When to Consider Legal Action

Originally written by Jeff Durham, updated by the editorial team on 27th July 2026

Try to sort things out informally first

Most disagreements between neighbours can be settled without involving solicitors or courts. Whether the problem involves noise, bonfires, boundary lines, pets, or building work, there will usually be a way to resolve matters through direct conversation.

Going straight to legal action, particularly over something the other person might view as minor, can make the situation worse. Your neighbour may become defensive or hostile, and what started as a small irritation can turn into a prolonged dispute.

A calm, straightforward chat is often the best starting point. Many people are genuinely unaware their behaviour is causing a problem. Explaining the issue without accusations gives them a chance to put things right. You might also learn something that changes how you see the situation.

If direct conversation seems challenging, consider writing a note or letter that carefully conveys your concerns while maintaining a diplomatic tone. Keep to the facts and avoid anything that could come across as threatening or aggressive.

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When informal approaches have not worked

If direct communication gets nowhere, or your neighbour refuses to engage, there are still steps to take before considering court action.

Mediation is one option worth trying. A trained mediator helps both parties talk through the problem and work towards a solution. The process is non-binding and depends entirely on both sides reaching an agreement voluntarily. The mediator does not take sides or impose decisions. Some local councils offer mediation services, though availability and cost vary considerably by area, so check with your local authority for details.

Your local council may be able to help in other ways too. Environmental health teams can investigate certain complaints, including persistent noise, smoke, and other statutory nuisances. Whether they take enforcement action depends on how serious they judge the problem to be and the resources available to them. Outcomes are not guaranteed, but formal warnings or fines are possible where issues are severe enough.

For issues involving antisocial behaviour, your council or local housing association may have specific procedures. If your neighbour rents their home, their landlord might also be able to intervene.

Keep a record of every incident. Note the date, time, what happened, and how it affected you. If you have photos, videos, or other evidence, save them. This kind of documentation can be useful later if the matter does go further.

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

Understanding where you stand legally

Many neighbour disputes fall under some form of legislation or legal principle, though not all situations fit neatly into a legal framework. Noise nuisance, planning rules, boundary disputes, overhanging trees, and party wall matters all have their own rules, while other issues may be governed more by custom or local practice.

Before taking formal steps, it helps to know your legal position. This will tell you whether you have a valid complaint, what remedies might be available, and what evidence you would need.

For planning and building matters, your local council's planning department can confirm what permissions have been granted and whether any rules have been broken. GOV.UK has guidance on planning permission and permitted development rights, though planning rules differ between England, Wales, and Scotland, so check local guidance where relevant.

Boundary disputes can be complicated. The Land Registry holds title plans that may help clarify where boundaries lie, though these are not always definitive. In some cases, you may need a surveyor's opinion.

If you are considering legal action, getting advice from a solicitor who handles neighbour disputes is sensible. Many offer an initial consultation at a fixed fee or free of charge. Citizens Advice can also point you towards local services. It is also worth checking whether your home insurance includes legal expenses cover, which might help with costs if proceedings become necessary.

When legal action becomes the right step

Court action should generally be a last resort. It can be expensive, stressful, and time consuming. Even if you win, enforcing a court order is not always straightforward, and living next door to someone you have taken to court can be difficult.

That said, there are situations where legal action is the appropriate response. If your neighbour's behaviour is seriously affecting your quality of life, if they refuse to engage with any other approach, or if there is a genuine legal wrong that only a court can address, then pursuing the matter formally may be justified.

Small claims court can handle disputes involving lower amounts of money and is designed to be accessible without a solicitor. However, neighbour disputes can be factually or legally complex, and taking advice beforehand is often sensible even for smaller claims. For more complex matters, or where you are seeking an injunction to stop certain behaviour, you will usually need legal representation.

Think carefully about what you want to achieve and whether court action is likely to deliver it. Even with a strong legal case, the practical outcome can be unpredictable, and the cost and effort involved may not always be justified by the result.

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 →

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79 questions

Ask Problem Neighbours a Question

ProblemNeighbours Editor 05/06/2026 at 9:15 am

@C What you're describing sounds awful, and you're right to want accountability. Since your neighbour's daughter is now 18, you could pursue a private prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, or a civil claim for the vet costs and distress caused. Get your video footage, vet records and any witness statements together, and speak to a solicitor who handles animal cases. Also report the ongoing harassment to your housing provider in writing, as social landlords have a duty to act on antisocial behaviour.

C 25/11/2025 at 10:55 am

My neighbour has made life hell trying to intimidate us from our flat they were sectioned in 2021 unbeknownst to me moving there in a couple of years later. At first seemed nice, but always gossiping about other neighbours and there children vile disgusting things then overly friendly with said people, a neighbour had said how lovely my dog was and it’s a pity their dog didn’t look like mine. Anyhow by this point I took a step back it was too much that’s when the problems really began trying everything in their power to make us feel unsafe in our home it got to the point the daughter 17 at the time came up behind us and kicked our dog ferociously in the stomach which caused lots of pain bleeding and a swollen abdomen baring in mind this is a small Yorkshire terrier happily walking along the police were useless and the RSPCA said they wouldn’t take her to court because she was 17. She is now 18 we want justice for our dog I have a recording of the incident and l’m thinking about taking them to court myself. There are some really vile humans out there that find their only joy in hurting others causing pain and distress and in flats it’s hard to get things dealt with especially in social housing.

Viv 21/07/2023 at 1:03 am

I moved in to a private let over 2 years ago everything was great and quiet, elderly couple next door older lady down stairs ,elderly couple own the land behind my property they have 2 older dogs 8 months after I moved in the got a rescue street dog from abroad barking for up to 8 hours a day that was nearly a year ago ,spoke to the elderly nieghbour which now makes 3 dogs to look after that the barking is excessive can't be in my flat ,fell on deaf ears ,barking continues ,contacted council ,dog warden nothing after Christmas the elderly couple add to the pack with a puppy ,I'm at my wits end ,ill sleeping in my car most days an few nights

Da macaca 23/04/2023 at 11:39 am

I have a couple middle 60 years old neighbours which have anti-social behaviour deliberately noise screaming to us to listen it. It's classified perverted and intentional to other to listen to them. It's more than one year now, I have taken all steps I possibly could take such: Sending 3 letters asking to stop, housing and manger office have spoken to them, the council has written to them, Ombudsman has written to the housing officer, the anti-social behaviour officer has spoken to the neighbours, Met police has been in contact and visited the neighbours. I have reported and taken all this steps. They have stopped for few months and has started all over again, the intentional very offensive screaming late nights again. Now I am seriously want take this to court, it is an offence for more than a year now which I have been taking note, CCTV camera recording of hundreds screaming late nights, neighbour witnesses and all reports I have. Also I have received a threatening letter from them also which I put on all reports I have made.

