The Most Common Neighbourhood Disputes

Originally written by Sarah Clark, updated by the editorial team on 14th April 2026

Thousands of neighbour disputes reach council desks and advice bureaux every year. From barking dogs to boundary walls, the same problems keep appearing.

If direct conversation doesn't resolve the issue, putting your concerns in writing often helps, and you can quickly create a formal document using our free Noise Complaint Letter Builder.

Noise Problems

Noise complaints outnumber all other neighbour issues. Most people tolerate occasional Saturday drilling or summer barbecue music, but persistent noise becomes unbearable.

Start by speaking directly to the person causing the problem. Many don't realise their television carries through thin walls or that late-night washing machines disturb others. When direct conversation fails, document when the noise occurs and how long it lasts: this record becomes essential if councils investigate later.

Environmental health teams can investigate and serve noise abatement notices in serious cases. Police involvement typically requires immediate disturbances threatening public order rather than ongoing noise issues. If the noisy party rents, contact their landlord: landlords often intervene when noise risks breaching tenancy agreements.

Consider mediation services before making formal complaints. These resolve disputes faster and more cheaply than council procedures.

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Boundaries, Fences and Hedges

Property boundary arguments have filled courtrooms for centuries. Title deeds provide the starting point, though they often lack the clarity needed to settle disputes. The Land Registry provides title plans for a fee, but these may lack precise measurements.

Chartered surveyors can sometimes clarify unclear boundaries, though their services cost money. Court action proves expensive and slow: most solicitors recommend mediation first.

Deeds should specify who maintains which boundaries, but many properties lack clear guidance. Without legal obligation to maintain boundaries, neighbours cannot be forced to repair broken fences. When poor maintenance damages adjacent property, the responsible party may face liability, though proving this can be complex.

Property owners can generally alter boundaries they own, provided new structures remain safe and within permitted heights. Special rules govern "high hedges" blocking light: councils can intervene, but only after residents attempt direct resolution first.

Shared areas like communal gardens, bin storage or driveways cause friction when some residents maintain everything while others contribute nothing. Leases or deeds should clarify responsibilities. Environmental health teams can require cleanup when communal areas pose health risks.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Gardens, Trees and Overhanging Branches

Garden disputes typically involve overhanging branches, spreading roots, or overgrown areas affecting neighbouring properties.

Property owners may cut branches or roots crossing their boundary, though specific circumstances vary. Offer cuttings back to the tree owner first. Work must stay within your own property limits, and take care not to damage the tree: this could create liability.

Trees blocking light create more complex problems. No simple council procedure exists for light-blocking trees, unlike high hedges. Legal action remains possible but expensive, requiring evidence that light loss significantly reduces property value. Council tree officers might inspect dangerous or diseased trees, particularly when public safety could be at risk.

When Children Cause Problems

Normal childhood noise falls within reasonable tolerance, but property damage or persistent trespassing requires different responses.

Speak to parents when neighbourhood children damage property. While parents aren't automatically liable for all childhood actions, most will pay for accidental damage like broken windows or trampled plants.

Persistent problems like repeated garden intrusions or deliberate damage need firmer responses. Warning parents about potential police involvement can focus attention, though actual police calls should be reserved for serious situations. Early intervention prevents positions becoming entrenched: most neighbours prefer resolving disputes amicably.

See also: Letter Template: Problem with Neighbour's Tree for more on this topic.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Neighbour Rights Checker lets you check your legal rights in any neighbour dispute. Takes 1 minute. Try it now →

157 questions

Ask Problem Neighbours a Question

ProblemNeighbours Editor 02/09/2026 at 8:00 am

@Dixie Just to clarify, we're an editorial site rather than an investigating body, so anything you log should go straight to the police or your local council's antisocial behaviour team. It does sound like a genuinely sad situation, and social services may be the ones who can actually help the lad, so a safeguarding referral is worth considering. You don't need to monitor round the clock either; keep a rough diary when you can and let the professionals do the rest.

Dixie 02/09/2026 at 7:25 am

I think the police may have been in touch with your department. To follow up, Police again visited the property, after reports of the neighbours son running away. The young lad in question, has been screaming obscenities for the last few nights. The mother is a well known drug user, only cannabis allegedly, and when I asked why she used it, her reply was, 'I have been on it since I was 11 years old, so I won't be stopping using it. We as neighbours don't want to smell the drug, and think her troubles stem from drug use. Her son was found by the police, returned home, and taken away again, either with the police or his grandmother who was at the house. The neighbour has a daughter who left home a few years ago, and it seems history is repeating itself with the son.
Someone must help this woman, she can't cope with life it seems.
Hope you can help,the police are investigating drug abuse I think, and asked me to log any callers and take registration numbers, but I can't be on call to log everything.
Hope this will help in your investigation.
Dixie.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 26/08/2026 at 8:00 am

@Exhausted That behaviour sounds dodgy and worth reporting to 101 as suspicious activity, especially the one wandering round the back. Leeds City Council don't tend to fund private security kit, but their Home Safety Service and West Yorkshire Police can do a free security survey and sometimes offer grants for locks, lighting or cameras if you're considered vulnerable. In the meantime, a video doorbell and a note of any vehicle reg plates will do you a lot of favours.

Exhausted 26/08/2026 at 7:51 am

What do you do when, on 2 random separate occasions, men with accents very similar to those of the traveller community knock on your door using manipulation techniques to rent your home?

The first occasion I was asked if I was interested and there could be an amount if cash involved to do so.

The second occasion, he knocked on my door and immediately continued round towards the garden of my property, crossing my privacy boundaries etc. When the door was answered. He asked if the property was for rent. To which he was told NO. Then he proceeded to say, 'he thought the property was vacant as he'd spoken to the neighbours next-door and that's what they said'. I know this is a lie because I get on very well with my neighbours. Again he was told No. I also know he was scouring the property for the land size. For what use, I'm unsure.

Can I get more security features within my property grounds via Leeds city council?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 24/08/2026 at 8:00 am

@Mike Your local council is the right port of call, not the police. Report it to their Environmental Health team as a statutory noise nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Even though it only happens ten times a year, they can log incidents, issue warnings and eventually serve an abatement notice if it continues. Keep a diary with dates, times and how long it lasted, as that evidence is what they'll act on.

Mike 24/08/2026 at 7:04 am

Our neighbour, uses his hot tub from about 1.30 am to 3.30 am (sometimes later). He and his party (or sometimes a few others) arrive in his back garden when everyone has gone to sleep and shout and swear at the top of their voices. We sleep in the loft bedroom and the noise makes it impossible to sleep. I have mentioned this to him on two previous occasions and though he appears contrite at the time, he still persists. I have contacted the police but they have told me that they don't deal with noise complaints. As this happens infrequently, about ten times a year, is there anything I can do? Thanks

ProblemNeighbours Editor 22/08/2026 at 10:00 pm

@Jay That sounds genuinely exhausting, especially on early shifts. Keep a written diary of every incident with dates, times and how it affects you, then submit it formally to your council's Environmental Health team (not just a general complaint) and ask them to open a statutory noise nuisance case. The crack in your wall is property damage, so get photos and mention it separately. If your landlord is involved, copy them in too, and consider Citizens Advice for next steps.

Jay 22/08/2026 at 9:28 pm

How do you cope with neighbours that are constantly making noise can't literally hear there conversation and they slammed there front door so hard it's put a crack in my wall I work im up at 04:00am iv had this for the last eight month iv made a noise complaint told the council even rung 101 to see if they could help im not getting no help from no one im losing my mind with the job I had I can't go round and say what I would love to say to him so I'm trying to go the rite way but it's not doing nothing for me I really don't no what to do..

ProblemNeighbours Editor 20/08/2026 at 9:00 pm

@Jane That sounds really unsettling, and you shouldn't have to put up with it. Start by keeping a diary of dates, times and what happened, as you'll need that for any complaint. Report the noise and the behaviour near your window to Leeds City Council's environmental health team, and if you feel intimidated or threatened, ring 101 to log it with the police. Please don't confront him yourself if you don't know him, let the proper channels handle it.

Jane 20/08/2026 at 8:41 pm

Why is my neighbour kicking his settee a d can feel vibrations on my settee his name Jamie and he lives in 63 hepworth ave churcwell and also coming close to my front room window and it scared me and I dont know my neighbour at all I live at 69 hepworth ave I should not have to live like this

ProblemNeighbours Editor 12/08/2026 at 9:00 am

@Lily That sounds really tough, especially with everything you're dealing with at home. Under the Control of Pollution Act, councils can act on noise that's a statutory nuisance, and Sunday garden work before certain hours often falls foul of local bylaws (many areas restrict it to after 10am on Sundays). I'd ring your mum's council environmental health team and ask them to log it. A polite note to the neighbours first sometimes works too, as they may not realise how far the sound carries.

Lily 12/08/2026 at 8:28 am

I am currently looking after my mother who has stage 4 cancer, her property backs onto a large house with a big garden. They are constantly using some sort of power tools to cut back the large garden at 8am, the noise is terrible. It seems to be constant even on Sundays. There is no break from it. It is the noise of the tools they are using that is causing distress

ProblemNeighbours Editor 03/08/2026 at 6:00 pm

@Chelle Blocking you in could count as anti-social behaviour or even obstruction, so start logging dates, times and photos, and report persistent incidents to your council's ASB team and 101 if you feel intimidated. For a permit scheme, you'll need to petition your local council; they usually require a formal request from residents, a consultation, and a traffic survey before a Residents' Parking Zone is introduced. Getting your neighbours on side with a joint letter tends to speed things up considerably.

Chelle 03/08/2026 at 5:45 pm

What do I do when a neighbours family continuously attempt to intimidate you through parking in the resident parking area to the extent that they block you in occasionally. How do we make our area a residents only parking area with permits.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 18/07/2026 at 11:01 pm

@Julieeales That sounds really frustrating, especially at that hour on a work night. Your first step is to knock and politely ask them to turn it down, as many people genuinely don't realise how loud it carries. If that doesn't work, or you don't feel safe doing so, ring your council's noise team, most have an out of hours service you can report to online. Keep a log of dates and times too, it'll help if it becomes a regular thing.

