Dealing with Environmental Nuisances Caused by Neighbours

Originally written by Jeff Durham, updated by the editorial team on 19th May 2026

Environmental nuisances and why they matter

Graffiti, fly-posting, fly-tipping and abandoned vehicles can drag down a neighbourhood surprisingly quickly. Once one problem appears and goes unaddressed, it tends to attract more of the same.

These are not just annoyances. They are criminal offences under UK law, and local authorities have powers to tackle them. If you are dealing with any of these problems near your home, there are practical steps you can take to get them resolved.

The responsibility for addressing environmental nuisances usually falls on your local council, though in some cases the police or other agencies may be involved. Understanding who handles what can save you time and frustration.

Graffiti and fly-posting

Graffiti covers any words, drawings or marks that have been painted, scratched, sprayed or written onto a surface without permission. This includes tagging, offensive images, and scratched etchings on glass. Fly-posting refers to posters or advertisements stuck onto buildings, lamp posts, walls or other surfaces without the consent of the property owner or local authority.

Both are criminal offences. Under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, local authorities and police can issue fixed penalty notices to offenders. For persistent or serious cases, prosecution through the magistrates court is possible, which can result in fines or other penalties. However, enforcement varies significantly between councils depending on their resources and priorities. Current fixed penalty rates and maximum fines change over time, so check GOV.UK for the latest figures.

If you spot graffiti or fly-posting in your area, report it to your local council. Most councils have online reporting forms that let you upload photos and pinpoint the exact location. When photographing the problem, capture close-up shots showing detail alongside wider shots that show the location in context. Include any nearby landmarks or street signs that help identify the spot, and note the date and time of your report.

The council will then arrange for removal, though timescales vary depending on the nature of the material and available resources. Offensive or racist graffiti is usually prioritised for faster removal.

Property owners are generally responsible for removing graffiti from their own buildings, but councils often offer free or subsidised removal services, particularly for residential properties. Some areas have volunteer schemes or community clean-up programmes that can help.

If the graffiti or fly-posting is on council property such as bus shelters, lamp posts or public buildings, the council should remove it directly once reported.

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Fly-tipping and dumped rubbish

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste on land that is not licensed to receive it. This can range from a few bin bags left on a grass verge to large-scale dumping of construction rubble or hazardous materials. It is a serious offence that can result in unlimited fines or even imprisonment for the worst cases.

Councils have a duty to clear fly-tipped waste from public land, though resource constraints mean this does not always happen quickly. They can also investigate to identify those responsible. If you witness fly-tipping or find dumped waste, report it to your council with as much detail as possible. Note the location, describe what has been dumped, and include any evidence such as photographs or vehicle registration numbers if you saw the dumping take place. Do not touch or search through the waste yourself, as it may contain hazardous materials.

On private land, the responsibility for clearing fly-tipped waste falls on the landowner. Councils may provide advice but are generally not obliged to assist with removal or enforcement unless there are environmental health risks. Some councils choose to offer more help at their discretion, so it is worth asking.

If fly-tipping is a recurring problem in your area, your council may be able to install warning signs, CCTV or barriers to deter offenders. Persistent hotspots can sometimes be referred to the Environment Agency, which has additional enforcement powers for larger scale or commercial fly-tipping.

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

Abandoned and burnt-out vehicles

An abandoned vehicle is one that appears to have been left with no intention of the owner returning for it. Signs include missing number plates, flat tyres, broken windows, or visible damage suggesting the vehicle has been set alight.

Local councils are responsible for removing abandoned vehicles from public roads and council land. You can report an abandoned vehicle to your council, usually through their website. You will typically need to provide the vehicle's location, a description, and the registration number if it is still visible.

Before removing any vehicle, the council must make reasonable inquiries about ownership. This involves checking with the DVLA to confirm the vehicle's status rather than relying solely on a visual inspection. Once confirmed as abandoned, the council will arrange removal, though there is usually a waiting period to give any owner the chance to reclaim it. Vehicles on private land are the responsibility of the landowner, though councils may be able to advise.

If a vehicle appears to be stolen or involved in a crime, report it to the police directly rather than the council.

When the council does not act

If your council is slow to respond or fails to address environmental nuisances despite your reports, you have several options. Start with the council's own complaints process. If that does not resolve the matter, you can escalate to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

You might also contact your local councillor directly, as they can sometimes prompt action on persistent problems. Joining or forming a residents' group can add weight to complaints and help coordinate reporting. Some communities have successfully campaigned for better enforcement by documenting problems systematically over time and presenting the evidence to council meetings.

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 →

178 questions

Ask Problem Neighbours a Question

ProblemNeighbours Editor 25/05/2026 at 6:56 pm

@Rani Honestly, we wouldn't know the specifics of what's happened on Wentworth Road. The council usually clears flytipping or rubbish piles after a resident reports it, or as part of scheduled street cleaning. Your best bet is to ring the local council directly and ask, or check their online reports map if they have one. If it was your rubbish that got taken by mistake, the waste team should be able to tell you why. Worth asking neighbours too, someone nearby may have logged a complaint.

Rani 25/05/2026 at 1:36 pm

Why has the council removed the rubbish on wentworth road?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 17/05/2026 at 1:32 pm

@S That sounds genuinely awful, and you've done all the right things by keeping diaries and recordings. Since Southwark are dragging their feet, lodge a formal complaint against the council itself, then escalate to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman once their internal process is exhausted. The laminate flooring breach is likely a tenancy or lease condition, so contact her landlord or the freeholder directly with your evidence. For the trespass and flooding damage, that's a separate civil matter and worth a chat with Citizens Advice or a solicitor.

S 20/01/2024 at 9:56 am

Noisy neighbours that moved in above me in converted property, laid laminate flooring throughout her property, which I know is not allowed as a previous tenet was asked to pull it up when he had it just in the bedroom. (Council issued this)
Constant running up and down, jumping off stairs onto my ceiling throwing large objects on to the ceiling this goes onto 1am at times.
I have diary’s, recordings and emails to show but Southwark council refuse to do anything but ask my neighbour to lay a rug.
My neighbour also has trespassed on to my property and left her rubbish covering my bay windows, flooded my property damaging my furnishings
This is seriously effecting my mental health.
I’ve complained to every person possibly.. what can I do??

Jonesy 02/11/2023 at 2:55 pm

MY ORIGINAL POST CUT OFF THE END OF MY MESSAGE, I ASSUME BECAUSE IT WAS TOO LENGTHY. HERE IS THE END OF THAT MESSAGE:-

This country claims to act on reports of antisocial behaviour swiftly, but in actual fact they seem to protect the perpetrators more than the victims. I'm trying not to cry because I feel so pathetic, but the tension the exhaustion has ground me down so my friends and family don't recognise me,with how thin and drawn I appear. The police, the council, the agencies don't appear to care or make matters worse. I want say something that can be used against me but if the authorities can't help you shouldn't be landed in trouble for reacting to bullies who make you life unbearable. If I had a gun I'd probably kill myself, because it's gotten to that level of suffering.

Jonesy 02/11/2023 at 2:16 pm

I live on the fouth floor (which is the top floor) of a flats building, and beneath me are the "neighbours from hell", the flat they occupy is intended for the maximum of two occupants, but it's being used for up six occupants (which I believe are illegal immigrants) who work in shifts for taxi firm. Their idea of fun is knocking my bedroom room wall beneath me, which sounds right next to my head, every time I fall asleep, because there is always several people awake at every hour of everyday. I reported a noise diary to the council/environmental office to absolutely no avail, although they did say they sent my neighbours a letter, which I assume they knew it was from me, and have increased the noise. I have broken down in tears I'm ashamed to say, after I've been awake for days on end, and my eyes are black underneath, puffy and red. I've tried drinking vodka to cope, and I am prescribed valium by my doctor but nothing seems to help. A few days ago my temper got the better of me and I went and knocked the neighbours door which isn't the first time but they never answer, and this time I booted the door and still got no answer. I'm not an aggressive person. These neighbours press my intercom buzzer which is loud when they go out for their shifts at 2am, 7am etc, in addition to the constant wall banging. Things will probably get worse before it gets better, and I agree with the majority of the comments on here...you can't win against these people and the harder you try you are likely to become the criminal. I've resorted to buying strong tablets off the Internet which for the most part knock me out for several hours but I'm ashamed and angry I am having to resort to such measures, I don't want to be addicted to tablets or alcohol because of harassment by neighbours, but I have a heart condition and suffer with panic attacks /anxiety, and the doctor told me my blood pressure and pulse is high and have been prescribed heart medication. Frankly I have to do something before these excuse for human beings kill me indirectly. My electric meter can be accessed from outside my flat, and boost mode can be initiated causing my electric bill to be increased, and now my neighbour are doing that, and I'm yet to catch them in the act, because I could then take a photo, and secure evidence, but even then it wouldn't actually be of the neighbour in the act of a criminal act, and even if I witness him, apparently the police wouldn't act, because this would be my word against his. One thing is for sure these neighbours don't won't to be identified, and I can't positively identify the various immigrants that live there, which means they have something to hide and I intend to wait outside they flat and take their photo. As I say I've reported all of the above to the council and environmental office, as well as the electric company about my meter being tempered with and they will not do anything to come and secure it in someway. This country claims to