Please what is your advice, how can I start court proceedings with this offence?

Thank you

Angelah

WilleB 04/04/2023 at 2:31 am

The issue is I’ve got a new neighbor who is not very friendly to anyone at this point he has had the police called on him for beating his wife out in front of our house,
As there is a video to videos of all this happening before the police got there. I share a porch with these people it’s like a duplex, so I’m there is only a thin wall separating and there is all the time verbal and physical abuse going on as I have the outside, but I have witnessed it through the walls daily that I’ve been home - he is always hollering/screaming/cussing. He thinks that he just has a right to everything and use anybody stuff. Because where I live there’s four renters two in one building which is him and I know there’s another building with apartment and then a house and each rental has its own area for horses and a barn goes with it. He just really disrespects everything and acts like Billy BA around there. First instance he was there drunk every day, but he turned his horse out with my horses and left the gate open and then want to scream at my neighbor, and said he had to write everything. here’s the main thing he’s not abide by the rules but he is displaying very aggressive behavior toward not just me the other neighbors. He displays very threatening behavior. I’m the one that listens to hasta hear him yelling and screaming and abusing his wife and kids every single day, and you know it’s a very uncomfortable situation. I have told my landlord many times over the last two weeks. I have got it all in text. I’ve had to put some security cameras up. I’ve had to keep some of my horses someplace else I’m actually not been home in my bed but two times in the last 15 days so it is really causing issues and money but mostly a lotta stress - it doesn’t even feel safe to go outside and go to my barn anymore, effects my business cause I make my living from horses. How wants be outside working when this creep wants to stand on his front porch and act like a bad ass and him threaten you know, threatening, threatening display of actions - he is cussed at me. Im just really uncomfortable this and I’ve let my land landlord know and my landlord said she did not blame me for moving my horses out of there and me for the time being because last Sunday she said she was going to evict them well she did not evict him and the next day is when he was outside, beating his wife in front of my neighbors, customers of theirs and they’re a little kid and the cops are calls all documented but my landlord doesn’t seem to have any understanding of how dangerous this is it how uncomfortable this is and I’m not trying to add more to it but when they’re gone, there’s a dog in there that barks nonstop the whole time they’re gone. There’s two dogs in there. One doesn’t bark very much but the one barks numerous numerous times I constantly while they’re gone and I’ve got recordings of listening to the dog at different times barking, barking and barking and barking. This guy is to have ptsd and

Jo 09/03/2023 at 9:01 pm

I need advice regarding my neighbour. I've been under pressure with them for a year and half now and I think my heart can not take much more no longer. I have mustered evidence of nearly daily disturbances with noisy music, banging on the walls, thuds, door slams, fighting, screaming, stomping and kicking the walls, now developed into peaking through the windows and making comments on what's inside and what we watch on tv etc. even tried to lure our cat to them for what I believe would be a harm intentions to the cat - i am feeling harassed and mentally abused - landlord refused to get involved in this, what are my rights? should I go to council first or straight up for police report harassment? it all started after I've politely asked them about turning down the music a bit .. right now i am prissoner in our house as they would be making comments on us being outside as well or under the open window they make sure we hear them talking loud sh*t about us...

Hendo 24/02/2023 at 7:37 am

Hello there! I unfortunately have a neighbour from hell who thinks she rules the roost.
I have had problems before regarding her dog where she used to let it into my garden and do his business. I used to confront her all the time and she said "iv left poo bags out there for you"
Anyway, the whole thing got abit messy as I'm one for standing up for myself, she has bullied the other flats and people have moved away because of her.
I work nights, and without Fail at 645 every morning she let's him out and all he does is constantly bark. I feel sorry for him as she never takes him for a walk, nor does anyone else take him, so I can feel his frustration, I'm not even going to attempt communicating with her as I get abuse back, but is there anything that can be done?

Ange 23/02/2023 at 1:46 pm

A neighbour is using the public pavement outside his property as part of his property. He stores wood mostly and under a peice of plastic held down by bricks. He also stores cars under covers on the pavement, all four wheels on the pavement. There is no way you can walk along this part of the pavement and regular dog walkers have to walk around it all by going into the road. It is a cul de sac with no through traffic as such. We have reported him to the council on a number of occasions for other probelms, he has been spoken to by us and other neighbours but he is agreesive and rude even when spoken to politely. What if anything can be done about the piles of stuff on the pavement?

