending neighbour is a tenant and refuses to co-operate when approached directly, it may be appropriate to contact the landlord.

 

If the property is owned by the local authority, the authority’s housing department should be approached. It may be prepared to contact the offending neighbour to help resolve the problem.

 

If the property is owned or run by a housing association, it may have a housing officer who deals with disagreements between tenants.

 

If you think discrimination is involved in a neighbour dispute, make sure your landlord knows this.

 

A private landlord can apply for possession on the grounds that a tenant has been a nuisance to neighbours or committed an offence such as racially motivated attacks. If it is possible to find out who the landlord is, they might be prepared to talk to the tenant about the problem. If you think discrimination is involved, make sure your landlord knows this.

 

The police can be called if it is possible that a criminal offence is being committed. Common offences in the case of neighbour disputes are breach of the peace, assault or harassment because of your race or sex. If you think racial or sexual harassment is involved in your neighbour dispute, make sure the police know this.

 

In cases where neighbours may be breaching public health or pollution laws, the local authority environmental health department can be approached.

 

An environmental health officer will usually contact the neighbour and attempt to resolve the matter informally. If this fails, a notice may be served on the neighbour, requiring the abatement of the nuisance. This means they are required to stop, or deal with, the nuisance. 

 

The local planning department has the power to investigate if there has been a breach of planning control. The authority can issue an enforcement notice if the neighbour has carried out building work without permission or is using the land for an unauthorised purpose.

 

Some behaviour by neighbours could amount to discrimination and may be against the law.

 

For example, you may have a problem with your neighbours because they are behaving in a racist way. If you have been attacked because of your race, this is called a 'racially motivated attack'. The person who attacked you may have committed a criminal offence. It is also a criminal offence to attack someone because of their religion. This is called a 'religiously motivated attack'.

 

Racially or religiously motivated attacks can include verbal abuse or threats and abusive slogans painted on a wall or building.

 

 

 

If your neighbours are discriminating against you in any way, you should get help from an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. They will be able to advise you about the best course of action to take in your circumstances. Alternatively, contact us and we will put you in the hands of a respected firm of solicitors that will deal with the problems for you.