Poppy 27/02/2023 at 10:31 am

The people who live behind us are throwing rubbish over our fence. I have reported it to the council and environmental health but they don't seem to be interested. I'm fuming. There is all kinds including a paint tin. And I'm worried about my cat getting hurt. Short of throwing the rubbish back over, which might cause more problems. I don't know what to do. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you. ?? poppy

Christine 12/11/2022 at 3:40 pm

Hi I know how you feel. We got tentants who moved down from London. our agency put these tentants in the middle flat. A women and her boyfriend got a 6 month old baby boy and a kitten. these couple is on drugs selling drugs in the house to their friends. Now her boyfriend is dumping their rubbish outside my husband Garage. Since September. Nappies house hold rubbish very where. Today I saw him doing it. He didn't care or he did was mouthing off to his girlfriend. came back from the shops booting our flat door. That been going on since 3 months. The tentants threatening us. We get mouth of abuse and Harassment. My PC officer advise me I should get because I am now vulnerable to these tentants in my house. Council won't help us because our flat is private. I sit in my bathroom crying no one will help us. These tentants in 12 B Victoria place are evil and tentants from hell. I don't wish on anyone living in the house 12 Victoria place stoke Plymouth. Our house needs a drug raid. It been cause by 2 men who lived in 12 B and 12 C. Putting lies and rumors about me and my husband that wasn't true. Even 12 B friends giving us a hard time.

jimbo 06/10/2022 at 2:22 pm

My daughters neighbour has startedtodump rubbish down the side of our houses I spoke to them but they only dumped more, what can she do?

Ian 19/08/2022 at 9:25 pm

Hi
My neighbour has repeatedly used herbicides. The spray drift is killing our flowers ( they don't garden, but blitz the ground when it becomes a jungle)
Any advice
We have offered to weed the fence area, to minimise drift.
The next door neighbour is an old lady, so she might be employing people to do this.
Thanks

Sandra 04/08/2022 at 3:37 am

There was a leak from my flat from the to freeholder room, she turned my water supply off without telling me . What can I do

Dark horse 23/06/2022 at 1:55 pm

For the past 15 plus year my neighbour of derelict farm. Which he doesn’t live in. Uses his land as a tip for cars and agricultural equipment and Dug pits with his on-site digger to bury allsorts. The land is completely overgrown and unusable by the agricultural industry.

The local council has been informed on various occasions but nothing has ever been done Effectively.
The local council the county council environmental health, no one appears to be concerned, any advice?

RVWilks 29/04/2022 at 4:29 pm

Our neighbour asked permission to "scatter" topsoil from her rear garden works in the shared access behind several neighbours rear gardens, including ours.
However, now that the works have taken place, what has happened is the relaying of the entire square footage of her rear garden into a narrow space behind two properties which sit 3 and four doors away from her property.
The result of this work is to raise the level of the access by some 3 inches for affected properties. Our property remains unaffected, except that our 6 foot fence is now 5 feet 9 inches on the exterior. Our elderly neighbour, however, has a rear gate onto the access which she uses for her wheely bins. She will be affected by this change in level, as will other properties whose rear gate opens directly into the shared access.
This is not what we agreed to and we want it put back as it was, now that she has taken advantage of our initial agreement.
We also feel that this raising of the level makes the rear of our properties more vulnerable as it effectively reduces the height of our boundary fences.
What, legally, if anything can residents of affected properties do?

Nad 04/09/2021 at 6:19 pm

We have just had new neighbours moved in and straightaway they have been causing nuisance, allowing children to run around screaming, shouting, slamming doors. Tried to ask nicely two times if they could keep the noise down and met with a hostile mother who basically refused and started throwing around false accusations about us as a family. We previously met her once before moving in as one of the neighbours knew her and wanted us to meet as they were moving in soon. So we’re guessing their friend was the one telling her false information. Anyway, the neighbour phoned our housing officer and got told to be welcoming and draw a line under it. I feel like getting the council involved is the next step but I feel that’s going to be a waste too. Anybody else been in this situation before and what was the outcome?

Dave 22/07/2021 at 3:43 pm

Our neighbours have become a real nuisance.When they first moved in they seemed ok though asked to use our internet for a few days which I thought was cheeky.
As months gone on they have become progressively noisy.They allow their screaming kids to run around the house,banging and slamming doors early in the morning waking us up.We are healthcare workers,we work full time and really don't appreciate being woken up early in the morning by those people next door
I believe they are dealing drugs,the mother is very unpleasant and the dad aggressive.After months of this constant noise I had had enough I put letter through their door
Next thing she's threatening police and breaching my privacy by filming me.There was no sorry just aggressive behaviour.Any advice would be appreciated

Nuttydoctor 08/07/2021 at 3:29 pm

I live on first floor flat and one other occupier downstairs the land around the property is meant to be communal, The downstairs flat occupier is filled the whole area up with vehicles and practically blocked all entrance I have four young children and he is aggressive and threatening also racist every I go out or come back, I’m scared a single parent and vulnerable. I don’t have any money, I live in Bournemouth can anyone advise my neighbours name is Ken sheldrake and he claims to be a goon. I have young kids and am scared for them.

Tired 14/04/2021 at 9:43 am

Hi my neighbours moved in next door in August last year. At first they were fine but now the noise at night is getting so bad. They have a girl of 7 who is allowed to run around screaming at full volume in the house and garden sometimes as late as 1130pm doors slamming TV on full blast they constantly row which makes him drive off but return a short time later with the music blasting out of his car while he sits there and has a cigarette. I know we’ve have all been through dreadful times lately I have tried to speak to them as I still have to work and am tired. I sometimes only get 5-6 hours sleep I work in healthcare and I need to feel my home is somewhere I can rest. I’ve asked the housing association but they have said I’ve just got to tolerate it . Is it worth reporting to council ? Will anyone do anything?

Archie 05/04/2021 at 9:35 pm

I moved into a terrace cottage which has a easement access on both my deeds and land registration my neighbor has blocked both gates which prevent me from having my gas bottles / cess put emptied lawn movers wheeled through to cut my front garden ms grass he said it should not be on there . What can l do

Coconutty 29/03/2021 at 2:41 pm

Our neighbour on the one side have an overgrown untouched garden which their fence panels keep falling into our garden. On top of this they also don’t put ahh of their food waste in their bins, they leave it outside on the floor, tables, chairs. It’s disgusting, and unhygienic and it’s causing a fowl smell and probably is attracting vermin. (This has been going on for the 2 years we’ve lived here, they don’t get rid of anything!) She has recently lost her mother who also used to live there. Any tips on how to ask her nicely to get her to clean and tidy her garden as soon as possible? Every time we go to ask she avoids us.

Hector 25/03/2021 at 5:43 pm

My brother is having trouble with his neighbour who is building 5 detached houses in his own garden, the builders have dumped 150 tonnes of top soil in the field at the back of my brothers house, it is blocking his view and causing him great distress and suicidal thoughts, we think this is a total disgrace, is there anything that can be done.

Tb69 23/03/2021 at 12:48 pm

Could anyone advise. A welding company which backs onto our properties has never given issues until lockdown. They have cut down trees on their land which blocked their unsightly buildings. They have now decided to clear the front of their building piling soil, tyres, rubbish, girders and old cars right behind our properties. Piled so high it the “mountain of waste” is now visible over our fences. We have asked them to stop and written to them. All contact ignored. All 6 properties are at our wits end. Any advice would be appreciated- we are waiting for Environmental Health to visit but they seem to be dragging their feet.

Chris 24/01/2021 at 7:29 am

I am one owner of three who share a car park in front of our houses. The third owners rent their house. Their tenant has dumped six big white bags ( the sort building companies put sand, cement in) full of waste from his past home improvement business or. Waste astro turf, packaging, tools etc. Myself and the other owner have both individually asked him when he's moving it and it has told us both 'within the next two weeks'. It has now been there six months. It is against the fence I own and the communial one. I have spoken to the owners but obviously nothing has been done about it! I paint the fences and lines and numbers on the car park, and jet wash paths etc every spring. I don't think I'm being unreasonable but I am getting no help. Environmental health said it's a civil matter and I could go through small claims court. I don't have that sort of money, I am disabled. Any advise please?