christine clift 04/10/2022 at 1:19 am

I moved into an apartment alone 2 years ago. I keep to myself mostly. A woman that lives next door is quite social and I did try to respond to her HELLOS and speak to her when she said hello but she her language was quite vulgar and I was with my grand child often and i tried to avoid them being exposed to all of that. Finally She exploded on me one day for reasons i cant explain and I didnt speak to her after that. I would not engage. Im not allow to use the yard here. SO I would just basically come and go to the part or take my dog for a walk. It got so she would come out her door ever time she saw me come out and would yell thing at me. Terrible things. weather the kids were with me or not. I ignored her and it just got worse. One day she lifted her shirt up and showed my 5 yr old grandson her bare breasts. She has been caught stealing packages from others neighbors left by UPS etc. She was seen throwing a rock at a glass table that sat in our yard. She is often on her front porch which makes it very difficult to even check the mail without a barrage of terrible language and demeaning foul words. My family now uses the back entrance.I was walking my dog a month ago in the field across the street, on the phone and she walked right up to me and struck me with a gallon of milk. I called the police and they did not arrest her. I am hard pressed for a place to take my dog to stretch her legs. Last week I again had her across the street and this woman had a man cutting a few branches off a tree in front of her house. i came home and quickly grabbed my mail. she began screaming at me and i ignored her. she said YEAH IM TALKING TO YOU < YOU F;ing B$%^H. .I turned to glance at her and she was holding a huge rock over her head as to throw it at me) Her porch is above my driveway. I was scared to death. afraid to look away for she would throw it at the back of my head. She must have though better of it and set it down. I started to my door and she rambled on about ripping my face off and threw a cane at me and missed and then threw a large tree branch at me and hit me in the neck. it slid down my arm and hit my dog across the back.Causing her to yelp. I called the police immediately and again they did nothing but suggested i move. Im sure i have a neck injury,.i've tried twice for an x ray..(another story) and i'm sure there is some damage. i am afraid to leave my home. there are times when she has company on her porch with her and they harass me terribly when im getting on my bus to go to my doctors appointments. i just don't know what to do. I have Epilepsy, and Severe White Matter Disease ischemic brain disease. Cerebral vascular disease. Im going to try to get a neck xray tomorrow, its just nt getting any better. I am afraid to fall asleep at night and she makes remarks about coming up here with an axe etc. Is there any help out there?

H 30/08/2022 at 12:29 pm

Hi Vilhelm,
We had a similar issue just months after moving into our property. There's a main pipe, which is on the shared drive. There was a broken pipe under the drive, we call out the water service company. When speaking to the workmen, they said that we should seriously consider getting insurance for the outside water pipes as we would be responsible not only for the one on the shared drive but also for the house opposite our street! The cost would likely run into thousand pounds in repairs! It might be worth speaking to someone from your water company? Although it does make it easier if they could go to your property and physically see how and where the pipes run?
Good Luck!

Vilhelm 25/08/2022 at 4:40 am

I came across with a issue with my neighbor , his water pipe is going through my property , and he came to me that I should fix his leaking pipe on my house insurance .Is this how it should be ? I don't think that I should pay for his broken pipe , when in law said clear that every householder should maintain his pipe .I was really kind and said that I agree to dig on my property to fix his pipe but he doesn't want that , he wants me to pay for his pipe .
Any advice according to this issue is more then welcome .

Pepe 03/07/2021 at 9:26 pm

I have (nephew) stays at home w/me and my sis,I help my sis w/bills,and rent and food.
Nephew always getting high on meth everyday.
He He steals everything I own,sis dosen't do anything.
Am at were I don't speak to him.
But he's spreading rumor's and lie's.
Calling me scammer,
And local gov,sent him check in mail,and he said,I stole it.
Cause of covid 19,I don't want rent,cause it's dangeous,
Next option is buying gun.

Johann 30/05/2021 at 5:03 pm

The hardset part is dealing with people who cry disability but who aren't actual disabled (like mentally vulnerable on benefits). They use this as a free card and make you dance to their tune when you try confront them. If you try defend your stance, it could "upset" them which they can word as you attacked them.

I have such a neighbor who smokes all day, plays soccer in the garden, but is on benefits due to being "vulnerable". Yet, she rips out plants from common property, talks loud on her phone about what "she will do to the neighbors (us)" etc.

Just want to send them off to their own island.

VictimOf 13/12/2020 at 12:14 am

Nobody should be suggesting you speak to your neighbours. This is really irresponsible and stupid. Especially for most people who make noise on purpose or are so stupid they don't realise. Send them a letter saying to stop or you'll take legal action and may phone the police if it happens again, and that should be it. And I wouldn't even bother using the police and council (UK). Go straight to civil action unless you want a 2 year fight and false allegations etc.

lala 02/11/2020 at 10:39 pm

As the owner of a flat in a block with a share in the freehold, what rights do I have?
We have a "board" who make all the decisions and a management company who implements them. The only correspondence we have with either is the service charge demands.

Do I have any right to have a say in anything that affects the block? Should there be a vote on decorative embellishments to the building?

Can you suggest anywhere I can go to get advice that is not too expensive, not the Citizens Advice Bureau as they are so busy is virtually impossible to get an appointment

Redwhale 12/10/2020 at 8:23 pm

Iv been subjected to unusual frequencies and an idling generator for over 5 years on a daily worse at night basis EH had been involved still isn't now the nieghbours have muffled the noise and vibrations..torture is all I can describe on a 24/7 basis at the end of my tether as the authorities excuse the activities of the nieghbours stating the noise could be coming from anywhere it's a cop out and negligence but hay this is Cornwall where not alot gets done shocking

jimbo 15/07/2020 at 11:13 am

Trying to buy ground floor flat. offer accepted but person who owns flat above wants chimney
to come down. Roofers find nothing wrong with chimney and she refuses to
let other people examine it. She has an Abatement out with Council. The seller accepted our
offer a year ago but we cannot do anything till this is resolved.

Easytiger 25/06/2020 at 3:49 pm

Well people iv had enough of my next door neighbour, load music every day for the past 11 years . They have damage my property. 5 years ago I had to get the council out due to cigarette ends in my garden. Doing recordings for the council but this as been months and not a thing done. I am not paying my council tax and I don’t care what they do . Where are my rights to live my quiet life. If council don’t do anything I’m going to take her to court due to the fact I can’t even sale my house because of her. I really think we good people need to stand together and fight for what’s right..

2.8 Injection 18/06/2020 at 12:26 pm

After a month of broken sleep I had to go to doctors as I had a constant headache and could not get to sleep. I was put on sleeping tablets. I spoke to my neighbour and he agreed to take the bird elsewhere overnight and bring it back during the day. This arrangement worked well until I had to start shielding in mid March. From 10am till as late as 8pm there was no let up. Sometimes crowing four to five times a minute with no let up. Even with doors and windows shut it invaded every room. As the weather got hotter it was unbearable in my house. Finally we fell out over it and after four months from when it first started I complained to Environmental Health. I had to keep a diary of noise for two weeks. When they got it back they said it was a intrusion and basically he was told by them to take active measures to reduce the problems. For first week it was better but as time has gone on it’s pretty much back where we were. I contacted Environmental Health yesterday but the case worker dealing with it hasn’t got back to me yet. We have now recorded a complaint with the Housing Association. So far it would appear that they do not allow tenants to keep cockerels on their properties. Three weeks on still have the noise, feel a prisoner in my own home and don’t know what else to do.

