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Contacting Your MP About a Neighbourhood Problem

By: Jeff Durham - Updated: 26 Nov 2023 | comments*Discuss
 
Contacting Your Mp Writing To Your Mp

Many people will often turn to their MP in order to try to get a particular neighbourhood problem resolved. What people tend to forget, however, is that while your MP is there to serve members of their constituency, there are so many people who make up the constituency that they cannot be expected to get personally involved in specific issues relating to an individual.

Their role is to help in matters which central government or Parliament is responsible for and, while they do have a duty to represent the general issues which affect their constituency and, where possible, to bring those to the attention of the wider audience of influential MPs and cabinet ministers in the House of Commons, they’re not there to resolve specific personal issues.

What MPs Do Not Get Involved With

Before attempting to contact your MP, just remember that they won’t get involved in certain issues such as these below, although this isn’t an exhaustive list:

What Does My MP Actually Do Then?

It’s first of all important to state that MPs are genuinely concerned about issues that affect their constituents. After all, it’s the constituents that have got them to their position in the first place by voting for them, so they are morally obliged to serve you. They’ll often have local councillors who they will liaise with about certain issues going on in the constituency and, if a neighbourhood has a specific problem or issue, it will usually be the local councillor who will raise that with your MP.

So, if you do have a specific point you wish to raise, it’s often better to contact your local councillor instead of your MP, as that is more likely to result in your MP taking notice of a particular issue. This might include things like the level of services being provided by your local council such as problems with rubbish collections, public amenities, council housing repairs and much more. They will also be able to explain the Local Government Policies within a neighbourhood.

Contacting Your MP

One of the best ways of contacting your MP is to keep an eye out in your local newspaper or check your local library’s notice board as MPs hold regular ‘surgeries’ once every month or so at places like a local library or community centre. Obviously, they’ll only be there for an hour or so, and there may be many people wishing to raise issues, so there are no guarantees that they will be able to answer any specific points you may wish to make or that you’ll have the chance to raise your point at a specific time.

Most MPs will also tend to update you by sending you their own leaflets telling you what issues they’ve been working on for the benefit of the local constituency. In this case, you’ll often find that they might already be aware of certain issues within the constituency which you were going to highlight, and that they are trying to resolve particular problems that might be occurring.

If, however, you do feel a strong urge to contact your MP, the best way to go to about is in writing. You should write to them at the House of Commons address as they are busy people and are often travelling about. Any mail directed to them will be dealt with by their office staff via a letter to the House of Commons. It has its own website which, if you put in your postcode, will provide you with the name of your local MP. Many will also include an email address, although don’t assume that because you send them an email you’ll a) necessarily receive a response, and b) that they’ll get to read your email personally. As mentioned previously, they are busy people and usually have secretaries who carry out much of their administrative work.

What to Read Next...

Antisocial Behaviour From Your Neighbours.