Bre 29/12/2020 at 1:28 am

I have people living next to me and my son, who is autistic, that have found ways to increasingly harass us. They have advanced from temporarily affecting the air in our home with a toxic substance to daily ingestion of gas or oil mixed with an fine powder that leaves a greasy dry feel on everything. We are eating, breathing, and sleeping with this substance. I have a new furnace and central air in our home with air ducts cleaned recently and everything related to clean air found in my home. Nothing was found failing, deteriorating, or damaged. I have this substance all over my home now. My son and I just moved back home after being out due to a fire for 2 months. This attack started about a month after moving back in. My son nor I deserve to be poisoned in our own home because this "it" next door (definitely not a neighbor) has a problem with me. Who can help me draw out & expose this criminal?

Ron 24/12/2020 at 1:35 pm

We have been suffering from ASB, Harassment fro 6 years from upstairs neighbour including Loud music drug use Verbal abuse

Dave 29/11/2020 at 6:19 pm

I'm really glad I don't live near you, so you can't snoop in my bin. PS of course you can recycle tissue. Busybody.@jaye

JayeJaye 09/11/2020 at 8:51 pm

We have new neighbours that have moved in recently and live in the flat above us in our block. Basically we came back from food shopping yesterday and found bin bags stuffed full of recyclable waste and if that wasn't bad enough, used nappies. Oh, and in a carrier bag full of so-called recyclables - used TISSUES! Like, how is that recyclable?

I cautiously opened one bin bag to find dirty nappies in that and a swarm of flies came out! No one should have to encounter this, pandemic or not, but we don't know what viruses or pathogens could be lurking within dirty nappies! I even SLIPPED on one of them when wheeling the bins out onto the pavement ready for collection and there was excrement from them on my clothes! Disgusting! Absolute PIGS! Not fit to be called HUMANS in my book!

Apparently one of the residents who had dumped this waste outside - shock horror, is a NURSE or training to be one! I sure wouldn't like to be treated or looked after by HIM, I can tell you that.

The other resident came out as I came in, said hi to her - completely blanked me. How did people like that come to be able to save up for and purchase property that they are not fit for? They are VILE!

Hong kong 04/11/2020 at 10:08 pm

I have 2 neighbours who have lots of rubbish on the street. Sofa, large fridge freezer.rubble toilet bowl, paving slabs general rubbish. Has been ther 2 months.imts normally a nice street. Disgusting.

Sputnik 17/10/2020 at 8:13 am

We live in a block of council flats and relatives of the the flat below continues to dump rubbish in communal bins leaving them full for no one in the flats to use. Is this classed as fly tipping due to the rubbish being put into a bin and not the side of the road? The same people dumped animal carcas and remains in clear bags prior to this. which had to be removed desposed of and replaced with a entire new bin. The entire block of flats then get charged a yearly fee for bulky waste and services of extra waste removal all by someone that doesn't live in the flats. Council have been informed but nothing ever gets done about it.

Muppetbanjo 09/10/2020 at 2:44 pm

I have a neighbour dumping wood into my garden, I know where it’s came from, should I put it back to where I seen it?

Paul 16/09/2020 at 8:18 pm

Neighbor leaving waste bin with too full and not closed , waste flying everywhere.what to do and whom to inform

Unknown 10/09/2020 at 7:44 pm

My next door neighbour who we are not friends with has dumped a Material on are side of the shared drive way they have purposely done this we have proff on the ctv we have with there face shown that they have put it there should we report it to the cops and is this allowed?

Fed up 30/08/2020 at 12:30 pm

My next door neighbours have been putting all their rubbish behind my shed in my garden. I am in housing association property. They have done this before and the HA asked them to stop doing it. I paid someone to clear behind it. I spoke to the family behind my house yesterday who said they'd seen my neighbour dumping again, and there's a mattress behind there now.
The previous tenant had built two sheds at the bottom of my garden across the width, so cannot get behind them at all. The only reason I managed to get it cleared last time is that the family behind me were changing their fence. I have only just become on speaking terms with my neighbours after the previous time, so I feel really disgusted and upset they are still doing this. What can I do?

Brittany 24/08/2020 at 11:07 pm

Opposite us communualbins which is behind my wall in my back garden. First the smell coming from the bins means we cant sit in our own Garden as the smell makes us feel sick, we sat in our Conservatory today with the window open and again the smell meant we had to close the window. I have 2 Kids who normally stay in the garden for most of the day but they don’t want to go outside anymore saying the smell is to bad. Secondly we are getting rubbish thrown over our wall exactly where the bins are so it looks like people are throwing rubbish into the bin and missing which means it comes in our garden. One of my kids is nearly 2 and we are also scared of him picking up the waste in case it is something sharp or worse already contct with councel they said private company they have so i dont know wht to so

Goink 10/08/2020 at 11:37 am

My neighbour has on several occasions thrown half eaten fruit onto my property. Some has hit my car on the front drive and some has landed on my patio at the rear.

Jacques 26/07/2020 at 1:09 am

One of my neighbours apparently just leaves bin bags full of rubbish, and cardboard boxes on their doorstep. This is in an apartment block and the common area now smells quite bad, and there has been an outbreak of fruit flies.

Who do I contact about this? I am afraid there will be worse outbreaks, mice for example, also the smell is unbearable, it looks like there is months' worth of used tampons inside one of the bags.

Lou 25/07/2020 at 8:26 pm

We have realised today our neighbour at the end of our garden has been dumping Thier waste behind our shed on my side of the fence . The reason we were up there is cause the bottom of the shed has rotted away . We now realise the it is due the waste that has mounted up behind it . Garden waste that has formed in to soil am I within my rights to demand he move it ? I didnt put it there so do not feel I should be clearing it out . Also pretty annoyed about the damage it has caused to our shed

Vexed 14/07/2020 at 7:15 pm

My neighbour uses the land at the back of my house as their personal dumping ground, its a shared access area part of which my land but is not big enough to use because of the access issue. Is there anything I can do about the dumping?

Pepsi 12/07/2020 at 8:57 pm

Last 2 wkend my neighbours keep throwing eggs over the wall into my yard

Annie 09/07/2020 at 10:56 am

Neighbour is retired has kept a trailer at side of his house for over 20 years. He cant see it. It is my view from all my front windows and seen by everyone who visits me.
It is constantly overflowing and a complete eyesore. He only empties it when he basically cannot squeeze any more in.
He has now added a boat to his collection!!
Can I do anything about this? Our rates are £1700 a year.
They are both "professional" people who obviously dont give a damm about their neighbours.

Jaqjaq 29/06/2020 at 4:23 pm

My problem is my neighbour has dumped rubbish in there garden for years. They have Piles of household waste, a mattress Stuffed near my back door which smells horrendous, dog waste they scrape into a corner. They rarely bother to put out there bins for collection so the front garden is piled up too.
Rats are a regular visitor but the flies at the moment are unbearable.
I complained to the housing association I rent from 2 years ago and they have done nothing. Who else can I complain to?

Angry 24/06/2020 at 8:48 am

My neighbours have dumped their garden waste and wood/plasticbetc in our garden and created hills out of soil from their garden left overs in ours. Is this illegal??

Annoyed 22/06/2020 at 2:16 pm

My neighbour has had her drive cleaned it has left a mess of sand and mud outside my house on pavement and in the gutter. Is there anyone I can complain to ? No good asking her as she is neighbour from hell long as her side is ok she doesn’t give dam about anybody.

Annoyed 22/06/2020 at 2:13 pm

My neighbour has had her drive cleaned it has left sand and mud on the path and gutter at front of my house is there anyone I could report this to. No good saying anything to her as she is a neighbour from hell long as her property is ok .

Bored 15/06/2020 at 7:15 am

I have a neighbour that has dumped rubbish in my garden I believe to try and provoke me, is this fly tipping and what would be the fine for this??

Hanzie 09/06/2020 at 8:25 pm

We have a neighbour that's constantly using the access for moving bins which is causing damage to our property he does have room outside his front where bins could be kept like all our other neighbours do. I'd just like some advice please.
Thank you

Loulou 01/12/2019 at 11:44 am

I live in houses converted into flats above shops, in the ground floor flat. There's about 7 people living in the 2bed flat above me.

They don't speak any English and they've been consistently dumping household waste on the flat roof below my bedroom window.
There's rats and mice everywhere, it's disgusting. I'm too scared to approach them about this as it's all men. Are they allowed to do this? None of them appear to work, I've been on holiday from work so was indoors for a week, no one up there goes to work and there's someone there 24, 7.
I'm at my wits end over this, it's doing my head in!

JVR 30/11/2019 at 4:38 pm

My problems mild compared to the comments I've read here but I live in a converted house with two flats. I share two general waste bins and one recycling bin with my neighbours in the building which get taken biweekly. My neighbours are wasteful. Both of the gen waste bins are full a few days in, which means by the time the bins are collected, the bags are piled up next. We're lucky our bin men just take them. But the recycling bin is a state. They throw whatever in there which means I'm cleaning it out every other day, and even when I do, they manage to get that last bit in there before the recycling men come, which means our bins don't get taken. I've spoken to the council who says it's up to our landlord to deal with them but he refuses to. And the neighbours aren't nice, the don't like being told if they can't do something so dealing with them for me is impossible, it makes it worst. I'm tired of getting my clothes and self filthy digging out their rubbish from the recycling bin. So what can I do?