2.8 Injection 18/06/2020 at 12:18 pm

I am in the unlucky position of being at loggerheads with both my neighbours. Only in last few months has it turned nasty. Because of covid situation authorities have done very little. I have underlying health conditions so have been shielding for over three months at time of writing this email, and have been trapped in my home. I have lived in this home for 30 years and it’s been good. Majority of people who were here when moved in have either moved away or passed away. Neighbourhood attitudes seem to change too, as not many people socialise here any more. I don’t have a problem with that as all my friends are elsewhere and see them regularly. So to start, my home is owned by a housing association. The neighbour on one side own their home and moved in about 12 years ago. She quickly was recognised as being a busybody and into everyone’s business. Consequently no one local bothers with them. We kept them on friendly terms purely because didn’t have any problems with them. 5 years ago they got planning permission for an extension. Progress is slow because they are doing the work themselves. This is not the problem. They have planted a hedge on the roadside which has never been trimmed. It is making visibility getting off my drive extremely difficult. The hedge is restricting the footpath by 50% and is about 30 feet high, out of keeping with everywhere else. I asked them to trim it back so I can see to get off my drive some 4 years ago but it never happened. Someone has complained to the county council, and they have been told to trim it back or they will have action taken against them. They thought incorrectly it was me and hostilities began. The problem I do have with them and which I have as a consequence made a complaint are trees and shrubs they have planted on the border between us. I have 3 cars on my drive which get very sticky from sap from one of their shrubs, the other drops scratchy deposits. One of the trees is right up against the fence and post pushing it towards one of my cars on my drive. The root from this is pushing up on my side. In summer this tree (wild cherry) drops its red fruit all over the same car. Birds are attracted to the fruit so bird droppings also a problem. The tree is as high now as our house. I had to have our satellite dish moved because it blocked the signal. The amount of leaves this tree sheds in winter is shocking. They have totally refused to do anything despite costs and damage that I am starting to get. Housing Association knew about this four months ago and so far nothing has happened. The second problem is with neighbour the other side of me who is also Housing Association. He has kept chickens for years with no problems. Just before last Christmas he got a cockerel. This was regularly waking me at 5am and sometimes as early as 2:30am. At the time he tried several means to rectify it but non worked. After a month of broken sleep I had to go to doctors as I had a constant headache and could not get to sl

Barney 22/04/2020 at 7:07 pm

I have neighbour that suffers from severe mental health problems. I have over the years complained about him to the housing association environmental health. And the police but still nothing has been done? What more can I do the guy is having a detrimental effect on my health. Any advice would be wellcome.

Viking 25/02/2020 at 11:08 pm

I’ve rented house I’m in 8yrs, any jobs required doing always carried out myself ( much easier/ less hassle).
However the damp mould woodworms leaking roof ( there’s lots more).
I contacted landlord phone calls emails went to his home ( he lives around the corner ) showed him photos this went on for months. Ended up getting EHOs (nov 19th had his notice) start date 4th Jan completed by jan 30. Since nov 19 till today 25th feb it’s been 100 days and guess what absolutely nothing I’m at end off belief now feel so so isolated do I take him to court my possessions carpets clothes fridge freezer exc all ruined house is freezing . Don’t owe any rent always on time £560.00 . Any advise would be most appreciated. I’m writing notes and taking photos of everything now ( taken over my life hate it ) Doctors I think then court proceedings. If you want to say anything in private I’ll forward my details Thank you for reading through hope it make sense

maz 30/09/2019 at 11:26 pm

my neighbour moved in December last year i have not spoken to him at all so in the summer he come out do you speak? and who says you can cut the hedge? also who says you can have that Topiary dog on there, the one i was cutting, i have Topiary front and back it is good for my depression, i ignored him then he said i am not your mate then threatened to put me on my arse, i was in a good mood as well, he is still trying to talk to me i cannot stand him, he is ex army and thinks hes the man, i have contacted the police, nothing has come of it, my dad started me of with the Topiary i lost him to cancer and this guy could not lace his boots, he lives on his own and no one visits him,and his garden has weeds more weeds and litter.

Hueycat 14/08/2019 at 10:59 am

We have lived at our property for 19 years. I found my neighbour dead on Jan 29 last year. The new landlord put 2 Asian men in no furniture or food. Then they did a flit. The other men moved in turned it into a cannabis factorty. So from May this year till June 9 weeks scared to leave the property as they had access to the loft. Finally got busted. But I suffer depression and anxiety panic attacks and phsoratic arthritis. This made me so ill I coukd not sleep hubby worried about leaving me now the landlord redoing the house and I don't want to live here anymore. Can I claim stress on this horrible money greedy liaring landlord. Thank you any advice would be much appreciated.

Gift card recipient 06/08/2019 at 5:56 pm

We just moved in to this nice house in this nice neighborhood and immediately learned the house next door is a crack house , full of squatters. A generator running all the time. Now we are stressed because this is not what we expected. All the other neighbors consider this a problem also . dont we have rights ? A right to peace and quiet . A right to know if we leave something outside it wont be stolen ? A right to know our kids are safe to play out side ? What about legal tenant rights

Steve 25/07/2019 at 8:55 pm

i live on a lovely street , with great long time neighbours . One side of the street is elevated with semi’s and the other has detached bungalows , which are lower than the street - we live in one of the detached bungalows ( for 35 years)
For around 2 years we have had to endure a neighbour who lives across the road changing his driving habits and reversing his people carrier into a one car space in front of his house ( with only room between his house and pavement for one car ) . Our house being lower than the road , has a large lounge window facing directly onto the street , so that as we sit in the lounge the neighbours car is framed fully by our window . The effect is that when he comes home , he drives past his drive , the neighbours drive facing us , past our drive - stopping infront of our window '!! Our view is the mum & dad & 3 kids sat looking into our lounge - very private ! This can happen up to 6 times a day ! When they go out at night ( on a regular basis) on returning home we get their head lights directly in our faces ...even when we have quests .The main culprit ,the father, was ( until around 2 months ago a a director of a company) and always acts in a very super-silly-arse demeaning way .....recently he was made redundant , but the attitude remains . I approached him very pleasantly when it initially started with the headlights , he said he would condescendingly consider it - guess what nothing has change !
I am running out of a ways of dealing with him to the point it is really effecting my health as we have done nothing to deserve this disrespect ! Please , please help !!!!