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We have a neighbour upstairs who has been disturbing us for 3 years . We always knock on his door but he never comes down . I knocked today but he did notcome down and he started screaming b*stard to me. it is scaring everyone even little kids . He is a dangerous person .There is multiple men living up there . We complained to the police but they said to complain to the council i did my wife did that but im complaining here because i think there will be a better chance of you doing something here .
Omer - 26-Nov-23 @ 11:03 AM
i have terrorist racist neighbours in worst town in england and when i escape multiple attempted murders while billie, emma, rebecca, and musician friends have let me novichoked, sexually abused, poiosned and police have got involved in injuring and abducting me. after three years and mutilple new homes attacked and three years of homelessness isnt is about time my real frifriends if they exist rescue me and my ex who they hate and does more than they eve have done? i went to dover and folkestone and theyve left me being abused by public. to avoid police brutality and corruption and masked nurses the sas warn about in sun neewspaper articles perhaps they could turn up wherever i am my friends and actually be open and remember im james not ian brown and set me free and get me somewhere better rather than confuse me? ive been all over uk, scotland and wales and they want to ban me from public and ive been poisoned and robbed and sexually molested and abused and onlyfans women have abused me and my ex and stolen money by making non consenual porn for years and robbing me of inheritance money. they also have everyone in country aganst me and are trying to steal her house and gas us and poison us as security services ive a;llegedly work for refuse to stop terrorism and active ongoijng terror threats. apology and help needed from my little friends who i care about but did they just use me for fame emi style. where are you when builders who threatened to injure me block me and use assets to assault me? for three years and italy been doing it since 2016? you all know where i am so whats your excuse for partying while i die? its no time to die? so stop music biz mind control and save a dad. redeem yourselves as history isnt kind to men who play god.
jack - 21-Oct-22 @ 9:43 PM
im well known to my family and my family are making me suffer blaming chinese ex but when i leave her they just leave me abused in wales, scotland and england. horrific neighbours tracking and stalking me and injuring mr and theyre trying to force me into homelessness for third year. all emails down and phine not secure. im well known as musician and ive been poisoned in wales and friends and family want me to chase girl for three years and she hasnt turned up leaving me getting abused down below and anti terror hotline not interested and rozzers have abducted me and threatened to cripple me as uk looks on. worst town in england still abuisng m eand others and family and friends could help but choose to make adult movies instead while no time to die scenario unfoilds. family you better save my soul and set me free as neighbours underneath gassing me and dtalking me and hunting me for years now and i need some nice things to happen. thank you!
jack777 - 21-Oct-22 @ 9:33 PM
Am 9 months pregnant and was place in temporary accommodation by Lambeth Council in Croydon.I've contacted the council, police my son social worker and landlord about this issue about a guy next door .who is doing drugs outside of the building there people having sex outside of the building and he's slamming the main door that is causing us to cant sleep at all. He is always swearing at us he even came to fight me and my son because I told him to stop sleeping the door. The yard has rats,rubbish and alot more of heath issues WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE !as no one seem to want to help us before it's to late . Can I please get some advice on what I can do thank you
Breezy - 6-Oct-22 @ 12:42 AM
I live in a block of flatswhich are privately owned and I am a tenant. We have allocated parking bays. My car is directly parked under a very large Ash tree which is over the boundary fence belonging to Broxbourne council. My car is constantly covered in pigeon muck it’sbeen happening for many years it’s ruined my cars paint work and is a health hazard. There is no outside tap to wash the car and I live upstairs and am a senior citizen. I’ve contacted Broxbourne council over the years but nothing has been done about the tree which I’d like to be pruned back not necessarily chopped down. I love nature etc but it’s quite depressing to face this constant mess and see my car ruined on a daily basis. I did contact local MP by phone a couple of years ago but didn’t get anywhere. I hope you can be of any help. Thank you
Joterri - 4-Aug-21 @ 12:28 PM
I am concerned about my block of flats, a friend of mine residing there has requested cameras be placed in my block, as I have, the response was no invasion of privacy, I am vulnerable since my mum passed away nearly 4 years ago, I have noone, would feel safer with cameras erected, what is my next move please
Sherwood18 - 18-Jul-21 @ 7:03 PM
We have a detached house and behind it there are two car parks which belong to several oof the adjacent properties. Immediately behind the fence that separates us from these car parks is what was described in the deeds of our house as a hedgerow however over the years the trees within this hedgerow have grown and a few of the trees are well over 40 feet high.The roots from these trees are impacting on my property and I am currently having to have my patio relaid because the tree roots have raised the paving slabs.During this process large roots have been found that are perilously close to our house.Some of these have now been removed but I have been advised that the offending trees should be removed otherwise if any roots continue to move closer to our house it could cause subsidence.I have approached our parish council but they only deal with trees etc under 10 feet high.Our parish councillor contacted the borough council on my behalf but despite the council having at the time that the estate was built specified that the hedgerows should be retained within the estate claim that the land is private land and gives the addresses of two of the houses - one on each side that are the owners - clearly the council is unaware of the size of the car parks and the number of houses it serves.I do not feel that I have the right to seek to have the trees removed at my expense and also do not feel that I should have to pay to have this work done as the cause of the issues I am facing is not on my land.