Bobby 23/11/2019 at 8:27 pm

My neighbour has taken to storing piles of his household rubbish on his property boundary but right under the only opening window of my living room. If open the window just get smell of rotting rubbish. I have seen rats on the rubbish pile in daylight! He is an unapproachable idiot we have found. What can I do?

Lainey 15/10/2019 at 4:54 pm

Hi, we live in a block of 6 flats, new tenants have moved in. The ground floor flats have a large front garden each and the other 4 flats have a communal garden at the rear. My elderly neighbour had paid for part of the garden to be made into a patio, with a beautiful raised garden and she had bought a bench so she could sit outside and enjoy it. The new tenant has broken up her bench without permission. This new tenant is a bully and had done a number of things which has upset the rest of the tenants. Can we charge him with vandalism?

buglet 27/08/2019 at 11:36 am

We have a neighbour about 1/8th mile away, and he is renovating a large house which is fine. What isn't fine is he is dumping contruction rubble and rubbsih onto a piece of wasteland between our houses (neither of us own it...a local farmer does) and having his workers park there. This is of course, once my husband and I cleared out the bricks/metal, etc flytipped there. And, we have to stare at it. I understand he is working on the parking area, so the cars I can take temporarily. But the pile of rubble is 8 feet high and growing I've asked politely six months ago, when is that going to be taken away...oh, he says, I've taken away 80 tons of rubbish so far out of my garden. Right, but what about this pile here. Oh, I'll take it away once it is a wagon full. Believe me, it is more than a wagon full. I'm just sick of it.

HBM45 28/06/2019 at 12:56 pm

Hello there, I’m a house owner and in our neighbourhood of terrace house we have alleyway at the back, and everyone has access to it . I always clean my side of weeds and making it nice and tidy like the others do but after cleaning there’s always someone who will dump their rubbish on my side. I don’t know who it was. Pieces of wood, metals, pvc and plastics. I’m getting fed up with this, before I can tolerate and just clean it but that was when we were new in the area but as time goes. There’s always some pieces being dumped. Just can’t pinpoint and very scared to ask them. This happened again yesterday. Need help and advice please. What to do and can I report this ? Is it fly tipping?
HBM45

Thorncraft 26/06/2019 at 9:01 am

I live in a flat and have one of those old bricked off sections in the garden that used to be for all the wheelie bins before they were taken away and replaced with street dumpsters. One of out neighbours have decided this is the best place to discard their unwanted bulk rubbish like a bed, mattress, and buggy. I am very afraid of confrontation and do not want to go up to them face to face about this issue. Is there a way to get it reported as it is a shared garden space?

Stressed Sue 21/04/2019 at 8:15 pm

The land at the side and rear of our property (beyond our enclosed garden) is very untidy, and resembles a scrap yard.
There are 5 abandoned vehicles which have not moved for over 10 years, and have just been left to rot.
There are 3 truck body containers which are in a dilapidated state.
We live in a beautiful rural area, and the land is visible from the road, for everyone passing to see.
Beyond this area, there is a field, (which I am guessing is green belt land) the field sits directly behind our garden fence, this field is also owned by the same person.
He has abandoned 2 high sided vans in the field, one has been there more than 5 years.
And another van has been dumped recently, this one is about 8ft from our garden fence, and has been left in an elevated position, (hill incline) which makes it more visible and it has totally taken our view from Our garden and house.
He has done this intentionally, He has said in the past that it is His land, and He can do what He likes with it.
Surely, He shouldn’t be allowed to leave vehicles to rot, whilst blocking Our view, intentionally.

Worried 28/03/2019 at 12:27 am

Question We have moved onto paying for garden waste to be collected. On day of collection I found someone had put garden waste in a black bag in my dustbin. I assumed it was next door so took it out and put it at the side of their gateway. For a couple of days it moved between us. Came home and it was in my gateway. I took it to the local recycling and left my neighbour a note saying this was not my rubbish and I had disposed of it also do not put bags in the brown bin.
My neighbour returned my note stating the bags were not hers and if I go near her car again she will take her web cam to the police when I am caught scratching her bonnet.I have never been near her car.Where do I stand?

Lin54 10/03/2019 at 6:21 pm

I have a young neighbour with his own gas company. Most of the people living in the cul de sac have lived here since the houses were built around 25 years ago. This person has lived next door for the last 3 years and has made ours and others lives a misery. He has company vans arriving early morning banging doors. He has blocked the pavement with rubble and although his drive is the biggest on the estate with parking for around 4 cars, he still parks on the pavement. We have had words with him several times, he is noisy, arrogant and obnoxious. Our neighbour opposite has been in tears several times. She lives on her own and the lights he has all over the front of his house shine right into her bedroom. He has, of course, a hot tub which is noisy and a noisy jet wash which he has used as late as 10.45pm. He has threatened us and although we cannot point the finger (not allowed without concrete evidence) last summer our lovely car was sprayed with yellow paint in the middle of the night. He has a very volatile friend who did some work for us (badly) and he has also made our life a misery by parking his old noisy van outside our house when actually working somewhere else. The police know all of this, we reported our concerns a long time ago and they did nothing. We knew it was a matter of time before something did happen and when the car was spray painted the police still weren't very helpful. We now live with security lights and CCTV - something I never thought I would have to do. My husband and myself are in our 60's and our lives and the way we live has changed wondering what is going to happen next. A bag of empty McDonalds cartons was thrown into our front garden last week and today I found an empty beer bottle on the lawn. We have always wanted to grow old in this house but now I don't know, we don't feel safe anymore.

Jeggin 03/12/2018 at 2:38 pm

We all live a Mabws bridge caravan park Mathry Haverfordwest and one of neighbours has starterd dumping rubbish over this year in her garden and no matter what anybody says or does nothing is getting done to remove it or stop it. The mound is getting bigger and more stinks and this is causing rats etc. When we do complain we are just given excuse after excuse why the site manager and site owners will not make them move there stinking rubbish.

PM 29/10/2018 at 10:53 am

We have wasteland to the back of our property which is overgrown and is a breading ground for vermin which tend to find their way into my garden, even when the children are playing. I have tried for years to find out who owned the land via the council, land registry neighbours etc. to no avail. My 2 year old grand daughter had a close encounter with a rat in our garden, it was only the vigilance of her mother than stopped any damage being done

I decided after this incident do something about the land, i.e clean it up at my own expense, I have cleared away the waste, stripped the land and am now in the process of adding top soil, the owner of the land has suddenly appeared enquiring about what we are doing, so we explained.

if he decides to prosecute, what rights do I have?

Gemgall 02/09/2018 at 10:49 am

Hi. My neighbour has been doing work in his garden. I've now witnessed him sweeping the rubbish all up afterwards, then sweeping the street out the front and throwing buckets of rubbish into a part of our side garden. This is separate from our main garden but is still within our boundaries at the side of our house. It has a fence around to make it known it's owned and leads along to our driveway. What can be done about this? He's not very approachable. Is this fly tipping? Who can I contact? Obviously there's not a big pile of stuff to see as it will be under the bushes, but this is still out of order. We don't want his rubbish and street sweepings. How lazy not to simply put it in his own bin! Thanks.

Member100 16/08/2018 at 6:45 pm

Hello,

I live in a block of apartments in Birmingham city centre. There is a private car park for the building and there is some neighbour that keeps dumping rubbish bags by the building's door which leads to the car park.

This is obviously not the designated place to place the rubbish bags and even though other neighbours and the building's management company have placed warning messages on the wall stating that the action of dumbing rubbish in that area is not allowed, this issue keeps happening.

There is a CCTV camera inside the building that is looking at the door which leads to the car park and I have already asked the management company to look at the footage to try and find whoever keeps doing this.

What other actions can I take? Could I request the CCTV footage and look at it myself? Can I report this to the police?

Many thanks,

Ander.

Gill 30/05/2018 at 3:20 pm

Hi, is it considered fly-tipping when your neighbour dumps grass sod on your private drive, when he is cutting his hedge and has garden waste bags available.

Lola 24/05/2018 at 12:42 pm

For months now the local road sweepers have been dumping atleast 3 bags of rubbish up against the side of my house (I live end of the street), we have previously had issues with rats and mice in the area which have been reported to the council, these rubbish bags are dumped there every week the day after rubbish collection and sit there for 6 days when rubbish is collected again, last week one of these bags had sharp pieces of wood sticking out and often cats and foxes urinate on these bags making a horrendous smell and today they've splattered my car in dirt. We also have a large tree in our garden which my partner cuts down so it doesn't overhang onto the pavement in the street, the council turned up and jumped into our garden (destroyed the trellis along my wall) and cut alot of the branches down, practically stripping the tree and reducing our privacy. Surely they can't just enter my property and do as they please? What options do I have regarding the dumping of their rubbish bags?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 21/05/2018 at 12:00 pm

Contact the landowner of the "private land"? They will be able to take action against your neighbour.