Butcher76 08/06/2019 at 12:06 am

My uncle trying to kick me off my land and is coming over every day and stalking and harrastinh me

Ena2019 28/05/2019 at 4:55 pm

My neighbour has been cultivating cannabis in their flat and ventilating the stink air this creates in to my flat. I have told the Housing Association several times. This ventilation happens at all times of the day or night. In winter when temperatures are low and windows are shut is the worse. In addition, my neighbours have preempted me complaining about their activity by making false malicious complaints against me.
Other neighbours have told me '...they want you out...'. I have been homeless, moved several times while homeless. I do not want to move. Any suggestions of how to remedy this situation would be appreciated

Baum 06/05/2019 at 1:41 am

My neighbours are antisocial, they are asking for trouble.My son is getting “ so called paid to clean the wheelie bin, dog foulings, garden sheds, even asked to steal garden fences, the next door 3 and 5 are not taking care of their garden fences, and doing nothing else but sitting on their bottom and not even taken my words for serious.
Instead they paying my son with alcohol etc and laughing me in my face.My late husbands tools are missing because the neighbours do want their houses decorated, power tools paint brushes etc, lawnmowers.
Apparently my son does like that.
I’m widowed.

Jay 20/01/2019 at 9:12 am

My neighbor cut me off from his septic tank. I bought my house a year ago and the neighbour had an agreement with previous owner to allow drainin to his septic tank only if the property is used as a doctor surgery. This was in operation for thirty years. Now the building no longer à surgery and it is being converted to residential property but the neighbour would not allow me to connect to his tank. My property has no land to put a tank in it and has no other mean of doing so, except connecting to the Neibour’s.. negotiations failed. Can I take the matter to the court ??

ShazT 14/11/2018 at 7:55 am

For the last 6 months the house next door has been rented out to group that re-habilitates ex-convicts. We’ve had 6 months of hell. They bang around at all hours, play music loud at all hours, most of them are on drugs. They’re made to read the bible. This doesn’t help them. Most of them get bored and just go back to crime. We’ve harassed, had these people knocking on our door at all hours, many times a day. The current guy is the worst. He does drugs, plays loud music all the time, leaves the lights on 24/7, inside and 2 really bright outside lights. Tried talking to the landlady and the owner. Apparently they’ve been in touch with the probation worker, who has done nothing, neither have the police, in spite of the fact that this guy was walking down the street with garden shears, whilst high as a kite the other day and also I suspect he’s the one who broke into a neighbours shed the other night and tried to sleep in there like a tramp. He also has this woman sleep over sometimes and they just argue all the time. She is a right state too. Saw them walking around from the neighbours, like they’d been trying to get in to their garden, but couldn’t see for definite. These people keep getting dumped next to is. The landlady and the owner are the ones making money out of our misery. So sick of it. In that time I’ve also had a miscarriage. Which is probably due to the stress. It’s a wonder I haven’t ended it. But it is very difficult to go on.

Ahmadi 11/11/2018 at 1:07 pm

My neighbor dog parking in night time it doesn’t let to get sleeping

Maria 06/10/2018 at 3:48 pm

I'm a lady that lives alone with my cat! I had too leave my last flat due too being badly abused by neighbour whom at the time resided underneath. At the beginning I thought the Housing Association were so supportive, little did I know when I moved away from the ill woman that I was moving into a flat where for the past two years I've done nothing but ask for Help from the Housing Association & the police. Each time I've been left to be put through HELL by a woman whom has gone out of her way too try & get an injunction which she did with her dirty lies. Her & the housing association got together made up lies & put me in court which has left me suicidal. I have lived alone for many years & I do consider myself a good tenant whom doesn't go out my way too abuse Anyone yet I have been harassed by a woman from the Housing Association as well as putting up with neighbour abuse constant listening at our wall's which are paper thin! As I'm typing this she is upstairs banging down abusing me yet it's me that was served with a section 8 & a injunction order against me. Wow! How I am getting through this I will never know! I am good person who doesn't deserve this & I'm not leaving this as it's me that could lose this property & have nowhere too Go. The Housing Association, The Police & The Neighbour Are a Disgrace for putting me through this. I rang the Police today & got told there is only one phone call i made too the police when in fact it's been over a period of two years I've been ringing the Police for Help & each time ive been left. I assume I'm up in court soon too put my side too the Judge as Somebody needs too listen too the Truth & not the Lies made up by Neighbour & Housing Association. I feel there is NO Justice in this world. This has had a massive impact on my mental & physical health but I am not leaving this! I do feel & understand for others going through the same thing & remember Don't Give Up & fight for Justice!!!

Tracey 17/06/2018 at 8:29 am

Since I moved into my private let there has been one thing after another .Anyway at moment there r holes in living room n kitchen area and bathroom also on the only room in the house .The flat is ground floor in an old sand stone building so its mould and mildew in cupboards,wardrobe,n drawers that is my only storage for clothing ,bedding etc... The mould is that bad it keeps ruining my clothes as the mold does not come out after washing.now I have an infestation of mice and have put up with it for almost a month now.Plz tell me there's something I can do as I've tried traps n rat n mice bate I cannot sleep in bed as they r even in the new bed and I'm forced to fold over all my quilts on sofa n sleep while I feel them knawing through the foam .I am on ESA due to anxiety n I can't handle it anymore

Nat 02/06/2018 at 12:28 am

My neighbours who have been nightmare for years most recently left an envelope on my doorstep saying hi love on it and containing used toilet paper. I have two witnesses but without proof who left it there. So frustrating.