Julieeales 18/07/2026 at 10:32 pm

My is still having a party and the time is 11.34 clock and the music is very loud and l can not go to bed not very hungry with this

ProblemNeighbours Editor 12/07/2026 at 1:00 pm

@Jade That sounds genuinely rough, especially with young children out that late. Start by keeping a diary of dates, times and what happened, as you'll need it for any formal complaint. Report the noise to your council's environmental health team, and if you're worried about the kids' welfare given the drinking and threats, ring the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or contact children's services. Avoid confronting the parent directly if alcohol is involved.

Jade 12/07/2026 at 12:36 pm

Hello
I would like to ask what I should do when my neighbours are being problematic. Their dogs bark, kids scream and play in the garden after 10pm, sometimes up until midnight and they are only 12. The parent of the kids is an alcoholic too so they shout at the kids, sometimes threatens to kick them out. The latest they've been out playing was last night at quarter past midnight. Sometimes they play on the street, running around and screaming so loud everyone wakes up. The friends of the kids join them as well, making it even louder and they are a lot younger than them. I think the youngest is like 3 or 4 years old.

Dee 08/07/2026 at 8:28 am

Hello.

The disturbances I am experiencing include, persistent loud shouting and screaming, children running heavily throughout the apartment, repeated banging, dragging of furniture, loud conversations and frequent door slamming. The noise regularly continues until around midnight and then begins again as early as 4:00am, 6:00am sometimes or more commonly from around 7:30am everyday, repeatedly waking me from sleep.

I understand that some level of everyday living noise is expected in an apartment building. My complaint is not about normal household activity, but about the frequency, volume and timing of the disturbances, which are having a significant impact on my ability to sleep and quietly enjoy my home.

I believe I have seen the family a few young children and 2 parents, above me is a 1 bed apartment that has turned in to a playground. They don’t seem to speak much English so with there being a language barrier what can I do? As I am exhausted with disturbance everyday.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 02/07/2026 at 9:22 pm

@Debasish sarkar That does sound frustrating, especially when a quick chat over the fence could sort most things out. Do reply to the council in writing with your side of the story, as they're obliged to consider it before taking any action. It's also worth asking them for specifics of each complaint so you can address them properly. You could try popping a polite note through your neighbour's door suggesting a conversation, though sadly some people prefer going straight to authorities.

Debasish sarkar 02/07/2026 at 9:10 pm

My neighbour keeps complaining on different matters to council without even contacting us. I find it very unfair as this could be resolved with a simple conversation. . I also find it unfair as i am receiving letter from council where they are not listening to our side of story.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 26/05/2026 at 7:45 pm

@Jonny That sounds really wearing, especially when you're trying to sell. The drug use and noise are the main things you can actually act on, so report the cannabis smoking and antisocial behaviour to your local council's ASB team and to 101 (you can do it anonymously). The food dumping attracts vermin, which is a separate environmental health issue, so log that with the council too and keep a diary of dates and times. Try to leave the benefits side out of any complaint as it'll only muddy the waters and isn't something officials will act on. As for the sale, you don't have to disclose informal complaints, only formal disputes, so be careful what you put in writing.

Jonny 26/05/2026 at 7:45 pm

Over the road to us there is an Jamaican lady and her son both don't work and sit on the front of there house smoking weed cannabis and the lady often throws food on the footpath for the crows seagulls a d pigeons also magpies and rats. They don't work and it is getting to us now as we are trying to sell our house and there stood outside drinking alcohol smoking weed cannabis loud music shouting about. The area stinks of cannabis and I don't understand why they are getting benefits. The lad is about 18 or 19 never worked and the mother well who knows what she does apart from get benefits and drinks . A good role model for her son .

Many thanks

ProblemNeighbours Editor 26/05/2026 at 8:41 am

@Cordyline Just to clear one thing up, there isn't actually a blanket law banning building works on bank holidays. Most councils set permitted hours through their environmental health rules, and these often allow weekday hours but restrict Sundays and bank holidays to either limited times or no noisy works at all. Your best route is to check your own council's website for their specific permitted hours, then report breaches to environmental health, even if it's only by email after the fact. Repeated reports do build a case, so it's worth logging every incident with dates and times. Sorry you've had your garden time spoiled, it's a genuine frustration that daytime enforcement on holidays is so thin on the ground.

Cordyline 26/05/2026 at 8:16 am

I understood that building works are illegal on bank holidays where there is drilling banging music playing whilst working etc yet it seems there's no one to complain to.
On Christmas day one of the neighbours had the flat roof resurfaced and yesterday Bank Holiday Monday a neighbour had their guttering replaced required the roof edge to be lifted. Drilling banging music playing. It seems these days you can't enjoy your own garden anymore either because you can't get help from anyone or are told to email them which isn't solving the problem at the time 🫣. I'm a pensioner, don't drive, have disabilities and all I wanted to do was sit in the garden with peace and quiet. You can only contact out of hrs from 6pm but there is no one to help during the day on a holiday!

ProblemNeighbours Editor 14/04/2026 at 8:59 am

@Markie I understand how frustrating this ongoing noise issue must be for you and your neighbours. For persistent council housing problems like this, I'd recommend contacting your local council's environmental health team directly.

Markie 18/06/2025 at 6:15 pm

Further to my earlier email l would appreciate an update concerning the constant ongoing DIY and noise at 25 Meynell Square, and what steps the Council Housing Management team to investigate and to deal with this persistent problem encountered during the past twenty months by myself and my long suffering fellow neighbours.

Erica 24/11/2023 at 10:44 am

Our road includes two rows of terraced houses with an alleyway between them that gives us access to our garages to the rear. One new neighbour has knocked down part of their front garden wall that was a boundary to this alleyway so they can access a new drive from it without going through planning for a dropped kerb. The new neighbour the other side of the alley has taken down half the fences his side and concreted over half his garden so he can park on it from the alley and access a new workshop. This wasn't on the plans approved by the council where this building was described as a hobby room. We have a covenant in our deeds as I suppose the others do as built at same time that says we all own the alleyway and all are liable for its maintenance. The extra traffic as a result of all that means the surface is getting churned up and the nice grass along the sides and centre is getting chewed up. My query is. Should they have sought permission from all us owners and what if we didn't all approve? Can we enforce anything? These people have never helped to maintain the alley I don't suppose they'll start now. The council says they can't intervene as it counts as a private road

Marcia Stratta 05/08/2022 at 12:00 pm

Hiya
We have had an ongoing issue with our neighbours son and his basket ball for three years now. The hoop is right behind our garden fence and he's constantly playing and banging on our fence. It's so noisy and annoying. We have spoken to them to try and get them to move it or play at certain times which they did at the beginning of lock down. Now it's any time of day for hours at a time. We work from home and love gardening and it is becoming more and more annoying. We complained to council, recorded it and did a diary. Council came over but said as its an isolated issue they can't do anything.
The neighbours now swear at us and tell us to f... O.. When we ask him to stop for a while. It affects having friends over, our sleep as he can play early and wake us up, having time on our loungers is impossible with the banging constantly.
Now we are just continuing to argue but they don't care.
What can we do?

bulldog01 17/09/2021 at 6:39 pm

We have lived in a semi,for the last 13 yrs on a new build estate.we are in our early sixties.
Each & every neighbour that moves here is worst than the last neighbour.
We have a semi attached to us,& a detached on the other side.
The neighbours in the semi,have three young children,they are school teachers, which i find incredible as they have no idea how to parent. There little darlings! are in the garden at around 7am at weekends,after school evenings.stomping around on the decking.Banging doors.Screaming,speaking or should i say making annoying sounds.parents don't care! They seem to like being there children's friends? so they never ever get disciplined. The detached house, a young couple without children, the guy has set a gym in his garage. so we have the noise from that,as his garage is attached to ours. We have less privacy as he insists on keeping his garage door fully open. Makes it awkward to use our garage,as i feel i am invading his space if i walk to our garage.at the same time he parks his car in such a way,that it takes space off our path,so taking the bin out is awkward.they also have there food delivered,outside our front door. We are finally putting our house up for sale! we hope their new neighbours are as inconsiderate as they are?

RONZA 23/08/2021 at 9:22 am

We've recently moved into our new home 2 weeks ago after being homeless for several months. Our neighbour next to us has been parking out front of our house for a few days now blocking the driveway for houses infront of ours and making it harder for our cars to get in & out of the street. We own 3 cars so one usually has to be parked outfront and they always take up the parking spot (One that isn't blocking the driveway across from our house) making it so much harder for my heavily pregnant self having to move all the cars out to park the one on the road into our driveway & moving each car & reparking them everytime we need to leave the house. We have tried resolving the issue with them but they refuse to park either infront of their house or even in their own carport, that we've had to contact the police to try n resolve the matter which didn't help at all cause they're still parking there -.- So mf frustrating and such inconsiderate racist people.

crusher 12/06/2021 at 10:22 pm

we've lived here since 2002, in a ex semi terraced Council house, the hose next door is still owned by the council and has had new tennents for 3 years, their next door semi neighbour, ( drive way between us is also privately owned like us, when the council sold properties off they transferd the boundry deeds , so most of the remaining council houses are no longer responsible for the boundry fences, some neighbours are responsible for both boundry fences ( left and right ). While some only three right fence ? So when the foreign people moved in next door in the adjacent semi to us, they started painting their semi neighbours fence ? Until the council got involved to tell them it wasn't their fence despite being on the right hand side. Just a brief step in history ? 3 years ago before the foreign people moved in , we spent £2,500 putting up a new boundry wire fence just before the previous old lady council tennant died ? (Wire mesh fence like around Schools , parks, commercial , industrial units. )
We came home the other day to find planters hanging on our wire fence ? Sadly I don't remember any one asking our permission ? Hovever to keep the peace we overlooked the 3 small hook over planters . Big mistake! Several days later we noticed strings tied to our fence as supports , presumably for climbing plants . So tactfully we chatted to the son next door as the mother aparently doesn't understand or speak English ? They confirmed they were climbing plant supports tied on our fence .I then pointed out that the fence was ours , as the boundry fence is our responsibility on our Deeds. ( thanks to the council ? ) I then explained thats why we have put wires along ourside 3 years ago and training our Wisterias along it as a Screening, I then pointed out that their climber plants are butted up against our fence and they cannot climb up my fence as I never gave permission , neither did I give permission for plant support strings or fixings to be fitted / tied to my fence, or baskets to be attached . I pointed out and told them to remove it all as the climbers will climb and grow through the wire mesh and caurse problems with my Wisterias on my fence. My wife was livid that people just push and see what they can get away with ? So we contacted the council complaints department, explained no permission has been given and they never asked before the did it. We explained we wanted the plants removing as they were butted up against our fence and if they weren't moved they would self attach and climb our fence,
So instead of removing them the neighbor in question put up a FREE Standing trellis about 3 inches away from our fence and bent the climber over too it instead of digging it up and moving it else where . So we contacted the council and explained the climbers were not actualy on our fence anymore, but when they grow bigger and mature, they will come into contact with our fence again in several years time! The council said well if its a self stand