Lubbie 19/05/2018 at 2:33 pm

Have neighbours next door who dump their garden waste over their fence onto private land behind our garden. It's an eyesore. Who do I contact to stop them doing this?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 09/05/2018 at 11:27 am

Check with your landlord to be sure, but there aren't any rules about smoking in one's own garden just yet, as far as we are aware. Maybe just try and ignore your neighbour. If it becomes too much drop a note round and politely request that your neighbour allows you some privacy when in your garden.

Olivia 08/05/2018 at 12:54 pm

Hi, we live in a semidetached house and there is tall fence between us and our neighbour. We don't share a driveway or a garden. But for some reason she is keep telling me what to do in my garden, for example she told me to not smoke in front of my back door. This is second time when she is doing this. I didn't know that I'm supose to have a smoking designated area in the garden that I am paying 2000 pounds rent per month! Thank you for your response

Craglius 06/05/2018 at 5:51 am

I have a shared access area with my neighbour known as an entry. It is to gain access to the rear of my property via the front of the property. For some time now my neighbour has been dumping his rubbish in there. I had polite conversations with him telling him how it prevented me gaining access to my property, attracted vermin and was a potential fire risk if somebody decided to set it on fire. He kept promising he would deal with it but never did. Over 4 months of frequent conversations and reminders with failed promises each time. So I offered to help him clear it... knowing that he was having a difficult time after his wife had passed away about a year ago, didn't have a car to take it to local household rubbish site and I did. He agreed to help me load the car but in reality I did most of the work as he had given up and gone inside. I cleared all the rubbish and told him it needs to be kept clear moving forward as this had happened previously but on that occasion he had somehow got the council housing to clear up his property including the entry and rubbish in his garden and garage that he had created because he transferred tenancy due to his wife passing away.
About 3 months on and things are already things are starting creep back into the entry. On top of that, yesterday one of his friends dumped quite a bit of garden waste outside of my rear garage on my private land then had the audacity to tell my son who had caught him when returning his bike that he can get rid of it for £40 and gave him a leaflet of his business. My son did not realise what was happening at the time. In addition, my neighbour has discarded furniture and mattresses etc in his own garden.
I am at a loss of how to deal with this because I have been friendly about it but also firm and to the point later on. If I try to report fly tipping to the council they just point out that the rubbish is on private land and that it is my responsibility to move it if it is on my land.
He is a council tenant whereas I own my home. What can I do?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 25/04/2018 at 12:30 pm

This seems very strange. Is it likely that an animal could have brought these things in from someone's rubbish? Have you thought about a lock on your gate on the inside to see if it stops? That might be a bit impractical if you have post or other deliveries etc. CCTV?

Charly 23/04/2018 at 3:44 pm

Someone unsure of who is placing food tins on our front garden to entice animals to foul or for some other reason. We have found bits of rubbish which is fine but lately there was a half tin of sardines and today a whole tin of corned beef still in a open dangerous tin. It was obviously placed as ot was under a garden bench so it couldn't fall there We have been throwing it away. We do have a gate but it doesnt lock. What can we do? I am a little concerned for the animals really as you hear a lot about poisoning these days and I have a little dog.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 20/04/2018 at 2:46 pm

People can be so inconsiderate cant' they? Talk to your local MP, if this is in more than one area, it sounds like your council needs to be more proactive in fulfiling its duty. Is it the type of area where CCTV might be appropriate, could you suggest this?

Khug 18/04/2018 at 1:00 pm

I'm sick of the alley way behind my house. It is shared by 3 streets and many if the neighbours dump anything and everything in there. I've reported it 3 times now and every time the council clear it not even a few weeks later it's being used as a tip again. I'm not talking rubbish bags I'm talking car parts, mattresses, sofas, building rubble, mirrors and glass fixings that often smash.
I want to let my kids play there as they can't play out on the street with it being so busy.

I don't think anyone been fined ECT for it yet which I think will be the only deterrent. It's not just this alley way either, I walk my dog and nearly every one in the area is filling up with rubbish! I've seen rotten fruit all over one and broken furniture with mountains of bags. It's a wonder I've not seen rats.

Should put up cctv to catch footage of the neighbours doing it behind me?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 09/04/2018 at 11:17 am

Talk to the neighbour first of all, do they realise it's your garden? Perhaps they think it's wasteland or something (assuming they can't really see it). If it persists you could try contacting your local neighbourhood policing team and report this as antisocial behaviour.

Happy 06/04/2018 at 5:59 pm

Hello, an adjoining neighbour is dumping their rubbish from their garden into the bottom of our garden. Can I report them and who to? Thank you

jr 27/03/2018 at 3:18 pm

In the allotments behind our house, some of the plot holders have taken to holding bbqs and social events. To date, it's not been a problem as they've been on their own plots away from the boundary so we've just ignored it. However, they've now established a 'community barbecue area' right next to the fence behind the houses. Other householders are also concerned as one of the advantages of these houses is the lack of neighbours. The site is very large and there plenty of other areas where they could do this but when I suggested they choose another location, they refused. I've pointed out that it will cause a nuisance to householders, but again, they say they can do what they like. The tenancy agreement states that the allotment site should be used for the growing of fruit and vegetables, but I'm not sure what to do next.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 15/12/2017 at 3:23 pm

If it's not the home owners that are dumping it and it's a publicly accessible area, your council should be doing more about this. If it's an access to your property and your neighbours, could you consider erect a gate across? (With everyone who needs access having a key). Otherwise it might be worth calling your local councillor to see if they can support you.

Goth 13/12/2017 at 12:14 pm

Hi we live on an end of terrace property. People have been throwing their rubbish between the 2 houses at the end of terrace. Sometimes cardboard boxes and sometimes poundland bags full of rubbish. With constantly raining boxes have become mush and now health n safety issue as when ER r crossing I hve almost slipped a few times. Me an my wife reported to council and they say, won't do anything as it's not on pavement and if it's end of terrace then it's house owners responsibility. I don't know what to do. A
Thought abt putting CCTV and a sign saying please don't dump rubbish here but don't think it will help.
Any advice if I can report it somewhere?
Regards
G

ProblemNeighbours Editor 14/11/2017 at 2:26 pm

Why not bring it up as if you don't know it's him? Ask him if he's seen anything - say someone else has commented about the path - and the flytipping and that it's spoiling the area ( and house prices will go down etc etc). That might wake him up to the fact that his improvements are someone else's mess. You can also report it to the council - you don't have to say you know who did it and you can also ask for your details to remain confidential, they will respect this.

Tom 12/11/2017 at 10:23 pm

Hi. I've just seen my very own neighbour flytipping his home improvement rubbish (some plastic garden panels) onto a public pathway that runs between mine and my other neighbour's home.

I obviously know him, his address, etc and it's an offence to fly tip and with all those details a successful prosecution is very likely. On the other hand, as mad as it may sound, he's otherwise an excellent neighbour. It made me really angry when I saw him do it and he, knowing that I've seen him, had done nothing to retrieve the items.

I know for sure that the council will destroy that man financially with a hefty fine, and his wife won't take it well. But if I approach him about it our unintrusive relationship will also end.

There's no good way about it and I feel I just can't let it go, as this sort of behaviour can easily snowball into a littered neighbourhood.

Lastly, only last week during the same neighbour's house works someone dumped a bag with an old Hoover and other packaging from a new machine into my own Hippo bag i had in my driveway ready for collection. Now I suspect it was the same culprit and it makes me even angrier.