Had enough 20/05/2018 at 7:51 am

I have nocturnal neighbours that are up and down every night seven days a week 365 days a year. They go to bed around 04.30 every morning; they don’t play music but they do their daily life at night-the council gave them a warning but they said they won’t take any further action because it is “normal daily living noises” , we haven’t had a night sleep since November but they sleep every morning while we are at work.

What can we do?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 08/11/2017 at 2:08 pm

Document all the work you've undertaken in the course of building the new property and how many times the drive has been crossed by work vans etc during the build. This should help prove/disprove the impact of your building work on the drive itself.

Jenny 07/11/2017 at 6:07 pm

We are building a new property at the end of a shared drive, which we own but the other 2 properties have access over the drive and shared responsibility to maintain. The drive has been in a poor state for many years. But one of the neighbours is now accusing us of causing the damage and threatening to sue us unless we install a new drive! Complete cobblers but what is our best course of action to protect us from legal action?

dz 07/07/2017 at 12:48 am

Our neighbors are constantly smoking cannabis in their garden and inside (we live in a terraced house) which means all the smoke is coming inside of our house. We can't go in the garden when they do (and this is couple of times a day) because the smell is so strong and it gets me. Also we have friend visiting us with small kids which don't want to come any more because nobody wants their kids to be exposed to that. We are also trying for a baby and I don't want to be breathing that. We have tried on so many occasions to tell them to go somewhere else to smoke as coming to our house and garden - in the beginning they will stop for a day or two and start again, but now is "yes, ok we will not do it again here" and in about an hour or two they are smoking again. Can we do something or we have to sell the house and move? (the house they are living is a council house)

James 09/05/2017 at 8:05 am

Hi every single morning from about 7 oclock to 9 my next door neighbours dog is shut out in the garden and is constantly barking. I have not been able to sleep past 7 for about 2 years now and i am really starting to lose my patience. Is there a time frame that noise complaints like this is deemed illegal. I know there is if its too late at night just wondering if there a cut off time in the morning also. Just wanted to point that outto them before reporting to whatever authourity is necessary. I can understand a dog barking at times but because its locked out in the garden barking to be let back in all the time its not the dogs fault its the owners. Thanks in advance.

pingu 20/04/2017 at 6:08 pm

Hi my neighbour says i am parking to close to her gate. I have explained as being disabled following a stroke I need to park as close as possible to my house. she is now parking so close to my car it is impossible to get into the boot, she has now taken to saying if i was that disabled i wouldnt be able to drive . she has taken to videoing me getting in and out of the car.at what point does this become discrimination due to disability ?

kazoo 05/01/2017 at 4:37 pm

my neighbour downstairs who is elderly is slandering my son and accusing him of bullying and harassment. My son is 21 and has just finished university with a 1st degree so hes of good standing. She has called police at least 3 times and constantly writing to Croydon council who have investigated and found she has mental health problems. I have now had enough so what should I do now?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 14/12/2016 at 2:04 pm

Let's hope so. If they can't then you could try your MP or the Police Complaints Commission to complain about the police response.

Zuccoo 13/12/2016 at 8:54 pm

The empty propety next door is a canabis farm. Informed police nothing done .
Reported smell and a constant noise like a generator 24hours a day.
Can't relax as worried about a fire starting .
Have now reported to environmental department at local council let hope they can sort this problem out .

Paul Cook 04/11/2016 at 7:08 am

I have had problems with my neighbours for the past 2 years! they are alcoholics and one of them is a druggy . they mainly bang doors and cupboards etc at all hours of the morning waking me up constantly which is causing me stress, anxiety and depression. I have gone through hell ! he as his druggy friends round, buys drugs from cars that pull up outside the where I live , every time he closes a door he bangs it ! he also passed out one evening , well it was 1am when I heard the smoke alarm going off and I went round to see his flat full of smoke .
I have reported them both , I have filled out diary sheets ,one after another , but it goes on , a circle ! I report him , he gets called into the council , he lies and he continues ! I have had the noise recorder as well but its so difficult to predict when he his going to bang doors! it as now got confrontational, where we have shouting matches , where he amusingly offers me out for a fight ?????? !
though I would enjoy knocking him on his backside , I resist !
he is a liar, druggy and alcoholic, yet the council say its my word against his and that its normal living noise ?! what at 1 am , 2 am, 3am, 4am, 5am???
I am at my wits end !!! I have put in for a transfer now, being forced to leave my home !

ProblemNeighbours Editor 07/10/2016 at 12:29 pm

Who has told her she has to repair it? Is she a tenant of a landlord or does she own the property? Unless there are specific conditions, in general a land owner is not obliged to fence in their property unless they need to contain their livestock etc. There is nothing to prevent you from erecting your own fence if it's causing an issue.

Jonny 06/10/2016 at 2:22 pm

Neighbours fence blew down at Xmas 2014 ,been told She has to repair it 6 months ago still not taking any notice !!!!

ProblemNeighbours Editor 08/08/2016 at 10:59 am

If there are no parking restrictions in the road, there is nothing you can do to prevent people parking there unfortunately.

bubba1975 07/08/2016 at 10:59 am

Can I do anything about a neighbour who has 3 cars parked down a side road where I live who is not supposed to be living at the property

Jacobs 30/07/2016 at 11:48 pm

What the he'll what happened to where neighbours just get on and street help each other is the world false . I so in need help no one seems help me . My garden un safe as a wall need be rendered by our neighbours who are home owners they had notice and still no think. I hate it. People come all walks life have all sorts problems but your no better then one other. Why people get funny with your happiness. I believe it up to you to make what you want life . That why problems like these happen. What world coming to?..

Do I have any rights to file for negotiations as he making my property UN safe abd could collapse hrlp me .

Dory 30/01/2016 at 10:34 pm

I have been listening to my neighbour's very loud party for hours, every sonoften they crank the volume up. The majority of them are late teen males so I am not going round. I know if I report them they will retaliate and I live with my elderly disabled parent so don't want a physical confrontation. I send text messages to friends as a way of at least having some record of recent dates. I get tempted to play tit for tat but I feel that is what they want, to provoke a reaction. Is contacting Environmental Health a good idea? Has it ever worked?