Dollycart 08/06/2021 at 6:46 am

I have had a dispute in the past with neighbours we have both signed a written agreement. One issue is there children’s Basketball came into the garden I was out at the time and the neighbour put a note though the door . I came home and noticed no ball in the garden I have a camera in the back and noticed someone had been in my garden to get the ball what should I do about this I do not want a as a as anyone coming into my garden . Gwendoline

H 14/05/2021 at 11:08 pm

We live in property where we park on the road. Parking can be an issue as many residents have more than 1 car. Now my neighbour who has a drive seems to park infront of our house and not in his drive. Told him politely but refuses to move it into his drive. Does this make sense where is the sense in this?

Fiona 03/05/2021 at 5:54 pm

We live in a mid terrace property and share a passage way to the our rear gardens. Our neighbour wants to use our passage way for his business use with his staff coming and going at least 5 days a week. He is in Social Housing and we are private. His business would involve a chef, plus drivers/sellers of a food from a mobile food take away business. Also waste disposal people. He intends to use a trolley from a unit along the garden path and into the passage way where there is a deep step.
We object to this on the basis of our home becoming like business area with non-residents using our passage way and causing noise with the trolley and the potential smell of foods. There could be health and safety for employees matters here.
We both have rights to use the passage way to reach our back gardens but this is for business use and one that will interfere with our peace and life.
Does anyone know how we stand for this please?

Toddy 18/03/2021 at 11:24 pm

I have just purchased and old property and have a window that looks onto the next door neighbours garden
The first night they banged on the window saying they were going to block the window up as it looked onto their garden
My property has been empty for over 8 years the window has been there for over 25 years,and my neighbour has lived there for 6 so have been used to nobody living there
I found out that they have changed there patio from the far right of the property to outside my window knocking a hole in the side of their house to accommodate there new sliding glass patio,but cannot find ant planning permission to do this,creating this dispute
Do i need legal advice for this

Dellboy 06/01/2021 at 10:58 am

I have lived on a cul de sac for 11 years. About 3 years ago a neighbour moved into a house opposite. They started dealing drugs, drinking and having all their weird mates come round. In some of the houses there are children and elderly people. Sure they don’t want to see that! When they come round they always park their cars in front of our driveway, preventing us from leaving. We then put up a sign telling them not to block the drive but they just ignore it. They have now destroyed it (5/1/21) Police have been told multiple times and been round but nothing was done. They don’t care about anyone else except themselves and their drugs.

Neal 30/12/2020 at 12:00 am

My neighbour, who at a point in his life decided to buy a mid terrace town house which puts him in proximity to others does not like other people, especially children. He has complained about our toddler looking at him through a hole in the fence and shouted at us on bonfire night for having a small fire and some fireworks finished by 8pm. His interactions range from plain awkward to facetious, sardonic spiced with classics like referring to my little boy as 'it' and leaving me to make amateurish attempts at diagnosing his mental health while barely containing my rage. He seems to be universally disliked on our street so at least i can be fairly sure it's not me. I've so far avoided spifflicating him only because he's the sort that would be straight off to the bill if you did so much as look at him.

Until we accrue enough wealth to find a property surrounded by dense woodland for 500 metres in all directions i have resigned myself to marvelling at how his body can support such a huge spherical head with bulging eyes and how someone with such social ineptness can exist on such a densely populated island as ours.

We're all in this together folks, Jean Paul Satre had it right- hell is indeed other people. Especially when you share a fence.

Try not to kill anyone, move house until you find neighbours who aren't ar****les.

Distressed 20/10/2020 at 4:44 am

I live in a ground floor flat in a 4 in a block, there has been ongoing problems with the neighbours who have been throwing cigarette butts and rubbish off there balcony onto my front door patio area which they have watched me clean up for the last 2 years, they have have now started spitting from the balcony onto my property. We share a bin recess and they are constantly dumping their rubbish bags in the bin recess and have resorted to using my bins as theres are full and contaminated as they dont take out there bins or recycle properly. I was taking there bins out for the them for a while to stop the situation escalating, also my bedroom is close to the recess so the smells and the animals bugs etc were getting into my bedroom. Any time they have been approached about these issues she has been very defensive and aggressive towards the person who is confronting her taking no accountability for her actions even comparing her bad behaviour to other neighbours saying it's not as bad as this neighbour or that. I believe they were fined recently due to the fly tipping and dumping of rubbish in the communal bin area which hasn't stopped them continuing, I believe this is what has now led to them spitting from the balcony onto my front doorway entrance, between the lack of respect and cornovirus my fears have heightened greater about approaching them. I am also pregnant which has now put me in a position that's very uncomfortable and making my anxiety worse as I fear catching a virus and cannot continue cleaning up their mess. Please help I dont know what else to do.

Zebedee 17/08/2020 at 1:43 pm

My elderly mother has noticed that building work by the neighbour's has caused rubbish and materials to be pushed into her fence forcing it down and intruding these building materials onto our property.
When this occurred is not clear as the damaged fence is adjacent to the shed and so the damage is hidden from the house .
however the materials are partially on my mothers land , the fence has been damaged. Is the neighbour required to remove his property from my mothers garden and repair /replace the fence? If he declines to do so, can we get in a firm to do so and recoup the costs from the neighbour?

Coley 10/08/2020 at 5:49 am

Trying to get it out of my throat what the best thing to do

Nick 10/08/2020 at 2:40 am

Hi, my neighbour has decided to place a gardan table outside the main entrance of our flats.
Unfortunately, since they did that it,s a lot more noisier than before. They sit with componey out side my bedroom windows to 12 midnight and later. We don't have a garden, so I wonder can I remove that table, so thing go back to normal.

Jennypen 27/05/2020 at 9:23 am

I have a neighbor across road from us it's been going on about 5 weeks now when we sit down to eat our dinner ect at our table which is in window she open blinds and starts doing hand things to us and when we walk outside the blinds are going and shouting trap ect at all of us she say we are looking at her but we are not what can we do plz

Lynda poo 08/04/2020 at 4:08 pm

Hi the entrance to my front door is at the side of my property there are steps leading to my door.i store my bins behind the wall here.
My neighbour is storing his bins next to mine which I have asked him to remove his response it's a communal area he has a front and back garden surely he should be storing his bins in one of his gardens not mine?

Cherry 25/02/2020 at 8:39 am

Hi ,l live in a ground floor flat and the people who live above me smokes and drop their cigarettes butts onto my balcony I have spoken to them ,complained to the housing officer but nothing has been done to resolve this issue they even drop masonry and chewing gum does anyone have a suggestion on who I can speak to.

sonudyer 17/02/2020 at 10:15 pm

I live in a flat on a main road and my neighbour has placed a large general waste bin a few feet away from my front door. He disposes polystyrene containers of fresh fish which causes horrible fish odour at the entrance and outside of my flat and a lot of littering around the bin by general public as the bin is locked and not accessible by all.

Richard 25/01/2020 at 12:49 am

Hi my neighbour to the rear of my property has taken upon themselves to prune a tree that is on my property whilst I have not a issue with them pruning the parts overhanging the fence line they have cut large branches of the tree at the trunk 1.3 meter inside my property and in doing so have come onto my property to do so They have damaged the tree to the point that all the weight of the tree is on one side rendering the tree very possibly unstable They at no time discussed with me their intentions or obtained permission to enter the property to do so This work was also carried out during the day when they knew I would not be home and alerted by the noise of the chain saw Can you advise me on what course of action I have

Hope 04/01/2020 at 3:39 pm

I'm dealing with two of my neighbors billing me and my husband and my mom and sister and saying that I want this woman's husband and I'm a happily married woman to my husband almost 17 years the 31 of January and then keeping us arguing and stuff we stay to ourselves but it gets told to are other neighbors to so I'm just over it all

Distressed 09/12/2019 at 3:00 pm

My neighbour plays insanely loud music from around 11am until around 6 PM. When I say loud I mean club level loud and I spend my days at home wearing headphones but they drown out very little. This has been going on for 6 months daily and I've been in regular contact with my local council (enfield). I've logged three weeks worth as requested and 2 letters have now been sent to them but they've replied saying they dont make a sound. Theres no environmental officer who comes out unless its 11pm til 7am on the weekends so I've been told that's the end of it and I along with all my neighbours must suffer.
What's my next step is any?
Thank you

22 07/07/2019 at 10:34 pm

Hi we buy property 1 yr ago our neighbour is old asian lady she refuse put fancing on in her garden n close boundry but we want to close our boundry we dont want her interferance in our area at all .so finaly i m making my garden fancing by myselfe and m closing my area but still she is having issue plz dont close ur area n all we dont want her interfearence in any thing she said yes now she is creating problem in everything what to do ...