Should I report him to prevent others getting 'rubbish' surprises, as I start to see a pattern, or simply speak to him and hope for the best? I think I've answered this myself, but I'm eager to get your view, please.

kaz 26/10/2017 at 2:52 pm

Hi, last year our neighbour at the back (our gardens are back to back) came round and discussed if we would agree to him reducing the height of two of our trees and we agreed as they had got a little tall, we've just returned from holiday and he has reduced the height of one of them again (all this year's growth) which we didn't want touching and now we're worried he's going to do the same to the other, where do we stand and what do you recommend we do.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 19/06/2017 at 1:51 pm

Why not report him to the police (non emergency 101 or contact your local PCSO). You could also report your concerns to the planning department. If all else fails seek advice from a solicitor with a view to taking a private legal action.

me 15/06/2017 at 6:17 pm

A development plan was first submitted 18 months ago to knock down a bungalow and replace it with 2 houses. The council rejected the plan. Another plan was submitted that was also rejected and we are currently waiting for a decision on the third plan. However the problem is that the developers that live there have bullied both me and the other neighbor consistently during the whole process. It is often subtle but the man does it to wear us down. He only does it to the women of the households. I have been driven at when out on my bike, he piles rubbish at the boundary fences to irritate us, he spies on us all when we are in our gardens, he swears at us so we can hear when he is in his garden, he spies on the other neighbors kids, he installed a cctv camera that looks directly onto the pavement (we live in a cul de sac so he can see what we are all doing), he has thrown something at me. These are just a few things that spring to mind. This is just because he blames us all that his development plans have been rejected, instead of accepting that the plans are too much for the size of the space, and it is his way of getting back at us. What can we do about this low level bully?

wines12 04/06/2017 at 3:07 pm

I have a shared enclosed allyway which me and my neighbour share. my new neighbours have just moved in. they now place there bins in the allyway oppersite my side door to my kitchen. can they leave it there we have enough room to walk past but I'm worried that it's a fire risk plus the smells off the bins and the insects they attract

Den 01/06/2017 at 11:12 pm

We own our house and the next 3 house next to us are rented. We have shared access at the back of the property and have to walk past all the other 3 homes. 4 months ago someone moved into the end house and block the way with a old car ( we had to take the bin through the house on bin day). However thus was resolved. Now the person has filled the garden with used car tyres. They had blocked the joint access, have been rolling out into the road, and falling over in the night banging loudly. Noons sees the person in the end house as he only seems to leave the house at night. There are 2 children both under the age of 6 and its now a safety issue as well as a eyesore. Is there anything we can do ?

Tahira 03/05/2017 at 7:25 pm

I came home from work on Sunday and saw a box of rubbish left outside by my drive on the foot path wat should I do and who should I contant

ProblemNeighbours Editor 29/03/2017 at 12:12 pm

You could try your environmental health department if it's unsightly or messy. Otherwise a private/civil action might be worth considering if it's affecting your lifestyle etc.

Martin Woodland 27/03/2017 at 6:55 pm

My neighbor has two old cars that aren't road worthy on his drive and it's driving me crazy. He's not doing them up to sell he's just had them till they broke, left them on his drive and bought a new one. Twice now. Can I report him or have anything done about it as I want to put my house up for sale and it's un slightly especially as one has been there over 3 years and has moss all over it.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 24/03/2017 at 11:46 am

Is this only on Sunday mornings? You could try reporting this to environmental health (rather than the police). We're not sure whether they'll be able to do anything if the noise is after 7am and is just family noise though.

Happy 21/03/2017 at 9:10 am

I own my own property but next door is rented out. There are 2 adults and 5 children. They seem to think it's normal to bang doors shout and wake us up every Sunday morning at 7. Landlord doesn't want to get involved as they are getting their rent. I'm so fed up have had to call the police due to disturbing noises. Had enough

ProblemNeighbours Editor 17/03/2017 at 12:13 pm

Report it to your landlord in the first instance. Is there a possiblity that a temporary CCTV camera could be isntalled? It's worth reporting this to your local police or police community support officer in case it escalates.

Jussie 15/03/2017 at 3:55 pm

I moved into my temporary accommodation June last year. The property hadn't been lived in for awhile and there was slot of rubbish cleared out and dumped on the path at the side of the property, this has since been cleared, recently I have noticed garden waste, scrapes of wood, tv boxes and other waste gathering on my property. I don't know who's doing it bit I came home the other night to find a typed note saying that a neighbour at the back of me has been dumping the rubbish there. I'm not sure what to do as I have no proof it's them or if someone is just causing trouble

ProblemNeighbours Editor 14/02/2017 at 12:23 pm

Make a complaint to your local environmental health department. They should take action on sanitation issues like this.

Ejm 13/02/2017 at 10:44 am

My neighbours regularly dump old rotting food and cooked animal bones and carcasses into our back garden "to feed the foxes" but they leave the food items for months. Letting them decompose and attract rats. This is a danger to the dogs and young children who use the garden and letters from the factor company have been routinely ignored. What is the best course of action?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 06/02/2017 at 2:11 pm

Are these public rights of way? Or well known walkers' routes? The council will normally act if that's the case. Complain to your local councillor or MP if you feel the council is not taking sufficient action. Remember to take pictures and note dates, wherever you see this has happened.

Myfanwy 05/02/2017 at 5:34 pm

My neighbour has just converted his garage to a workshop (surfboard manufacture &a repair). We live in a small terrace, and toxic fumes from his fibreglass smelting are drifting into our house & garden. Can he legally do this? I have two kids under 5 and I can't open the windows or let them play in the garden most days. Who can I contact for help?

Lynny 04/02/2017 at 4:22 am

Hi.a bedding company recently opened near my house. Since then we are finding loads of dumped mattresses and bed bases, some on private land and some just thrown at the side the road. Some just dumped on our greenway and others deep into wooded areas. Im guessing the company take them in part ex ( although no proof)
They are all within 200 yards of the company.
I have contated 2 local council, 2 local paper and a local councillor.......no one wants to know. I have been trying to get them to help since Aug 2016. They say private land.....not our problem.
Can anyone else help me please it is a disgrace and today even more were added. Where can i turn to next.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 17/01/2017 at 1:59 pm

If she doesn't live there and it's a health hazard the council should be able to take action. How did she get a key?

Kat 16/01/2017 at 5:31 pm

I would like some information on a situation that is on going. Our bin collection is once weekly alternate bins. We have an alley gate and residents and bin men have a key. Across the road are garden houses and tenants leave their bins at the kerbside, however one of the residents has had an alley gate key made and after every bin collection she brings over full bins over and takes between two and four bins from the alley which is causing the residents to have to dump rubbish bags as their bins have been taken. The council have been informed but nothing has happened is there any other path we could take to get this stopped because in the summer the stench was awful and we had a massive rat problem.
Please help or advise. Thanks

had-it 15/09/2016 at 7:45 pm

I share a driveway with four houses. Two houses sit on street view the other two on flag lots. My house is flag lot. The owners of the houses on st are related, father house in front of me and his daughter lives next door to him. They are constantly monitoring our comings and goings and tell us what speed to use. They recently took down the cluster mail box we all share, and enclosed the space with a privacy fence. Our cluster mail is now leaning on their privacy fence. They also spray painted the driveway with "private driveway, that includes only the number of the two houses that sit on st view. And spray painted "try 5" as the speed they want us to use. Can someone please tell me what my options and solutions to this drama are.

jon8992 23/08/2016 at 9:13 pm

Hi, we have a very strange problem,where somebody is using my mothers recycle bins.
It's a real nuisance, as she has COPD, and I have to drive down to put it out for her. The problem is that it is now getting full before collection is due, and quite often they put in plastic bags which makes a collection fail.
Have you any advice on who I could contact on her behalf???

Thank You for any forthcoming advice...

ant 17/08/2016 at 10:49 pm

Hi I recently brought a new house and quickly realised the fence at bottom of my garden is 2 meters short of where it should be. I have looked behind fence in hope of claiming the land back, however the neighbours at the bottom have dumped their asbestos garage roof in this area and poured engine oil all round the base of a tree to kill it off. Neither the council or environment agency want to help. Where can I go from here.

Kco 16/08/2016 at 1:11 pm

I have a concern as my neighbour coats her bin bags and paving slabs at the front of her un fenced property in thick bleach every single week- while I assune that this is to deter animals ripping into her rubbish bag I also wonder and an concerned that this poses a very high health risk to myself, my young children who have to walk past these bags and the local wildlife and environment? I am however unsure if she is violating any rules and would like some help on this matter?
Only last year we had to call out a member of the rspca after my young son found a kitten dead just feet from the bag- we immediately called and thy came out to investigate- they confirmed it was highly lint that this poor creature had died as a result of this happening. They spoke with the lady and told her that this should not continue.....she stopped for a while but has started again.

Please help!

ProblemNeighbours Editor 11/08/2016 at 11:35 am

You could try discussing this with your neighbour, ask her if there is any way she (with your help) could persuade her son to get some of the vehicles removed. If that is unsuccessful, your environmental health department might be able to issue a notice asking them to clean up the area because it is a "nuisance" or because it is a potential danger or health hazard.

Firsttimebuyers2016 09/08/2016 at 3:29 pm

Hi, we have recently purchased a property in a quiet cul de sac and now have a drive and garage (yay!). Our house is semi detached and our front door faces onto the drive which is shared with the next houses drive. Our front doors face each other. The neighbour in question is an elderly lady who has her middle aged son living with her. Unfortunately for us (and her) he has filled her drive with his cars. Two of which look like they've not been moved for years -moss around the handles, cobwebs galore etc when we moved in she actually apologised for them. I'm just wondering how to approach the situation as they are already starting to wind me up. They may aswel be rubbish piled up as they don't look nice at all. Any ideas would be great. Thanks

ProblemNeighbours Editor 18/07/2016 at 10:29 am

Yes if someone is dumping this on your property it's effectively fly tipping and environmental health should be able to do something about it. If not, report it to the police.