Sol 27/01/2016 at 2:37 am

My back neighbour jumped over the fence with a friend and assaulted my friends after being politely turned away then ruined my garden as a result of the scuffle. I do not believe they can afford to pay compensation for breaking all my plants. The police were called while they were still there and stupidly denies they jumped the fence at all. What justice do I get for this? I am traumatised.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 15/12/2015 at 10:37 am

If you feel comfortable about talking to him, that should be your first course of action. If this is unsuccessful, your local council should be able to take action under Antisocial Behaviour legislation. There is more about the AntiSocial Behaviour Act here

underadvisement 14/12/2015 at 2:27 pm

I am starting have problems with a neighbour who is an alcoholic who has decided to throw his empty wine bottles etc into my garden and the surrounding area.I was wondering if someone could advise me on a course of action I should consider taking.

Andy 06/12/2015 at 1:02 pm

I recently purchased a semi detached property and the adjoining semi is going to ruin. It is still occupied. When decorating we found 2 dead rats under floorboards and in lift space. The property has no facias of guttering, but most concerning to us is the water overflow has been constantly running now for over a month. I informed the occupier but nothing has been done. I've noticed very damp brick work in our outside kitchen wall caused by this running water. I'm really concerned that this is going to cause long term serious damage to our property. What can we do about this? The occupier does not seem to care about the property or the impact it has on ours. Is there someone we can approach to have this resolved?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 17/11/2015 at 11:31 am

We only deal with UK law here. If you had this problem here, the fact that your trees shedsleaves and overhangs the neighbour's property would not be sufficient to ask you to remove it. The neighbour would be expected to simply remove any overhanging branches himself and then "offer" you the branches back (you could refuse them).

Bec1952 15/11/2015 at 8:12 am

I have a problem with an abusive neighbour. When I purchased this property over 10 years ago I inherited a yard full of large trees which the former owner planted. On one side boundary is a melalueca, and since I have lived here I have been constantly bullied and harrassed by the neighbour regarding this tree, he complains that it overhangs his house and drops leaves in his gutters.

Previously, this man has tresspassed on my property while I have been out; cut branches from this tree and strewn the debris all over my yard. This afternoon when I was in my front yard, he abused me again and gave me one week to get rid of the tree or he would take action. I am on the pension and am unable to come up with the thousand or so dollars to remove this tree. I also have other trees that need removing - I have already removed one tree and am in the process of removing the most urgent ones first. I have taken offense to being bullied and spoken to with a total lack of respect by these people.

If they had behaved in a reasonable, co-operative manner we could have worked together and the trees would have been long gone. Instead they have chosen to be bullies. Their threats include: running over my dogs, dropping my dogs, taking legal action, etc, etc.

I am heartily sick of having to put up with this behaviour from the husband, wife and son. Does anyone have any suggestions?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 27/08/2015 at 11:59 am

Do you have a medical professional who helps with manage the bipolar episodes? If so, they should be able to provide you with support in applying for Housing Association or Council housing. The council will also be able to give you lots of information on your options if you are threatened with imminent homelessness. You can also find support from local community groups - look in your area, they don't have to be associated with mental health, but BiPolar UK has some good information on this. Try and emphasise that you would like somewhere dog-friendly when you apply for new accommodation.

Jules 26/08/2015 at 12:33 am

Responding to lady with dogs(apparently) causing problems! I have been living here for just under a year now. I live with my two beautiful babies (dogs) rescued,one 12yr,other 6yrs. They only bark when door knock or sudden noises,usual dogs doing their jobs! I am actually here after a violent attack and rehomed in new area. One neighbour took instant dislike to me and accused me of loud music ( my stereo has one speaker) I'm a tv person! Arguments ( which everyone does but I can't even laugh because she says she can hear me! I'm bipolar and surely me laughing is a good thing??? The actual rows,dog barking etc is others in the block *WHICH I HAve recorded!!! She has called police on me,they found no problem! Then she told upstairs neighbour that I accused them of the noise,causing boyfriend to come to my door and threaten me and my partner violently! To top it all housing estate management have threatened me with eviction even though I've tried to contact them ( no reply). Now my landlord is selling flat(NOTHING to do with me) and I'm going to be homeless with two dogs! I feel suicidal! Who do I see? Talk to ? Please HELP!!!

Nunu 09/06/2015 at 11:18 pm

I have a problem with cigarette smoke coming into my house. I live in a terraced house. Is there anything that can be done?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 17/03/2015 at 10:15 am

@Topcat. No he should divulge the nature of his complaint to the buyer or to you. You should not have to go to court to find out what it's about. Ask your own solicitor for advice.

Topcat 13/03/2015 at 6:14 pm

Our neighbor has wrote to us via a chartered surveyor, informing us that he hS a dispute with us. We have just sold the house and now of course can not sell until it is resolved. However, it says in the letter that it is reference a boundary dispute but will not tell us what that is. Is it correct that we are now stuck here and that we can only force him to divulge what the detail is in court? It seems ridiculous that we are stuck here at the whim of one man?
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. This is not the first time this man has harassed us.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 13/03/2015 at 2:35 pm

@Sammygirl. Really you should inform someone if you are filming them for any reason.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 13/03/2015 at 12:56 pm

@'Nukey. If your landlord does not carry out necessary repairs there are certain steps to follow. This guide explains what you need to know.

SammysGirl 11/03/2015 at 3:19 pm

I was wondering if it is legal to record (for documentation) antisocial behaviour happening in your street from your own home through a window.