Cheri 07/05/2019 at 12:26 pm

My neighbour is responsible for fence. Never had problem with them. This weekend they have put late in blocking gaps which isn't a problem however the nails they have used have gone through fence on my side in quite few places where they have missed fence supports and are sticking out by at least inch. I have dogs. I am within my rights to hammer them back through

Emzi 07/04/2019 at 8:47 pm

A few weeks ago a woman knocked on my door saying she was the owner of house next to me the back deviding fence has been in a state years I've maintained its repairs. Anyway said was going to place new wooden slots in the stone frame work fine, until asked me if could come into my garden an remove my ivy climbing an bush I replied no, she said here's my number think about it, I said no again an stay out of my garden, yet. Has complete ignored me, removed all the climbing ivy an pushed my ivy tree forward cutting plenty away. damaged my tree border fencing I will need to buy a new piece and bamboo support canes. Texted me back saying contact your landlord how rude an the texts just got more absurd. What do I do now?

Rebecca 27/01/2019 at 3:41 am

Please Could I Receive Advice Over a Year Neighbours Above Have Made My Life Hell Screaming Loud Music Recently a Seeking of Possession Was Ordered The Male Visitor Child's Father Come to my Home he Smashed at My door Spat and Threatened an attack on me A Injunction was Ordered He Must Stay away The Housing Claimed he Can Stay because he's Claimed He's Homeless The seeking possession Stands against the woman who's a Tenant not the Male I am Vunrble and Frightened to be Alone What could be my Next Step Landlord Agrees previous Tenant had the same an he knew of the problem although I Questioned anti Social Behaviour before signing an Agreement

Gina 12/01/2019 at 1:46 am

I’m having problem with noise of my neighbours. They came home every day at 10 pm and the noise are banging the doors, cooking , banging the doors again ; going outside to smoke keep conversation on the or both forum 10pm to 1 am. I have to wake up at 5am. I complained to oUr land lord as it happen to be at the same building . She said I have to leave and find another place. I talked to the couple and they don’t change . I don’t know what to do. I am constantly tired everyday.

boo boo 09/01/2019 at 2:17 pm

Sharred entance to garden neighbour underneath me has refused access for for the last year, now put a alarm on communual door acess to warn her of my entry

Linda 02/11/2018 at 2:49 pm

I have a boundary fence which I paid half of £350 8 years ago this summer I put up a new fence in front of the existing one as the old fence was a bit shabby looking. Because we had both paid for the old fence I respectfully left it in place .This morning my neighbour has removed the old fence without consulting me which means my new fence is now acting as the partition what rights do I have should I have had a say on whether this fence could be removed

Lou 12/10/2018 at 5:42 pm

My next door neighbour smokes sitting on her front step an throws her cigarette ends still burning in to her front garden beside my living room window and my house stinks of smoke.... now noo e in my house smokes so why should i smell her 2nd hand smoke !!

Twinks 11/10/2018 at 1:41 pm

Hi, neighbour after 3years of hell she has now been convicted of harassment. My question is has anyone ever had chemicals being sprayed on plants, gates fencing and/or spraying paint stripper through windows, I know this sounds crazy but I am convinced crazy neighbour has now sprayed something through my window, killing a plant and now I noticing damage to property internally, paintwork and any metal surface has now rusted?
If I brought my concerns to my council I am certain they would in fact believe I was imagining it.
This neighbour is well known for causing all neighbours misery throughout her life, , I know this all sounds mad but I have come to this conclusion as it is the only logical explanation as to damage.

Any advice or information would be very gratefully received.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 03/08/2018 at 10:35 am

Talk to your local community policing team, they'll be able to go and take a look at what's going on and if necessary use their antisocial behaviour legislative powers.

Pish 31/07/2018 at 7:50 pm

Hi
I live in what was a fairly peaceful neighbourhood, that has now changed thanks to a group of older teens , who now arrive at back of our property most eve/ nights in their cars . Revving the engines , doing all sorts of car repairs inc paint spraying . This is in a small communeral car park which already full of neighbors cars , so they block the legitimate cars . It’s driving us all crazy , non of them even live on estate . Please what can we do , as we don’t want to approach them for fear of reprisals.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 23/07/2018 at 11:17 am

Planning permission is usually required to run a business from home, especially if it involves clients visiting the premises. If your neighbour has ignored your complaints, solicitor's letter might help. You could pursue it further if that did not resolve things.

Bobby 19/07/2018 at 3:23 pm

We have a sheard drive next door have a buetie business all the clients are forever blocking our driveway have talked to my neighbor many times but with no joy.
What can I do it is so upsetting
Have I a case to take to court.
Will my neighbor need planning permission to run a business from there home.
Help.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 23/05/2018 at 12:09 pm

Unfortunately there isn't much you can do about this other than suing for damages. The police may be interested because of the combination of tree damage and the intent to damage or injure property/people with the white liquid etc. Contact your local community policing team.

Ceri 21/05/2018 at 1:30 pm

Hi, my neighbour has cut down part of my tree, this is no way on their side. They have reached over the fence while I was out and cut it down! While I was also out they have thrown a white liquid all over the trees, and kids play equipment which is now killing the the rest of my trees. When asked about it they just said that they were spraying green flies... my 10 years trees are now dying! They are not the friendliest of people!

JSTA 15/03/2018 at 4:31 pm

2 in a block houses both with sideways next to our door for the bins my downstairs neighbours have decorated they're sideway bit so they use the sideway I thought my bins were meant to go but they've mine on the grass at the back of the pathway. Where really should the bins be placed cause I don't think its fair that everytime I put my bins out I have to walk on muddy grass but she get to stand in her doorway to put rubbish in the bin where should the bins be placed

JSTA 15/03/2018 at 4:19 pm

I was wondering I live upstairs in a council house (2 in a block) my downstairs neighbours have bought they're house we both have sideways next to our doors but she's decorated her sideway bit so her bins are in between her door and mine and my bins are put on the side grass in our pathway should I not get to put my bins next to my door its not my fault she's decorated it but that shouldn't mean I get my bins put on the muddy grass and she puts her bins between our doors. Does it? I have tried putting them there but she'll move them and put hers back. Can she put her bins there or is that where my bins should be placed?

Nico 27/12/2017 at 11:57 am

I own a field and before my neighbour moved in I built a legal fence with planning permission to an appropriate height. He took offence to this and report it to the local planning officer who duly came came and checked the fence to see that it met with planning (which it did). The neighbour then decided to construct tanks to hold water which he pumps under the fence at night. These he eventually covered with rocks. He used to pump around 1500 gallons of water each night which I had to pump away from the field the following day. When this was reported to the water company and to the police he said that it was surface water. There has never been any surface water accumulating here before. In any case although his garden is on a slope is it sandy soil and so the water would not pass over it. We have seen him tinkering with the fence and we suspect that pipes have been laid over plastic up to it.

As this appears to have had no effect on the fence, he has increased the number of tanks and is now pumping around 3000 gallons of water a day and it is taking approx 3 hours to pump it away. The police don't want to know, they say it is a civil offence. The water company don't want to know (I think they are frightened of being sued). He is not on a meter. Please can you help! Any help would most gratefully received.

Shereen 18/04/2017 at 9:18 pm

I live in an end terrace and my next door neighbour has right of way down the side and around the back of my garden. This is currently fenced off to give our garden privacy. The deeds say it is a right of way but she is adamant she owns the land and can do with it as she sees fit. She has been dumping rubbish at the back of the garden (on the right of way land). We have now removed the fence enabling us to have a bigger garden but also not restricting her access. She has verbally abused us and has now written to us giving us 21 days to put the fence back up before she seeks legal action. It's right of way, is a fence needed?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 08/02/2017 at 11:36 am

Is there a local organisation that could help you with your garden? Ask your local council or CVS if there are any Helping Hands type groups which could help with the initial clearance and perhaps create a low maintenance garden for you.

Zozo 07/02/2017 at 12:53 am

My neighbours always complaining about my garden which has been overgrown well before my son and I moved in 2003 and I have been warned by my neurologist not to operate any machinery or go somewhere unsafe as I have epilepsy also I have a severe autistic son neighbours are complaining one thing after the other which is causing. A lot of stress for both my son and myself I I have had a few partial seizures due to stress overload council and pics have not been supportive at all and o always end up with warnings these neighbours are still continuing to harrass us every day

MissG 22/01/2017 at 1:16 pm

Hi.
I live in a semi. Last summer the neighbours caught fire and the insurance have gutted the house including the roof.

Right now, it's super cold and my heating bill's hitting the roof! Literally! Not too fussed about the banging but the heating costs? It's killing me.

Who can you advise if speak to?

Norby 21/01/2017 at 8:11 pm

So what happens and where do I go when my local council covered up all the evidence of fire doors noise from an HMO property, in favour of their HMO landlord; and, where the Local Government Ombudsman supported them too with a biased investigation of the council? Even my MP and Councillor couldn't do anything, or they just weren't interested! This has been going on for 14 months now and there is no end in site. And the whole unfortunate situations have hospitalised me with anxiety, stress, high blood pressure and a mild stroke.

Nelly 14/09/2016 at 9:34 am

Hi, we are living next door to bq fanatic, we don't even enjoy summer any more as hell start his fire and odd times of the day sometimes lunch and dinner times , we end up going out as we can't sit under awful amount of smoke, we can't put the washing out. We had lots of chats over the years but no good. He's a stay home dad , he's at it all day every day.

shaj 07/09/2016 at 8:08 pm

We had many conversations with our neighbor about moving our fence up. They paid for the original fence and we offered to pay them our share. They never told us we couldn't move the fence and and specifically said we didn't have to pay for half. Now they want us to move it back because we didn't put it in writing and said we only mentioned it in passing.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 05/08/2016 at 12:15 pm

Do your deeds mention who is repsonsible for the hedge (if anyone)? Is there a supposed to a fence to define the boundary? Was your neighbour the one who planted it? In theory you are entitled to cut back any growth as far as your boundary, you could do reasonably do this, if that's what your neighbour has done.