Ak 16/07/2016 at 1:22 am

Hi, I'm looking for some advice. We have a small shop with a service road around the back. Now for the past year someone keeps dumping resteraunt waste, oil drums and some really disgusting stuff down this road on our property. They do this every month or every other month. I've contacted the council and they said they can't do anything since it is in our property. I've paid £80 every time to get it removed, I've spent about £1000 over the past year. Do you have any advice on what I can do about this. Should I go the police?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 06/07/2016 at 12:37 pm

Unfortunately if she is ignoring your requests, your only other option is legal action. Start with a note, saying that the shared drive is for access - if you can, include a copy of the relevant part of your deeds to give this credence and that you formally requesting that she removes all obstacles. If this is unsuccessful, seek advice from a solicitor.

Sm 05/07/2016 at 7:28 pm

Hi, i share a drive with my neighbour. Recently she has decided to dump her rubbish (bricks and sand bags, an old radiator) at the top of our shared drive. I have tried talking to her about this matter as she is making it impossible to exit and enter the drive with a car. She has not moved her rubbish and insists half the drive is hers and so she will fill it with whatever she pleases. I know that shared drives must be clear at all times but she does not understand this as she does not own a car. What can i do?

Whatsoever 22/06/2016 at 10:25 pm

Hi - lady (!) next door is a social recluse but perfectly polite. Three dumped cars in drive, food regularly dumped on drive to feed foxes, house falling to bits and overgrown....ocassional visiting rat comes through. Council not too bothered. Caught her tipping a big bucket brimming with pee into the street grid. Stench galore! Assume either water bill not paid and no flushing looks in house or loos kaput. Electricity is out there. Don't know what to do.....her vile habits are not really hassling me too badly but cmon .....tipping wee into open drains is just plain nasty isn't it?! Any advice or views appreciated. Not up for a big row with the lady.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 07/06/2016 at 9:59 am

Speak to your local police or police community support officer. They'll be able to pop round and either have a word or keep an eye on the area for a while.

J 05/06/2016 at 1:02 am

My family and I have had new neighbours who moved in a couple of weeks ago, and we've had nothing but trouble with them. They've been instigating fights with people, are very noisy throughout most the night, and are just an overall nuisance and have no lack of respect for anyone else around them.

Tonight I was woken up by the family's son and his friend, throwing objects into an abandoned house next door but one, smashing the windows and door, and have recorded them taking two mattresses and other items from their house and fly tipping them to the abanded one.

How can I go about reporting them as I have video evidence of them doing it?

Island 01/06/2016 at 9:37 pm

Hi,
Could you please advice if we can do anything. We are living in new house and quite nice estate. Our hous in on the corner, just next to entrance to side road where we have 6 neighbours. They constantly living rubish beens next to our house, which starting to be very frustrating. What is the best way to deal with that. I left note at each bean and just one house stopped doing that. Only one.. Thank you...

ProblemNeighbours Editor 27/05/2016 at 12:37 pm

There are somethings you can do, especially if you think some of the issues might constitute a health hazard Take a look at this article for more information.

John smith 26/05/2016 at 12:47 pm

Hello, I was wondering what could be done about my problem?
I live in a row of terraces in a very quiet village my neighbour, the end terrace has 5/6 cars in his back garden all sat there for 10 plus years rusting away with 40 plus old tyres and engines also in the garden. It has got to the stage in my life where I wish to sell my house but am having no luck due to the state of the garden next door. Is there anything I am able to do? Many thanks

ProblemNeighbours Editor 25/05/2016 at 10:33 am

It seems like your neighbours clearly don't understand the implications of PTSD or other mental health disorders. There are some good organisations/charities which deal with PTSD and it's impacts on every day life. You might find they can offer help with your situation, here are two that we know of: Combat Stress and PTSD Resolution . You might also want to consider suggesting mediation to your neighbours. Even if you try this with just one set of neighbours, it may have a 'knock on' effect with the others. It will help them to get to know you and possibly give them a better understanding of your husband's condition. Here's how to find a mediation service.

Klb 24/05/2016 at 10:30 am

I live in a street of just 8 houses and for 18 years, though our house is tidy and gardens well kept, we mind our business and dont really get involved with people.my husband who fought in iraq in the gulf war and suffers PTSD, the neighbours gossip about us when we are there and purposefully go out of there way to cause trouble.parking across are drive,smirking staring and laughing at us.we try to just take no notice but 6 months ago a new neighbour moved in, she has never spoken to us once but straight away listened to gossip and has now started shouting comments over fence and out of windows.last week there was a incident i had to get police because my husband had a kind of breakdown.it was very scary and distressing for me and my children and she even came out and started going on to yhe police about us.she could see it was already a tense situation and it could have made it worse.the ridiculous thing is shes a registered psycotherapist and the levels of ignorance is shocking...even the policeman looked shocked at her and basicslly told her to go away.i am now trying to get some advice about whether we can get some kind of legal advice and get this behaviour nipped in the bud.life is already very difficult for us as a family andbit makes me stunned that people can have help for heroes stickers on there cars but in private they are causing hurt and upset themselves.

Laura 22/05/2016 at 9:13 am

Hi, I caught my next door neighbor for the second time pouring his body fluid down the grid (as in pee) I told the council and they said it's a delicate matter i didn't have my phone on me at the time to take photo proof, his house isn't in the best of state has it is God knows what his does with his other waste!. I have a 4 year old and an 8 month and I don't like them playing out because it's kinda smells. What can be done his house isn't the best of tidy homes. Thanks

ProblemNeighbours Editor 11/05/2016 at 10:30 am

There's not much you can do about this unfortunately apart from to erect a fence obstructing your view of this. You can construct a fence of up to 2m height in a rear garden. This should be reasonably sufficient to detract from the view of the van; you could also plant large shrubs or small trees to help.

ne 08/05/2016 at 11:32 am

My neighbour has parked an old van that is SORN in a large field. He has parked it as within 5ft of my garden side ways on showing the large company logo. it has been done to upset us and the other neighbours. I build a large childs play house to block the van view into the garden. he has now moved it so is can be seen again. We have many children playing in our garden and am very concerned. This is an ongoing dispute with two very nasty brothers who own the field.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 20/04/2016 at 11:31 am

You should go back to your council. They have powers deal with this on the basis of either of the following:
If the items in the untidy garden/on the street are likely to rot/cause a nuisance with vermin or air pollution, they can take action under the Enviromental Protection Act
If the land (or building) is in an "unsightly condition that may be detrimental to the amenity of the neighbourhood" the council can deal with it under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which gives the council the power to help maintain the standard of the local environment.
The Council can serve a Section 215 notice on the owner or occupier when the poor condition and the appearance of the property or land are detrimental to the surrounding area or neighbourhood. A section 215 notice requires proper maintenance of the property or land in question, and specifies what measure that should be taken within a certain timeframe.
If you are not happy with the action taken by your council, contact a councillor, or failing that, the local government ombudsman.

SN 18/04/2016 at 7:26 am

My neighbour is a hoarder and although he had a driveway he keeps 4 old classic cars on the road on our busy cul de sac, 3 of which never move, where it is already hard to park. He does this because his driveway has a further 3 cars parked which don't move either, so he takes on road parking away from me and my next door neighbour (he lives opposite us). His driveway is full of rubbish as is his house. The local fire brigade had a problem some time ago extinguishing a fire in his house because it was full of stuff.

My question is what can I do? I've tried the council, police, DVLA and appealing to him (politely), to no avail. I feel the only option will be to move but have already been advised that the mess he has created is having a negative affect on the value of my house. I feel that his behaviour is very anti-social and yet there seems to be no regulation on this and I'm therefore powerless to do anything!

Please help!!!

SN

ProblemNeighbours Editor 13/04/2016 at 12:38 pm

Common law requires a property owner ensure that they do not drain water into their neighbour’s property or foul drain. There is no general issue with rainwater flowing naturally across your land downhill to your neighbour’s land, but it should not be channelled artificially to drain on to a neighbouring property. So your neighbour should not channel roof water through a down pipe/ ineffective guttering on to your property. Your only real resort if conversation is unsuccessful however, is a civil action, but you'd have to prove that there is genuine damage to your property.

DT 12/04/2016 at 10:43 am

My neighbour has a downpipe which directs a concentrated stream of rain water down his garage roof that slants towards our drive. As it is concentrated his gutter on the garage can't take it so it bounces out on to our side (our drives are adjoining) meaning we have a constant damp patch and can't use that part of our drive. He is reluctant to divert the pipe and doesn't see the problem. What can we do? He has also just put his house on the market.

Lknhfdrygdd 10/04/2016 at 2:01 pm

Our neighbour in the flat downstairs puts all of his food scraps (including chicken bones) on his garden can I report him for this?