Sheila - 8-Jul-21 @ 11:27 PM
I have end of terrace house and there is an alley between my house and the next door neighbur. Since 2013 damp has been spreading in my house which is coming from the out side of the wall of the next door neighbour side. Severel time I requested and pleaded and access for builders to do the damp proof work and every each time she and her two sons refused. Finally I went to court in 2018 and the judge overruled in my favour and told her to open the gate to the builders. The damp proof work take only 1/2 days and I let her know in advance that the builder is coming yet she refused to open the gate regardless of the judge's decision. I have spent over 15 hundred pounds for the solicitor to get her open the gates which is by law (1992 Neighbouring Act) I have a right to do remedial work. Yet she and her sons are not letting me to fix my house. I am all alone no relatives and no families ad they know this and they have been bullying me and one of her son's shouting at me saying that his God is coming to punish me. I have severe osteoarthritis and asthma and the damp in my living room is badly effecting my health. I told her about my health and her son shouted at me saying "fix inside, we do not care"Can anybody please help me? I lost my sister 27 mounts ago to cancer and I could not even properly mourn for my loss. When I told them that I lost my sister and pleaded them to be reasonable, I only got their deaf ears. Is there some one out there to help me?
Serap - 24-Nov-20 @ 12:02 PM
I have end of terrace house and there is an alley between my house and the next door neighbur. Since 2013 damp has been spreading in my house which is coming from the out side of the wall of the next door neighbour side. Severel time I requested and pleaded and access for builders to do the damp proof work and every each time she and her two sons refused. Finally I went to court in 2018 and the judge overruled in my favour and told her to open the gate to the builders. The damp proof work take only 1/2 days and I let her know in advance that the builder is coming yet she refused to open the gate regardless of the judge's decision. I have spent over 15 hundred pounds for the solicitor to get her open the gates which is by law (1992 Neighbouring Act) I have a right to do remedial work. Yet she and her sons are not letting me to fix my house. I am all alone no relatives and no families ad they know this and they have been bullying me and one of her son's shouting at me saying that his God is coming to punish me. I have severe osteoarthritis and asthma and the damp in my living room is badly effecting my health. I told her about my health and her son shouted at me saying "fix inside, we do not care"Can anybody please help me? I lost my sister 27 mounts ago to cancer and I could not even properly mourn for my loss. When I told them that I lost my sister and pleaded them to be reasonable, I only got their deaf ears. Is there some one out there to help me?
Serap - 24-Nov-20 @ 12:01 PM
I have end of terrace house and there is an alley between my house and the next door neighbur. Since 2013 damp has been spreading in my house which is coming from the out side of the wall of the next door neighbour side. Severel time I requested and pleaded and access for builders to do the damp proof work and every each time she and her two sons refused. Finally I went to court in 2018 and the judge overruled in my favour and told her to open the gate to the builders. The damp proof work take only 1/2 days and I let her know in advance that the builder is coming yet she refused to open the gate regardless of the judge's decision. I have spent over 15 hundred pounds for the solicitor to get her open the gates which is by law (1992 Neighbouring Act) I have a right to do remedial work. Yet she and her sons are not letting me to fix my house. I am all alone no relatives and no families ad they know this and they have been bullying me and one of her son's shouting at me saying that his God is coming to punish me. I have severe osteoarthritis and asthma and the damp in my living room is badly effecting my health. I told her about my health and her son shouted at me saying "fix inside, we do not care"Can anybody please help me? I lost my sister 27 mounts ago to cancer and I could not even properly mourn for my loss. When I told them that I lost my sister and pleaded them to be reasonable, I only got their deaf ears. Is there some one out there to help me?
Serap - 24-Nov-20 @ 11:59 AM
Hi I have a neighbour that has let his house and garden go to rack and ruin... this is now causing a problem with my property damp and his garden is over growing into mine... I am just looking for a little advise.. He no longer lives there and I do not know where he has gone to
Louise Wilson - 19-Oct-20 @ 6:30 PM
I live in a block of flats no problem with the block lovely neighbours. My problem is people who don't even live on the street using our wheelie bins to dispose of they waste. I'm sick of not been able to put my rubbish out as someone from another street has filled up the bin with they waste what can be done about this?
Sue - 10-Aug-20 @ 1:44 PM
I am wanting an extension for my disabled son. I own my property. The party wall is not involved in the building work but needed a survey done on it.I have used a surveyor that my neighbours landlord recommended and all was well and cleared. Now the landlord wants another survey done with another surveyor at my cost. This is further delaying the build and my disabled son has not had bathroom facilities for over two years. This is all because the landlords mother hated disabled people even though she became disabled herself.
Lin - 21-Jul-20 @ 3:45 PM