K 04/08/2016 at 12:15 am

We have a shared driveway with our neighbours, which part way down is separated by a large hedge. We would love to remove the hedge completely, like other properties have done to allow more room to park however our neighbour has point blank refused this request. The roots of the hedge are similar to the boundary line shown on the deeds but the neighbour has cut his side of the hedge so far back that the roots are visible on his side yet we have 2ft of hedge growing on ours. The hedge is completely on our side the property currently if we cut the hedge back as far as possible to allow us to put up a fence then it will fall down or die. As they want the hedge we have offered to allow them time to grow the hedge out on their side so that it will be thick enough to support the hedge when we cut it back to put a fence up, the delightful gentlemen then took my head off and started shouting at me in the street, he ended the conversation with "get your solicitor to send me a letter" slamming the door. They want the hedge but they do not want it on their land, we don't want the hedge yet are stuck with a 2ft wide 7ft high hedge taking over our drive as the neighbour demands we keep it. Can you please advise as to where we stand?

Dil 25/07/2016 at 4:39 pm

I recently bought a flat and from my neighbour upstairs water pouring into my flat, so I mentioned about that but they refused to do any fixing. Please help me what shall I do about it.

Lynne 25/07/2016 at 12:09 pm

My neighbours in the basement flat have just finished a huge renovation which included replacing their conservatory which is just below (1 meter) my bedroom window. They have now put bright lights and a strip of spotlights running across the conservatory which is now a kitchen. It lights my bedroom up even with my thick curtains closed. They have also put in a fan below for their shower room , this hums when on and although not loud is really annoying. Who can i go to for help with these 2 items? thank you

Elaine 20/07/2016 at 8:19 pm

We have 2 neighbours who are damaging our property all the time and for no reason at all and they want us to sell so they can sell stolen goods to other people and drugs and nothing is done about this at all. Nobody seems to care either. It is also because we have no man here any more as my Dad died 20 years ago. We have over $400,000.00 damage done and this is still ongoing and just want them to leave us alone and let us live our life and enjoy it. The one behind us erected a stolen old fence and put it on our property with weeds too and we want our property back as we are paying taxes all these years on it. I wish somebody could come down here to take pictures and see all the damage done and these neighbours just laugh. They do this damage when we are sleeping. He also climbs up our aerial and damages the shingles on our roof, damaged the garage door, cut out berry bushes, sprayed them with chemicals, pulled out cylinder last year on new dead lock to break in, damaged down pipes, ripped out screen door design in it, throws garbage on our lawn and this is non stop. I have done everything possible to get help and apparently nobody seems to care and just passes the buck around. What is becoming of Toronto? Waiting for a reply!!!!

ProblemNeighbours Editor 18/07/2016 at 10:28 am

Are your flats rented? Do you have a landlord? They should be able to sort it out. Have you spoken to the neighbours whose property can access it? These are all things to try before environmental health.

Annie 16/07/2016 at 1:11 am

Hi there
Our neighbour (a small block of flats) have a dish on the top of the flats which I believe is a communal dish but extremely old (7years possibly)
It's been squeaking for years from what I've heard from an elderly couple
But I can't stand it any more
It makes a right racket all day long every day and eveyone I speak to hates it.
What can I do to get this sorted?
Any advice would be greatful

ProblemNeighbours Editor 05/07/2016 at 10:31 am

Have a word with your environmental health officer...they can sometimes order owners/builders not to do noisy building work at weekends. Have you tried talking to the builders? It's fairly common to arrive and set up from 7.30am but they might be willing to make more effort to be quiet until 8 am when everyone is usually up and out to work etc.

Mel 04/07/2016 at 8:56 am

Next door but one is having 6 months of extensive building work done which they didn't tell us about. You can't park your car near your house as the road is now filled with works vans. They arrive around 7/7:30am shouting at each other, banging car doors and generally being loud setting up before the real noise starts at 8am. It is like nothing short of living on a construction site as they make so much noise even right outside mine as that is where they park their vehicles. It's a lot of work on the roof which overlooks my garden so we are unable to enjoy any time in the summer using our own garden. Is there any way we can sue for the constant disruption and the fact we can no longer enjoy our properties. In addition I work nights every other week and am getting to the point where I am going to be forced to pay for a hotel on these occasions so I can actually get some sleep. We have tried discussing with the neighbour who has moved out during this however he threatened to make our lives hell when he moves back if he complains. Although he has already done this.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 29/06/2016 at 2:40 pm

Try your home insurance first of all. If that doesn't help, then you will need consider taking legal action to recover costs from the builder.

KFAR95 28/06/2016 at 3:35 pm

My neighbour had some work done on his side of the wall between our two yards. On my side I now have damaged & protruding bricks, render missing. The builder has left the wall of breeze block on their side higher than the brick side of mine (one full course of bricks is now missing), left bricks on the roof of my outhouse and a metal "stay" under the roof of my our building. He had asked if he could remove the roof & I said no.

What do I do now. The neighbour simply says he can't get hold of the builder.

I am left with damage to my property, a lower wall and the stay now in my yard under the outbuilding roof.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 15/06/2016 at 10:17 am

It's worth have a word with the landlord. Offering to pay a contribution towards it will certainly act as a good incentive as it will help to make the flat more "let-able" in the future. Building regs apply to new flats and certain flats created as result of change of use of a building which do actually require landlords to take steps to reduce sound to flooring. See this document for more information

Stomped 13/06/2016 at 12:06 pm

We live in a ground floor flat and the flat above (1st floor) us have a laminated flooring. The flat above us is rented and currently there are tenants. The amount of stomping they do because of small kids in the house, it's not possible to sleep or to concentrate on the work you do.

Is there any way I can persuade the landlord of the 1st floor flat to carry out an acoustics work to make the impact noise soundproof? I can share half the cost whatever he/she incurs in making floor soundproof. At present there is no quality of life. Over the weekend, we find excuse to go out and spend most of time outside rather staying indoors as the noise will terrorise us.

Thanks in advance.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 08/06/2016 at 9:49 am

There is no legal obligation for your neighbours to pay for this unless it was stipulated as part of the planning conditions. Did you raise it at the time? If they agreed £30 to have it raised, it's unlikely you'll get more off them to have it completely moved. Do you have evidence that the signal will be lost completely?

Luce 06/06/2016 at 1:06 pm

I have new neighbours who have knocked down their bungalow and are building a 8 bedroom, 7 bathroom home next to me. They have reached half way and now we are going to loose the signal to our satalite dish. They said they would pay for it to be moved and were advised it would be £30 to just move the dish up, unfortunately the house is so big that the dish has to be moved to the otherside of my house which is going to cost £100. They have now said they are not going to pay a £100 and have carried on building the house up. They have literally put 2 fingers up at us. My husband is fuming, we were quite happy until they started building. Please can you advise us what is ther best action to take before it turns nasty.

Catlady 22/05/2016 at 5:51 pm

My husband works long hours I'm now retired....I have sometimes put music on when I do house work at least once every couple of months for about 2/3 hrs sometimes loud ...never before 9am or after 3pm...I put some on at 1.30pm within 10mins my direct neighbour was banging on my front door so hard I thought he was going to break the lock ....I'm 5ft 4ins and 63yrs of age ...he is a good 6ft and very intimidating ...we haven't got a garden so no bbq's or noisy parties my husband bought a garden bin burner for the man who lives behind us as he always has a large bonfire burning whether is at a weekend or evening....today Sunday for the first time my husband used the burner to clear rubbish from our shed .....our direct neighbour started yelling at my husband for burning rubbish early this morning .....they both had words ...within 40 mins the fire was put out as the job was done ....this afternoon papers where shoved through our door about social behaviour .....we never complain to them if their dog barks or any noise they make through building work which is often after 7 pm....but we feel that we cannot move in our home with out them having ago .....I have asked my other neighbours if they hear us and they have told us no .....what can you advise I do as I love where I live and and shouldn't have to worry every time we do something ....thankyou ..

molly 13/05/2016 at 1:00 pm

Next door's garden slopes towards ours at an angle. This means that whenever the tenant next door gets out her paddling pool and tips it over to empty it, most of the water ends up in one of our beds. We've told her several times not to just tip it out but use a bucket, hose or buy a pump but she's not made any effort to do any of these. If she moved it further down the garden it wouldn't affect us but she won't do that either.
We don't want to fall out with her but am getting fed up of constantly having to check where she's putting the pool and telling her to shift it.
Any advice?

Rebecca 11/05/2016 at 1:22 pm

The fence between myself and a neighbour blew down. Next door (he's a landlord) offered to replace the fence himself, free labour, if we split materials. The work is now complete. He's given me a price, I've said fine but that I need to see a receipt. He responded very angrily to this and even threatened to take the fence back down. Is it wrong to want a receipt before handing money over?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 03/05/2016 at 11:00 am

Give your neighbours a written report of what work has been undertaken and highlight the extra details etc - your builder should be able to assisit with this. Tell the neighbours that you are happy for them to get a surveyor to check the work out if they are concerned.

C 30/04/2016 at 8:49 am

I've had some new rendering to replace stone cladding, and my neighbour is constantly harassing me over the integrity of the join between terrace. They say that we will both get damp because of rubbish work. The rendering has been done as I expected and the builder's put an extra seal down hedge that they said was not required. What do I do?

Upset 19/04/2016 at 2:44 am

We have neighbours from hell and trying to force us to more out of our own house because they want to sell stolen articles and drugs without any disturbance. They have sprayed all of our bushes already and climbed on our roof several times and it was damaged, broke downpipe, using charges stolen from construction site and blew up our flagstones on our patio, broke sensor light twice, stole screen décor, ripped cylinder out of our door when we were at the Drs. No help from the Police at all, they are helping the criminals and taking bribes from them. We cannot afford a lawyer and have never been in trouble with the law and just because there is no man here any more, they think they can do as they please and they are. We want this to stop immediately. Ongoing for over 4 years already.