Nukey 11/03/2015 at 11:45 am

I live with my dad and we privetly rent a 2 bed flat and our landlord hasnt done anything to sort it and i have mould on my ceiling and i suffer from asma what should i do about it

netale 10/11/2014 at 8:24 pm

I have lived in my house for 15 years with no problems two years ago the neighbours from hell moved in!We stayed clear of there gossip and just tried to get on with our life's! Then last year her husband threatened to torch our house and torcher my family! He was arrested and went to court but got off with a fine and caution!! Since then they have constantly ring the housing complaining of anything the other neighbours and we do ( which is so much as parking in the layby) they have broken my back garden Fence while we've been out! Play music loud, talk really loud with the Windows openTrying to intimidate us! Yet the housing defend her ( she has told a neighbour she hasContact within the housing) do you think that the solicitor would now be a option toSolve these problems? We are trying to deal with terminal illness in the family and justWant to live in peace and so do the other neighbours in our close!

loss for words 20/06/2014 at 9:28 pm

So my problem is this we ( my 3 year old stepson finance and I) moved into a home we thought was a nice place to live , nice people at first and a beautiful neighborhood close to work stores and busses. Little did we know the kind of horror we were in for, our landlord ended up being a raging alcoholic that woul drink his bill money away rather than pay them. His girlfriend (a 61 year old heroine addict) proved to be even worse then him with her accusations of molestation of neglect and abuse to the stepson I love with all my heart and soul. When we moved in it was quiet and somewhat alright, but after a month they had other junkies move in and rent other rooms in the house and its been a living nightmare for us. We can't move out because our last and security deposit money is now gone, our landlord is sectioned by the state and the water is now going to be shut off due to non payment. I don't know what to do about any of this my family is stuck in this place with these disgusting people, we don't belong here but there seems to be nowhere else we can go. I don't know if anyone has any idea's or what I can do to protect myself and my family from his girlfriend's accusations whether legal or something like that, im pretty sure we're going to just cut our losses and go into a family shelter on monday but that means our jobs will be no more.

Jean 10/06/2014 at 5:36 pm

We are at present going through the process of a TPO being tried for regarding huge trees which grow twice as tall as our home and overhanging branches which take up almost half of our garden. During storms large branches from these trees ended up in our garden nearly smashing a shed window. My husband who is 82 yrs old critically ill with cancer and Parkinson's Dis attempted to dispose of these branches. In the process the effort caused him to collapse and bang his head in the wall. I have informed the council dealing with this TPO that I do not consider these trees safe enough to be allowed to continue as they are in my garden and was informed that this had nothing to do with the TPO as it was a civil matter. What action can I take to prevent this happening again. My husband has been informed by his doctor that he is NOT to do work in the garden but telling and making him do something is a different matter. He should not be expected to go through this because of selfish unthinking neighbours but unfortunately that is what we have.

Shell 23/05/2014 at 6:03 pm

Fly infestation and smell of decomposition in a neighbours flat. Police attended, other neighbour contacted housing association to get it cleaned. Nothing done for four days so far. Who is responsible and does it need specialist cleaning?

Redcat 08/05/2013 at 8:21 pm

My property is over the length of 3 garages with the back garden also covers the full length at the back of the property. A new neighbour recently rewired there garage much to the inconvenience due to the noise to our living space. However, the issue is that they have taken the electrical wiring through the back wall of there garage and along my party wall which is ugly and protrudes into my garden the location just 1 meter above the ground is really inconvenient and seems a danger as that is the location where I normally have my BBQ. This was done without any consent of mine nor was access given to them to my garden to allow them to do this. Is there anything I can do to get this removed? The landlord has no intention of doing anything about this.

Lu 20/04/2013 at 8:59 am

My neighbour was fine until a few months ago, her dog is caged up barking all day, when she is home her music or tv is on excessively loud till 11.30 at night!! We also get woken up at rediculous times of the morning by her having a go at her poor little bot for waking up.It's getting beyond a joke, my 4 year old isn't able to sleep and neither is myself or husband, I'm keeping a diary and recording some of the excessive noise, but any suggestions now before we do something we will regret

Arzso 03/12/2012 at 10:23 pm

My neighbour had there sewage pipe broken and flooded their house.the owner is an estate agent, and the house now is empty.due to the leek, in our front room the wall is damp all the way on one side up to about 1meter.we have talked to the landlord, and at the beginning he seemed cooperative, but it has been 2 months now and he's done nothing and now he is avoiding our calls.we got through to him once last week and he said that our insurance company should sort it out for us, but as no pipes goes on that side in our house they know the damp is from next door, therefore they said he needs to sort it out.
Where can we get help in this case if he is still not willing to pay?
Many thanks for your advice in advance

deevaweeva 26/06/2012 at 4:51 pm

The house next door to us has been rented out through an estate agent for about the last 5 years. We are constantely having problems with their fencing with is broken the whole length of the garden, also when windy it hits our conservatory. Also the front drive fencing there is only 1 out of 3 panels up.I have contacted the estate agent on several occasions (and sent emails) and STILL nothing has been done. What can we do.ps the front drive and garden which is paved is totally overgrown, has never been touched in the time the people have lived there.

david 21/05/2012 at 2:40 pm

My neighbour is growing trees and bushes on the shared driveway, they are not on his land, they are in the tarmac drive. They are restricting access on the drive and are breaking up the tarmac. I have asked him to cut them down, he said no. What can I do? Do I have a legal right to cut them down or threaten to?

Cavaliers 15/04/2012 at 6:16 pm

The end to the tale with our neighbour dispute was to run as far and as fast as we could. The Police did not help us, even when the neighbour jumped into our garden to assault my daughter in law.The council did nothing to help either and, as all four of us are disabled, we had no choice but to run. It has cost us over £50,000 as we had to sell our house to a property company as quickly as possible. We have been left with nothing, we couldn't even take our furniture.

Mike 25/10/2011 at 9:36 pm

I am a tenant, the neighbour next door is one from hell but the landlord defends them although given evidence they are breaking their agreement with that landlord. What option is left open to me.

julie 19/09/2011 at 3:13 pm

My neighbour has taken some of my land off my back garden, by putting a back gate on the side of his garage. When I put new fencing up I've had to tapper the end of my garden for it to fit. I've had a Surveyors report done that was in my favour and have given neighbour a copy with covering letter, I've have had no reply. What to do next?

Cavaliers 25/06/2011 at 9:15 am

We moved into our home in 1997 and from the first day we had neighbour problems. Your site has given me answers to many questions but I still have a problem as the telephone calls and emails to our Beat Officer are being repeated to our neighbour who has threaten violence and has also jumped the fence to commit violence. As we are all disabled, where do we go for help?

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