I have recently moved to a local authority house my neighbour owns her house but she puts food out for birds but it also causing rabbits, squirels , and any other birds etc to come to her garden causing a nuisance the squirels have made their way in to her actual house through a vent and the birds have been in my kitchen at the back of units etc I contacted council who came and temporarily blocked the hole the birds were coming in but the neighbour got ladders and took the temp covering off she’s also giving me hassle because the council are going to cut trees down that are in my garden saying it is the home of birds etc causing an issue .i would like to know what I can do regards this any advice would help .i also have 2 autistic children one of them are terrified of insects and won’t go in garden due to this
Summer - 14-Jun-20 @ 7:18 AM
I am concerned that my neighbour has asbestos in the front garden leaning on to mine. It's been there 4 about a year. I'm very worried what will I do?
Millie - 18-May-20 @ 8:39 PM
Re being a carer and dealing with clients that have suspected coronacan you please contact me
Haz - 12-May-20 @ 4:13 PM
We are at our wits' end regarding constant and persistent deliveries made to our neighbours. They are living in a new build property which forbids any type of business being run from it. They completely flout that and have now jacked in work and are sitting on their backsides happily selling on Amazon Handmade. I have seen it myself! The deliveries coming and going are up to FOUR TIMES A DAY EVERY DAY. This blocks us in, creates horrendous noise with slamming of vans all the time and even trying to get us to take the items! Not!! The council do nothing as we have reported them. The police do nothing as we have reported them here too. They get away with it. Can anyone help please?
Not Scottish - 30-Mar-20 @ 5:04 PM
Travellers have taken over a disused car hire site on the corner of Park Avenue and Barking Road,, East Ham.Can anything be done about this? How do I report this?
Tibbs - 22-Jan-20 @ 2:31 PM
I live in a small cul de sac and a neighbours visitors are coming at all hours. They will block other people in and park in front of the other driveways for hours on end. I am seeking some help because they can park down the side of the road where they aren't blocking anyone in. If asked to move their vehicles, they get offended and this ends in arguments. I have contacted the people that we rent from but they just keep saying talk to neighbours. Like I haven't tried that! We have the white lines on the road as one resident is disabled. If they happen to have an emergency, the emergency services cannot get close to their house as someone is parked in the way.
fionasayshey - 20-Oct-19 @ 3:57 PM
Hi im careing for a young single mother of 2. She suffers with mental health and one of the kids are autistic and other not even 2 years old. She has just been through courts and social services due to her ex partner physically abusing her and the kids. Her nabour upstairs bangs on the floor constantly atleast every other hour because her autistic son screams and makes the normal noise a child at 3 years old does. He bangs on her door when i have left to shout and moan. Hes reported her for being loud and the kids. And now just 2 days ago he kicked off because i took her and the kids to the fair and the dog barked a couple of times. They dont go out often they was out for 4 hours nearly 5. Her next door to the right have around 3 dogs that constantly bark but he hasn't said boo to them but has to her. hes accusing her off allsorts and calling her a bad mum saying shes out all night which is not true as i walked her home that night she was in by 8pm the only day she was out . Its starting to take a toll on her. Its not fair that she is getting the threats of eviction and knocks on the door and letters in her letterbox. All because she wont stand up for herself against a fully grown big man or dare report him. She is intimated by him and when hes spoke to he raises his voice and when a voice is raised back he shuts up and records and reports why he smiles at her. Hes been offered to sit down and talk with the council present. And refuses. He has an 18year old daughter and himself and she is all alone with 2 kids and yet shes the one getting threats of eviction. We will take this as far as possible now.
L.f carers - 23-Jun-19 @ 7:30 PM
My neighbours this weekend have attached slate shards to the top of there wall to deter cats from entering there garden. I have spoken to the council and they will do nothing about this as it is a private property. However surely this is a health and safety issue as if the slate is very sharp and an animal or person would get seriously injured by this. Can you let me know how i need to precede with this issue.
Schulme - 22-May-19 @ 2:51 PM
My husband and I have mental health problems,2 kids and have been having troubles with neighbours,the police,abs officer,council officer are involved but haven't don't anything but to tell them to pack it in,which never works,neighbours still bad,we feel so isolated and uncomfortable in our home,we cant go out of our front door or garden without getting abuse from neighbours,i feel suidcidel living where i am,we are on homechoice but only band E,we have done a welfare form with proof of our mental health and physical,can the mp help with moving council tenants due to harrassment by neighbours and health getting worse from living where they are?thanks
Nicho - 19-Mar-19 @ 5:53 PM
I have a problem where I live and I will appreciate if you share your opinion for any solutions of the problem I live in a block of 8 flats. It is a shared freehold and we have a management team to deal with common issues There was a time when internal management of the building was rotated among the flat owners but since this small group has arrived, they have taken over the management functions entirely and refuse to take our concerns seriously. I would go so far as to say they are actively hostile and intimidating.And the impact is substantial. Some of neighbours have sold their flats and left. During my last attempt to sell my flat, the ‘management’ group created many problems to make it harder for to sell my flat. Now I cannot sell my flat or I cannot live in. At the AGM they don’t allow we talk also when we complain about management behaviour towards us they don’t record at the minute of AGM. Many Thanks