New Town 15/04/2016 at 8:51 pm

I own the basement of a Category B listed property in the west end of Edinburgh. The rest of the property is owned by one individual. The exterior sandstone stonework above me has weaathered / deriorated to the point where there is a danger of pieces of masonry falling down as well as being increasingly unsightly. Despite many attempts to engage the owner of the rest of the property on the matter by e-mail, test, voice mail he refuses to engage with me and is rarely present. Last week I commissioned a survey for my account entirely including the hire of a cherry picker and informed the other owner of the date and the fact the job was for my account. On the day in question he appeared and made quite a scene insisting that the work could not proceed as he had not agreed. I was not present and the surveyor plus cherry picker driver left. I have been invoiced for the contracted half day charge for the cherry picker and am still without the detailed survey.
The property deeds are clear in that we are jointly responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the building facade. One of the few replies I have received from the other owner is a text stating that he has no money (but owns this extensive three floor Edinburgh property). What is your advice on how to proceed?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 31/03/2016 at 12:28 pm

Have a word with your housing association. They may have some suggestions as to what you can do or how you can integrate with the community in other ways.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 29/03/2016 at 12:42 pm

No there is not much you can do about this unfortunately. There is nothing, however to prevent you from erecting your own fence on your side of the bounday.

witty 26/03/2016 at 11:13 pm

We have a 70ft rear garden and in the right it has panelled fence to our neighbour on the right. However on the left our garden has 7 neighbours and is a hedge. The last 2 neighbours one has cut the hedge so thin to make the most of the garden you can see straight through the hedge causing safety and privacy issues with us having 2 young children. The other neighbour is using the bottom of his garden as a dumping ground with rubble brick and glass coming into our garden under the hedgerow. Every time we clear it more appears. Can anything be done about either of them. It would be nice to have wooden fence panels put in but the boundary on that side isnt ours and to having 7 neighbours agree to put in the same kind of fence seems unlikely

Ann 14/03/2016 at 7:59 pm

Sorry just to add my guttering and his have never been joined as we are connected only by a flat roofed garage no other rooms. Thanks.

Ann 14/03/2016 at 7:54 pm

Thanks for replying. Not sure how to comtinue the thread....the downpipe has never been shared. It is sorely connected (or was) to my roof gutter and made a direct connection to the gully entrance. However this gully is on the neighbours drive but tucked in so looking at it it is directly under my eaves....not sure if this gives him any rights over my actual downpipe though. This I know could be considered a grey area however this is how the houses were built and the ownership and responsibilty for maintaining that downpipe is mine. We all own downpipes left and right of our houses so my neighbour did have access to his own gully and downpipe however the length of his own drive would have made this option more expensive for him to do. Minor petty point he has kept the missing half of my downpipe !! Trying to figure out all my options as am on my own and need to be sensible about how to pursue this.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 14/03/2016 at 2:24 pm

Is this a shared down pipe or did it not meet the guttering from your neighbour's house at all prior to this work? Sorry it's not clear from your question.

Bella 13/03/2016 at 9:12 am

Hi we have just moved in to are house and I washed my car next to my house and the neighbour has a car port/garage with is made from the fence panel and at the bottom has kick boardes and my water ran into it as there are gaps in between the kick boards and my neighbour who is about 86 got a ladder and stood on top of his car port and started saying about the water so I said where about so we could solve the problem as when it rains it must get in but he start shorting at me and say if was a stupid place to wash my car

Ann 11/03/2016 at 1:54 pm

My neighbour has without advising me or obtaining my consent taken my downpipe off my link detached house, cut it in half and left it to drain onto the top of his new carport that he has built while I was at work. This downpipe belongs to me and has been in situ for 40 years. Could this be considered criminal damage ? He has rigged up some sort of drainage system via his carport in effect taking over my water gulley and relying on his carport to take all my rainwater. Their are long term issues with water damage to my house to consider.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 07/03/2016 at 11:28 am

We would say your neighbours are correct. Unless you agree otherwise, when you have trees removed, the tree fellers usually take away all the wood and wood chippings and dispose of it as they wish (often giving the chippings away for free - we struggle to understand where your figure of £700 has come from). Did you ask to keep the wood chippings? If so then the workmen have breached their contract with you by not leaving them for you, so your action is against them. If not, then there's nothing you can do about it.

scrounging neighbour 04/03/2016 at 8:24 am

We had trees felled over 4 x separate working days. 2 of these while we were absent from our premises our neighbours asked the workmen for wood chippings . The workmen agreed ,the neighbours took approx retail value of £700.Because of previous issues with these neighbours our permission would not have been given, I have approached the neighbours asking if they are intending to pay or to return the chippings they have refused and confirmed no payment was given to the workmen. They are of the opinion that the chippings were on the van and there verbal contract was with the workmen.What is my legal position would it be in order to report as stolen

Futch 03/03/2016 at 11:53 am

I have just had a new kitchen fitted, a lot of the units were stored in the garage so the fitter collected each piece as required, on the day in question it was very windy, the fitter never once closed the garage door after collecting each piece for fitting, a gust of wing caught the up and over garage door and badly damaged it causing hundreds and hundreds of pounds worth of damage, I have asked them for compensation, they refuse saying it was an act of god I say it was negligence and they should pay, are they right or am I right.
Many thanks

ProblemNeighbours Editor 29/02/2016 at 12:12 pm

If the neighbour is refusing to do anything about this, you may, as you suggest have to resort to legal action. First, it might be worth calling you water company for advice, as they have an interest in matters to do with rainwater/drainage especially if you are in a flood prone area. You might also want to try contacting your insurance company for advice on this.

Stevie 26/02/2016 at 12:21 pm

My husband and I own a tenanted property, the neighbours have installed a new tarmac drive which looks really good but unfortunately they are in an elevated position and the contractors have made a slight run off which is now coming through the dividing wall and pooling on our drive causing fungus to grow on the wall and water running into our garage. They have had a waterway put outside their garage but this does not run into a grid and also runs onto our property. My husband has tried to talk to the neighbour but was met with "prove it" and the door slammed in his face. I have written a letter to them smothering them with kindness asking to resolve this situation but also being firm in the fact that we will pursue this matter to protect our property. Anyone had a similar experience

max 07/01/2016 at 1:35 am

Neighbour thinks there's drugs been used on the premises etc

di 03/01/2016 at 2:05 pm

Neighbour had large swimming pool installed in her garden. The fence we had replaced she said that her father could replace it and she would pay some towards it. We had the stumps on our side and she said she cannot not pay for it as her husband is out of work. Husband is in work for the past two years and has expected we have not been paid anything towards fence. The fence is put up so the good side is facing her. My husband did not want to stay in when he was being erected. The problem is her swimming pool was leaking onto our drive quite badly a few months ago. My husband and I did not go to her house as we are having problem with her family. She is trying to get us to leave. When my bin was emptied and I wasnt it (it was numbered). She put it on her drive faced so the cars on her drive would not be damaged if I moved it - which I did mpve it. Grapes have been thrown over the fence by the garage. I dont know who to contact if pool is emplied onto our drive again or if it floods. An apple was thrown at our garage and it is slightly dented I saw discarded eaten apple on our drive. I didnt tell my husband straight away because I was worried incase he has another stroke. We have lived in this bungalow for 6 years. She was friendly at first but since swimming pool installed things changed.

Arthur 30/12/2015 at 3:55 pm

Please,any advice? We live in a terrace row,with a large alley way next door which we have 24 hr access over. It belongs to a plumbers at the bottom of the alley where their business is run from. They house all the customers toilets baths fires, you name it, all just thrown. They leave a path down as not only them but we & their customers need to walk down to gain access. To the path frontage their very large very heavy doors are actually hung onto our house. They slam it open onto our house wall and constantly damage the brick behind it. They slam it so hard shut it shakes our house. Yesterday we have seen a very large masonry block which forms the corner of our house had been broken just near the hinge on the door. We have asked, wrote letters to them over the yrs regarding their broken metal guttering pouring water onto our property, their boarded up & broken glass windows but they just laugh at us. Does anyone know if we are allowed by law to have their doors taken off our property wall when it's causing damage to our own property with them being hung there. Thank you. We've asked cab, various solicitors but no one seems to be able to point us in the right direction.

Soggy walls 19/12/2015 at 8:27 am

Hi , when it rains the water seeps into my room and soaks the wall and corner of the ceiling . My builder came out as we thought it was some repointing that needed done , but on inspection he discovered that the silicone around my neighbours window above my property has worn away and left gaps between their window and the brickwork allowing the rainwater to run down inside my property . the builder attempted to silicone the window to make it watertight but was told by my neighbor to leave his property alone , even though he explained that it was causing internal damage to my home . This small job would have taken a few minutes at no inconvenience or cost to himself . Even though he is now aware of the damage he is causing his silicone still hasn't been repaired. He refuses to talk to me and I've been told legal action is the only thing I can do , which I can't afford . Would this be classed as wilful damage and could I get the police involved .Both our properties are privately owned .

ProblemNeighbours Editor 02/12/2015 at 10:49 am

There is no responsibility on a land owner to provide a fence around his land unless to keep livestock in etc. If the fence is definitely dangerous, then as long as you have made the landlord aware of this, if any damage is caused, you should be able to make a successful insurance claim or a civil claim for costs. It is your responsibility to ensure your dog cannot escape, so you might want to consider constructing your own fence on your side of the boundary (this might also prevent any of the damage your suspect might occur due to the state of the neighbouring fence).

Ej 30/11/2015 at 6:45 pm

Hi,
Our neighbours are renting the house next door to us. The fence in the back garden (which is their responsibility) has been blown down with the wind and is broken and quite dangerous. The land lord (the owner of the property) is refusing to fix it at all. I have a dog and I am worried he will get into their garden and possibly escape. Is there anyway I can get him to fix it?

Robbie 18/11/2015 at 7:47 pm

My neighbour says the fence between us (his left, my right) is my responsibility because the estate agent responsible for selling him his house filled in the forms telling him this without consulting the seller, who was very old and couldn't fill in the forms by himself.
Several neighbours confirm that on our street the fence on the house's left are the responsibility of that house. To complicate matters, I installed the disputed fence because the ex neighbour couldn't afford it. His family have written to me confirming what I did and that the fence isn't actually my responsibility.
Now the fence has come down in the high winds and I want to get the new owner to at least get rid of the pieces as they're damaging my garden. What's my next step as he is refusing to even discuss it? Thanks

ProblemNeighbours Editor 11/11/2015 at 10:48 am

If the shelves are chained to your property it's trespass and you can report it to the police as such. Firstly give the neighbours a letter asking them to remove the display within 24 hours etc. If they do not, then contact the police (on non-emergency 101) and ask them what your next course of action should be, they may be willing to speak with the neighbours and get the shelves unchained on your behalf.

CJ 10/11/2015 at 10:00 am

We are in the process of selling our flat, which is currently empty. The shop next door has chained a display shelving unit to our front railings, covered with a tatty tarpaulin, and refuses to remove them. It has probably been there about a week.I have e-mailed the council, with photographs, as 1) I doubt he has a licence, and 2) he doesn't have our permission and 3) I don't want enforcement action taken against us. I don't think the mortgage company's surveyor will be too impressed...am I entitled to remove it, having discussed it with him, and informed the council?

sammiibubbles 22/10/2015 at 7:25 pm

I have an ongoing dispute with my neighbour where I am constantly being reported to the police and my social housing manager for things that I haven't done. She is constantly taking photos of my property and sending them to people. I have installed CCTV to cover my own back garden and the fence line to prevent any more accusations. I have up a sign declaring CCTV is in use. My neighbour now has a camera up at her bedroom window that is blatantly covering the whole of my back garden. I onmly use my garden when my neighbour is out to avoid her but now she is able to watch me via her mobile phone when she is out so I dont want to use my garden at all. I have a young child and we are both disabled and would enjoy the time we could have in our garden but now I don't want to venture outside at all and will not let my child out there being filmed. Please help

deacon 29/08/2015 at 6:30 pm

neighbour has dismantled shed and paving slabs leaning against two concrete fence posts. These are overhanging to my property, but are also beginning to damage posts. Have emailed requesting politely to remove, he has said he will in own time. Been in dispute for a number of years, hence emailing not speaking directly, I feel he is being deliberately obtrusive, can I do anything else?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 28/08/2015 at 11:45 am

Assuming you are in rented property, your landlord should be able to deal with this. Have you told your landlord about the problem?

numpty 27/08/2015 at 5:01 pm

another resident is storing bikes in the common close. They are chained together and are only a couple of feet from the main exit out of the common close back door which leads to the shared drying green, He has also put them against the washing poles which makes it very awkward for anyone to access them without having to move the bikes! Cleaning is therefore also an issue! This is the only access to our property's front door (it is a basement flat, with it's main entrance situated outside facing onto the drying green), We have no option but to come passed these bikes with shopping bags, luggage etc (it is a holiday flat used regularly by various members of the family). It is a common area and therefore these bikes should not be stored there. The resident concerned stays upstairs in the top flat (2 up) and has been asked by the Factor 3 times to move the bikes but he refuses - what can we do

ProblemNeighbours Editor 20/08/2015 at 11:04 am

Really there's not much you can do about this. Most councils advise people not to feed pigeons for a variety of reasons including the fact that they are capable of finding their own food. Feeding them also attracts pigeons to areas that are not natural to them and exposes them to injury. It can also results in all year breeding that causes overcrowding. Food left down for pigeons can also attract foxes and rats. You are within your rights to continue with any "safe" deterrents.

sez 19/08/2015 at 11:05 am

neighbour has put up a bird feeder in their front garden which attracts large amounts of pigeons which are now roosting on our tv aerial and front of house. we are now subjected to large amount of their droppings on our new driveway, cars and front windows. This is very unpleasant and has to be cleaned every day. we bought a scarer with a flashing light which was ineffective but due to their aggressive attitude in telling us to remove it we have left it! since then we have received verbal abuse and a false accusation of them having footage of me putting bleach on the drive which went onto their property, which is complete rubbish as I have never used bleach only water! the council say it's not a statutory nuisance so any suggestions? thanks

law 07/08/2015 at 6:40 pm

Hi having problems with neighbour about boundary fence, the fence that was there before was damaged by wind and my dog was escaping through fence in to neighbours garden then he was disappearing. We said to neighbour that we would have to buy a new fence he told me that he had no money for one so we bought it, anyway I came home the other day and he was nailing bed slats to his side of the fence to fill in the gaps. Is there anything I can do about this?

Fm 01/08/2015 at 11:36 pm

My neighbour comes when I am away. The other day I came back home as soon I parked my car on my driveway saw my neighbour coming out of my back garden just Infront of me holding my sons football in his hand with a embarrassing smile on his face and said sorry if was dark I thought it's my sons football. I was in a shock to see him in the dark coming out of my house took me few minutes to get back to normal it was creepy and scary to be honest. my back fence is broken for 3-4 years I've checked my title deeds it says nothing who's responsible to repair it so tried to speak to them couple of times but nothing happened. they don't answer the door not answer any of the notes I've posted so I gave up. It makes me worried now their puppy comes into my garden and cleaning the poo for me is not something I am comfortable with, I got twins gals age 7 who play in the garden I want my garden to be clean. I am confused not sure what to do.

Cubby 22/07/2015 at 8:01 am

Our neighbour has a massive leak in their garden and water has now started to pool in our garden too. I'm worried this will start to come into the house.
The local water company came out yesterday and issued a 30 day document insisting the leak be repaired in this time. However, after they left the neighbour told me they have no money and no way to get the leak fixed so they won't be doing so.
I'm scared the water leak will hit my building. What should I do ? Currently I have more and more water coming into my garden - it'll be like a swimming pool soon!

Kitty 08/06/2015 at 9:11 am

Hi
A family with 4 chilren, (3 3year olds) moved in to the house where the bottom og their garden backs on to the side of our place (right beside our kitchen window & back door)
The put up a large trampoline which the chilren use lots, (great :)) however they have a long garden but still placed it right by our kitchen/patio. 3 sall girls squeeling and bouncinh up and down 6 hours a day become annoying. I wrote a polite note suggesting that moving it up the garden a little would help us a gret deal. After a minor confrontation theyn did just that. Things were fine. Now they have brought it back outside our kitchen again, we left it a short while thinking maybe they had mowed the lawn and not moved it back yet. Eventually when we couldn't ignor it any longer I tried to speak to them, no answer so I put another polit note just reminding them how much difference it made to us last summer in them moving the trampoline up the garden.
No response, then over the weekend the neighbour threw something at our kitchen window to get my attention, her husband proceeded to shout at me to fetch my partner put - argueing that he had swarn at the chilren (not true- however one of their chilren was handing over our fence when my partner called out to me in the garden).
Its seems that on moving their trampoline one child fell off as the groung was uneven and had to have hospital treatment, so they moved it back. There is no sfety net around it, they are always unsupervised and often 3 or 4 of them on it at once. Why is it our responsibility, surely they have a duty to make it safe. Kids bobbing up and down all summer over the fence, and often shouting out for attention when our door opens is irratating. Its not the chirens fault, we have had litle chilren, its the parents being inconsiderate, does any one agree?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 09/04/2015 at 11:47 am

@concerned. Take no notice of this and trust what the police told you rather than a 17 year old girl.

Concerned 07/04/2015 at 7:40 pm

I have a 5 yr old small dog that has been antagonised by the neighbours children for years, we ended up building a wall as they were throwing stones & china at her. Unfortunately my dog nipped one of the girls legs. She called the paramedics & was taken to hospital with the usual procedure of antibiotics. The father came round & spoke to my partner & as far as we were aware it was a mutual handshake, yes the dog did it, but he understood why. A week later the police came to my door saying it could be resolved with a written apology signed by me or it would go to court with the potential of my dog being put down. I signed it after having my rights read out & being told it could go against me in future employment. My daughter & I took the dog out 2 days later to a barrage if abuse from the 17 yr old girl involved & several if her friends. I told her we had nothing to say to her as we have said all we needed to to the police. She then proceeded to shout at me that she was going to make a phonecall & get £500 out of me. I just need to know where I stand. I do not want to get in a tit for tat scenario, but I do not want abuse every time I walk my dog either. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 08/04/2015 at 10:32 am

@lucky13. Are you tenants or owners? If you're tenants, the landlord should be responsible. If you are owners, it should say in your deeds who is responsible for the maintenance/upkeep.

Lucky13 05/04/2015 at 6:03 am

If a set of communal steps to two adjoining properties are actually on my side of the boundary who owns them? My neighbour has stated he is going to replace them but has not asked my opinion or permission. Where do I stand?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 07/04/2015 at 1:59 pm

@jasmine. Your respective insurance policies should be able to sort this out for you. Was the trampoline not fastened down?

Jasmine 02/04/2015 at 8:17 pm

During the windy weather my neighbours trampoline blew out of their garden and onto my car. It's dented the bonnet and scratched it. The neighbours are saying they won't pay for the repairs. What are my rights with this?

joe1990 12/03/2015 at 9:23 am

Hi,

all four flats in the block are owned. We have a factors company and this neighbour is hoping theyll do it via the building insurance, but he said in conversation if they say no thats when it comes down to the three way split of cost. Im sure the title deeds state that I am responsbile for repair of my own property but like I say I dont want the cost. Perfectly honest I think because the other 2 want it and I am centre if they go ahead it almost like I am getting a new roof without paying as the roofer wont be able to just bypass my roof as its centre

ProblemNeighbours Editor 06/03/2015 at 10:08 am

@joe1990. Are they rented or owned? Is there anything in the deeds that mentions repairs etc? If yours is fine you shouldn't really have to do anything but we don't know enough about your situation to give good advice.

joe1990 03/03/2015 at 1:11 pm

Hi,

I live in four in the block flat. 3 out of 4 of the flats come with a garage out back. I own the centre of three garages which are all in line with one another. My neighbour has complained his garage is leaking due to recent bad weather (he is far left) he has told me he's going to get a quote to repair the roof and that my other neighbour (far right) has said his needs repaired as well due to leaks. The best quote he can get is £2200.00 he now expects this to be divided three seperate ways as I am in the middle and the roofer would have to relay felt and tiles anyways for my garage - although I dont use my garage for anything and to be perfectly honest whilst it is isnt leaking I couldnt care less as theres nothing in it. Do I have a right to tell him a straight no? I cant afford over £700.00 for a agarge I dont use and could care less about?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 08/12/2014 at 10:30 am

@roofriot. Write a letter and suggest that you may take legal action if the repairs are not carried out by the builders. Your local Trading Standards office may be interested if they do no comply.

roof riot 05/12/2014 at 2:56 am

They took the scaffolding down, but only after the work had started., however three tiles were broken and the rendering under the tiles has been cracked. The scaffolder finally sent an email disputing two of the broken tiles and claiming my render is shot and that the cracks are not new.. They are directly under where the scaffolding was. My roof is only about 11 years old and was fine as far as I know, it's not in a spot where I would ever have looked. The render looks as if it was fine before this.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 21/10/2014 at 2:34 pm

@roof riot. Who put the scaffolding up? The builders or the neighbours? Either way, if there is damage to your property then they are liable if they have encroached on your property. They may rectify it and be totally agreeable, so try not to anticipate problems that might not arise.

roof riot 20/10/2014 at 11:41 am

I just discovered my neighbours had scaffolding put up at the back of their house in order remove render from their first floor. However, as their conservatory has a plastic roof the scaffolders put the entire weight of one end of the structure onto two planks and two poles sitting on my roof. They seem to have broken one tile in the process and I have no idea what has happened under the boards. The builders who just showed up to start the work agreed that it was not OK for me and have stopped work.. so now I have to speak to the neighbours and get them to take down this scaffolding and reassemble it by removing one of the panes of their own roof. I presume they had agreed the current set up with the scaffolders but didn't ask me. What's my next step if they don't agree?