KarlLondon - 27-Jan-19 @ 4:31 PM
I was threatened in August this year by a local resident and police arrested him as he threatened to hit me with a Hammer. I have tried getting help but as of yet received none . My local Mpaso said speak to my local councillor which she told me to report to the council, which I have done.I have contacted the police and told them he has threatened me whilst on bail to appear in court and contacted witness team and told them that due to the threats I am unwilling to attend court . I was told that I would receive asummons to appear in court if I failed to go any advice on what I can do as I am in fear and can't leave my property as I fear seeing the man ?
Without a paddle - 7-Dec-18 @ 1:59 AM
We are going through a horrendous and traumatic ordeal with our neighbours. They have recently physically attacked us and entered into our home, after an incident occurred in our communal hallway and though we were assaulted by them, we were arrested by a police officer who was INCAPABLE of dealing with and calming the situation. Our police force is in "crisis management"but this is ridiculous. Some officers really do need anger management! Their response to a given situation seems to work on a "first come first served basis". So if you get attacked by your neighbour and they happen to get an insignificant tiny piece of mobile phone footage whilst they are attacking, don't worry, you will only be charged, treated like a criminal and put in a cell for 24 hours. This is a truly unsettling experience and the body in place to protect us as public citizens does nothing more than abuse its power and brand innocent people like criminals, whilst the real perpetrators get away scott free! Well done to our good old British police force!!
moneypenny - 21-Nov-18 @ 12:10 AM
From 2001-2018 am still living at a one-bedroom Housing Association Flat which am still at but am now staying in neighbouring block of flats again in a one-bedroom Housing Association Flat where I am now caring for my 87 year old mother who has onset dementia/alzheimers but is petrified of being seperated from me her only daughter aged 48. My mum moved here in 2007 to support me as have been a victim of name-calling since I moved here. Sought Mental Health treatment from 2004-2018. Evaluation of no family/medical history of schizophrenia no diagnosis in case notes asked where it had come from said GP visit in 2004. Concealed my illness from everyone until last year. Now victim of vicious neighbourhood gossip and name calling by my mums adjacent flat and a male visitor to flat below hers. Am depressed. Please advise. Thankyou. KIm
Moan, Moan, Moaning - 22-Oct-18 @ 4:42 PM
Hi i need some advice. Me and my partner both suffer with mental health issues. 2 years ago our downstairs neighbours flat became a drug den. He has multiple people in the flat on a daily basis. There a constant arguments and violent out bursts in his flat, some of the people he lets in have threatened me for simply looking out the window. Police are investigating this. However i have told council that its affecting my mental health and they refuse to do anything. The druggies have actually caused damage to the security doors. Along with that the neighbours directly next door to us have had none stop arguments and music blaring at 2 in the morning. Was just wondering if anyone had any advice on what i can do.
Tahnee - 16-May-18 @ 11:40 AM
Hello, my name is Sam I would like some advice on how to deal with a housing officer who works for a housing association who is nothing more than a bully.... last year in November I got taken to court (unnecessarily).. due to having an outstanding balance...that balance was £789...they didn't take off the housing benefit which would have went down to £410.FOR WATER!!.. i paid that sum of money 2 months before the court date... I asked him to withdraw his case he didn't so I went to court with my 2 daughters 2yrs and 5 month old ..at that time.. even the judge said that this is un heard of due to it being water arrears not rent and that the sum of money was paid well before the court date... so that was it..i won my case.... so I thought... he's obviously not happy with the courts decision..hes been harrasing me for £80 and more on top of that for WATER!!!..and that last time I got lucky he said to me over the phone..i was mortified I said you took me to court for nothing expecting me to pay the court fee and lose my case on what grounds??..well anyway he's demanding so I thought about what to do next so I made a complaint to the housing association about this I expect some sort of information in 10 days?.. so I've been looking online to see what else I can do to stop this bully... he's threatening me to take me to court again for £80 WATER?!..and that next time I won't be so lucky... he can't do this can he?..ive had a place before it was a 1 bed and I needed more space as I have children...anyway I had that place for 8 years and I've moved here for nearly 2 years in December...both housing associations... so what could I possibly do to stop this horrible person..id like a different housing officer.. but live here as my daughters are growing up my little girl starts nursery in September we have built a life here and we love it.., but surely people shouldn't be treated like that... I do believe that I'm being bullied.. and I'm scared of what he might do next.. Please help me x
Sam - 25-Apr-18 @ 5:29 PM
Mp's are a waste off time money there not really that busy. What's the point off having an MP if there not here to help
Indi - 13-Nov-17 @ 8:36 PM
They are council Tenants, I have contacted my housing officer, environmental health have been contacted multiple times, I'm currently on the waiting list for noise recording device, I was told at the beginning of January and told there was a 4 week wait time, I'm still yet to receive the device. I'm still calling up the council weekly to report them, yesterday's incident of verbal abuse was caught on video and the police have been informed. The council don't seem to care or want to do anything about it.
Jmd89 - 2-Mar-17 @ 5:37 PM
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