TiredPerson 05/10/2014 at 10:18 am

I'm writing this after another sleepless night. My neighbour was throwing parties in the back garden 4-5 nights a week that often went on beyond 3am. She also has an autistic child (the child is usually in the house when she's getting drunk until 3am with her friends) and he has bad nights where he stays up screaming, howling, hooting and slamming things.
Obviously I have my sympathies. But we're talking all night, and he's not in the house he's outside so it's incredibly loud. She just lets him into the garden. Presumably with her conservatory the noise is considerably reduced for her indoors (I've looked out the window, the doors are shut and he's out in the garden alone).
As he gets older he gets louder and I spend more nights awake, turning up sleep sounds to try to block it out unsuccessfully. Ear plugs don't work. The noise is a piercing scream and because it's so high pitched it seems to be audible above everything I try.
Other neighbours have moaned to US about it! As if we can do anything. It's so loud that people surrounding us are staying up nights too. We've tried to bring it up diplomatically but it's clear that she has no sympathy for how it impacts us. She's not a nice person. I get the impression she's more about "anything for an easy life" because when his carer is there you barely hear him but as soon as she drives away he gets put out in the back garden like a neglected pet and left to hit things and scream for hours at a time.
What on earth can we do? There HAS to be a middle ground, a compromise. When his carer leaves he's out between 4 and 8 and the noise is constant, I can't read or anything for those hours, but I accept that because it's the day time and I don't want to stop a child from being himself in his own garden at reasonable times of the day. But when it's all night I can't cope, I have to sleep. I'm so tired and unwell that I've had to take a break from work. If I could afford it I would move but unfortunately I have nowhere to go.
It's already very cold so I thought I could breathe easy until June but she lit a wood burning stove in the garden last night for him before going back into the house and leaving him unattended as usual.
I'm just exhausted. I feel like I've been so polite to her, tried hard to understand, and I get nothing back. On the nights I could get a respite from him she gets drunk in the garden again with real thugs and I end up awake. The council have contacted her about the parties twice and they've definitely reduced in frequency.
I'm worried that things will just keep getting worse and worse until I really can't cope any more.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 23/09/2014 at 10:08 am

@mallady. Not really...if he has simply allowed you to use the garden, effectively rent-free, then he can claim it back whenever he likes.

malllady 20/09/2014 at 12:59 am

Since we purchased our home in 1999, we have been allowed to initiate and maintain a garden area approximately 24x24 on the adjacent lot. When our neighbor purchased the land - he agreed we could still have this section to produce veggies.

For the last 15 years we have diligently maintained with effort and funds to keep the area clean and tidy. This year with the heat and personal illness - it did get out of hand lately with weeds. The neighbor now says we can not use it any longer.

Do we have any rights for maintaining all these years and paying for good soil treatments etc? We have no where else to move this to on our land and the greenhouse is now just a pipe dream.

marley 14/04/2014 at 12:15 pm

Our neighbours built his extension, years ago on our wall this was done before we lived there! so when we built our extension we could not build on the joining wall and also we had to bring our wall in so lost certain amount of space. Our extension has been up for about 6years, but now our neighbour has said that he is getting damp due to our extension being built ? whilst we where at work he built and eye sore and joint in on to our property and will not take it down and will not allow anyone on to his property what can we do about this ???

Anita 02/09/2013 at 12:50 pm

I have a retired neighbour that is constantly doing DIY, although we have detached properties his garage is 3 feet from my front room and vibrates through the wall. This noise is constant throughout the year and he has a lot of spare time on his hands and DIY is his hobby. We have spoken with him but he doesn't seem to take any notice. I have spoken with the Council and they suggested to keep a diary but I am a little worried that if I take things further it may be difficult to sell our property should we be unable to put up with the noise. This nuisance is having very serious health issues for me.

Sue 09/08/2013 at 10:23 am

What can be done about a neighbour who eaves two wrecked cars on his drive.

ja 03/06/2013 at 10:19 pm

The boundry fence is my neighbors responsibility but the fence is dead wood and is held up by trees and shrubs on my side of the fence. The tree grew 15foot tall and was as tall of the house. I cut the tree down as there were bee hives everywhere and was getting out of control taking over half the garden. She confonted me but we ended up rowing, she told me she was sick of me and my builders. she the wrote me a letter threatening me that she has taken pictures of the fences and will tell the police that im causing criminal damage to her property. I was having work carried out to my property but she has now put in a complaint to building regulations to make it harder for me to complete the work. I am unable to go into the property because her dog constantly barks if there is anyone in the property. The property is empty i was planning on refurbishing and moving in but shes stopped that from happening.This woman is letting the property and has control over me yet i own my property, I really need advice!!!! P.s she said shes ex-police so theres nothing i can do about her because she knows people in the police and the council.

Fran 24/04/2013 at 8:28 am

Builders opposite are clearing ground and burning rubbish had to close windows on a beautiful sunny day as the smell was awful. I asked politely if they would put it out. They said they are allowed to burn during the day. How can that be right when you cant open your windows or put your washing out. I was always un the impression you can only have a bonfire after 6pm.
What are the rules.

bubbles 24/09/2012 at 4:34 pm

the people who occupy the house two doors down from me, has cleaned their back garden, but left all their toys and bins outside my gate, i have spoke to the council, but they wont do anything about it, its so annoying and attracting other kids, how do i resolve this issue?

mick 01/08/2012 at 5:49 pm

I live in a middle terrace house and my partner and I are thinking of putting in a log burning stove but we had a look at the chimney which we can see from outside is directly above the fireplace but there is a plastic funnel that we are told is suitable for a gas fire, except our house has never had gas, next door on the other hand has a gas inlet on that side of their house despite the trend of the other chimneys in the terrace to be on the other side. Ineresting note our fireplace is flanked by a reccessed stone staircase and an external wall. What can I do if they've attached their fire to my chimney?

digerd 18/07/2012 at 9:03 pm

As far as where fences or walls should be built on your boundary, it is quite clear if the original boundary concrete posts are still there - small ones with a hole in the middle for the boundary wire which was used in the 60s. Your fence or wall must be built on your side of the boundary post, not in the middle and definately not on your neighbours side as that would be on his property. This means that your neighbour behind your fence does gain about 2" of your land, but you gain on the other neighbours side the same - all is fair.

tony 14/07/2012 at 9:02 pm

One of the new neighbours who rents the house next door rides a push bike,our car was parked on the drive and was there all day and night and the next morning my partner found a scratch along the back door. I asked the tenant if he new anything about it, he said he couldnt remember doing it, then he said get a quote but dont get it done as I know somebody who does spraying. I got a quote and gave it to him which came out at £180. as a good deed I said I will get another quote which I got. it was a touch up job which would cost £25 so I told the car repairer to do it. the next day I told the tenant what had happenned and that looked ok but I wasnt happy and that he owed me £25, on which he said I get payed tomorrow and I will drop it round. next day he didnt come round, I left it till the next week and same again.i knocked on the door and said whats happenning,his partner answered and said hes skint and it will be next week, and it still not been payed so im in need of what to do next.

lottie 14/06/2012 at 5:10 pm

I neghbours wall is the boundary of my property. they have had a pre-payment meter fitted so have to access through my property. they didint even have the desency to let me know they were doing this. what can I do?i have young girls and don't know these people from adam.

tiny 10/11/2011 at 9:35 am

My neighbour parks his car within inches of my car,he also flashes his full beam on his car when he comes down the street which goes directly in to my living room window.He also beeps his horn when leaving and when returning back and he uses excessive speed up and down the road were we live.In most case he just does not care about anyone else apart from him self.I am in the HM Forces and we have tried to talk to him but he will not listen at all.Ever since we moved in he has been a constant pain.They bang on the walls when they enter there house for no reason.I could go on and on.I reported him to the police and they said there is othing they can do as he does everything with the law in there eyes.The police suggested me to move from the property as it an Army house.Its getting behond the joke and it seems to me that other people that live around the street just put up with him due to being scared as he can be very intimidating at times.There must be something that can be done.

don't have on 15/06/2011 at 8:50 pm

It is so depressing to hear the children next door whoop and shriek between 4 oclock and supper-time about 7pm. The trampoline squeaks relentlessly! The father shouts instructions to them from the front door. Thank goodness I'm lucky enough to move my patio to the side of my house. They have no idea of the impact all this noise has on me; the parents are fairly brusque and I wouldn't like to complain. It 's surprising how grumpy it makes me feel.

Melinda 10/04/2011 at 4:51 pm

I would think that hordes of local children shrieking and screaming in your cul de sac every day would be reason for a noise complaint. Especially when you're trying to complete the final year of a degree.

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