Benny 27/02/2016 at 3:58 pm

I recently moved into a property within the last couple of months. The property is a block of four flats split into 2x2. The two next to me have a fenced garden which my bedroom unfortunately over looks. The garden has never been looked after and is rotten and dirty and they are dumping empty alcohol cans and waste in the garden. I'm not sure out of the two flats who the rubbish belongs too but it's such an eye sore and is making the area look very run down and untidy which is upsetting to see. It seems to be getting worse as last week there was 6 countable cans and this week there is no 14 :( can I do anything or because it's fenced it's classed as OK?

seebee 16/01/2016 at 8:45 pm

Last Autumn our neighbours dumped a mattress into a shared passageway......I asked him to move it, he didnt, even though he said he would, I asked him again with the same result.
I contacted my council, infact the leader of the council, he said he had passed it on to shore line housing who run the housing for them. Nothing happened. In November I visited shoreline offices and complained again along with some photos....again nothing.

Thank You

ProblemNeighbours Editor 04/01/2016 at 11:14 am

You can call your local council's refuse department and report this.

Lylla12 03/01/2016 at 9:33 am

My neighbours son dumped a boiler and flue near the wheelie bins outside my home yesterday I said to him you need to take it to the recycling centre. He said if it isn't picked up in a few days he will take it which is a lie. It's not the first time this has happened.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 23/11/2015 at 11:49 am

Make sure you either deliver the letter by hand or send it via recorded delivery so that you have proof the letter was received. You may need to seek legal advice to progress this via the courts.

none 22/11/2015 at 8:35 am

Good mornint I have been having a issue with noise from my neighbour that lives above me. When he moved in 2002 he removed all the sound proof i have been victime of heavy noise even since for 10 years i did try to make some effort or replacing a rug, he did for a week and then removed the rug. He has cracking board floor all over his flat, it has been a health problem for me he never care. The co;plain started in 2002 reporting to housing officer to westminster noise team, he has been revengeful ever since.
I re-installed the soundproof in my living room, could not do the flat for mpney matter so today im asking him to pay 80% of the invoice, I send a registered letter to my neighbour.
What can I do if he ignore my letter
I want to take him to court ?
thank you for your attention

None 26/10/2015 at 10:02 am

My next door neighbour built a new fence about 8years ago but brought it more into her property leaving a strip of her land on mine is she entitled
to claim this back

Fedup.com 24/10/2015 at 5:01 pm

Hi I live in a little culdy sac which houses mainly families with small children, however in 1 corner we have a block of 4 flats, and in those flats live some rather undesirable characters! These include drug takers, and quite a bit of domestic violence! We have the drug parofanalier along the footpaths where our children play, they come out in the middle of the afternoon wearing usually only underwear picking cigarette stumps up off the floor, they fight and beat up each other (men and women) all hours of the night, waking the children from neighbouring properties up making them tired and irritable for school, the constant banging, swearing, breaking down of doors ( usually from drug dealers) all day and night! We as a community have tried to contact the police - who pass us onto the council - who pass us to the local community safety officer - who pass us back to the police - who pass.do you get the picture?? What can we do, they are driving people to the point of despair and making not only me but my neighbours Ill with the worry and grief! Please help

none 19/10/2015 at 5:27 am

We had a survey done last year and our property extended to the place next door,we put up a fence but left 3ft for right of way for repairing fence as we need to. They neighbour has shoved a nasty garbage bin and junky old car tires next to the fence to stop us,I am going to get a decree that will make her pay 50 bucks a week for the junk and owes 12months rent

ProblemNeighbours Editor 09/10/2015 at 11:57 am

Yes, try the highways and the planning departments (there may have been conditions about clearing up as part of the planning permission) first of all. If nothing is done, report it as fly tipping to the council's refuse department.

J 08/10/2015 at 9:19 pm

There has been a building development behind our house for the last two yrs. finally they've finished but the building community director who was the foreman has dumped building supplies rubbish and materials on land on the side of the road. Opposite our garage.They have said they own the land they've dumped it on and will clear it but it's been three weeks and they don't appear to be doing anything. We can't contact them As their website has mysteriously disappeared. Is he in his rights to leave this rubbish here if he owns the land. It's all just dumped hapharzardly. The land is at the side of a public road. Can we complain to highways?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 11/09/2015 at 12:05 pm

It's quite an unusual question that's for sure - and we don't really know what answer to give! We suggest calling environmental health would be a good first step. Do let us know how you get on.

Depressed dad 10/09/2015 at 1:12 pm

Hello, I am not sure if I am posting this in the right category but here goes! My neighbour looks after her grandchildren while their parents are at work. There are quite a few children there and usually this is not a problem. Over the summer I noticed an unpleasant smell in both my front and back gardens. When my partner was in the garden she told me she had seen the neighbour throwing the contents of the potty into the garden! Not just liquid either! What is worse is that the waste is being thrown against our fence and settling against the gravel boards. My partner has also heard the neighbour encouraging the older children to "go outdoors" to save messing up the house! It seems they have been using the front garden, again against our fence, as a toilet! Is this allowed? Unfortunately the husband has also been seen urinating in the garden. There is a distinct smell of both sorts of waste and it has ruined our enjoyment of the garden. I cannot approach them - they have made it clear they don't like us and won't take kindly to this! Any advice please on how to sort this out? Many thanks.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 10/09/2015 at 11:22 am

This is fly tipping as described in our article. Here is the advice from Hastings Borough Council on what to do if you see someone flytipping: If possible, please make a note of: - the day, date and time you saw the tipping. What you saw: - how many people were flytipping and what they looked like - what they were actually doing - any vehicles involved - their make, colour and registration number Where you saw the flytipping: - how much? - what it looked like There is a link for posting you complaint here.

Gayle Valentine 09/09/2015 at 11:33 am

Hi, as disabled single mum of 3, I'm sick and tired of neighbours blatantly dumping their unwanted furniture in my front yard. Especially as I've seen each item outside THEIR houses day before. I live in a private residence which also is access to West Hill Boxing club. Why should I have to deal with their unwanted stuff?! Its bloody rude

ProblemNeighbours Editor 19/08/2015 at 9:56 am

Do you own your property? Are there conditions in your deeds referring to obstruction of the access land? If so, then any contraventions can be enforced legally ( you would have to see advice from a solicitor). Is there a chance you can erect a small fence against your own plot of land? That may be a solution to the bin problem.

Iwanttomove 18/08/2015 at 9:05 am

I have issues with neighbours both sides.
On one side they constantly move their wheelie bins onto my front lawn to access their side passage - often the bins just get left on my property. I have also seen them wheel their bins across my grass when they are due to be emptied.
The other side provide a constant stream of assorted rubbish which they dump in the shared side passage and often it's months before it's removed. At present there is heaps of decking (2 months) and an old bath (3 weeks). The old toilet, basin and old tiles are at the front of the side passage on an area which is actually all mine. These arrived on Saturday
I accept that these properties have very oddly divided land - most of the boundaries have turns and corners on them - why they were done like that who knows! Even so, everybody should keep to their own patch - I don't find it difficult to avoid encroaching on on other peoples property, so why do they??

Just leaving any kind of rubbish for a long time in a shared area is damned inconsiderate anyway, even it it's on 'your own side'. I suppose I will have to speak to them about the toilet and basin, reminding them again that they are on my land! Oh yeah, and the guilty party in this case is a policeman! He has also done extensive construction work in his back garden with no planning consent/building regulations, but I guess that's another story!!

Fedup 11/08/2015 at 4:43 pm

Just been down the garden & some other neighbour (totally different one) was mowing his lawn & throwing all the bits of rock & stone off his lawn through into our garden! The first bit of rock came flying through at such force & just missed me. Then a handful came flying through, then the odd other stone or two. I shouted at him to ask him to tell him to stop & he just ignored me & carried on mowing his lawn. On the odd ocassion he stopped for a bit, i tried shouting him then, but he just ignored me. Looks like all the neighbours around us are using our garden as a dumping ground for any crap they don't want in their own garden! Is it any wonder people snap!!!

Welshknight62 11/08/2015 at 2:50 pm

My neighbour cuts overhanging branches of our garden trees then throws the cuts back over the fence to our garden. Isnt that fly tipping?

Fedup 10/08/2015 at 1:50 pm

We have a problem with a few neighbours. We all live in private property. On one side we have neighbours who are continually parking across the end of our drive, have CCTV cameras up on the edge of their property next to us (we don't know if they are looking onto our property or not) & their cooking smells are so strong that we have to keep shutting our windows & bringing our washing in. There is no point trying to talk to them as within weeks of them moving in they had broken our fence (the children kicking it) & my father had to pay to have a new one put up. The children carried on kicking the new one & when we tried to say something we were just met by vile abuse. The neighbours whose property joins the bottom of our garden keep throwing rubbish into our garden - bags of dog muck & a mens pair of pooh-filled knickers - amongst other stuff, but we have no witnesses or no video evidence, although it is obvious to us where it is coming from. We also have a neighbour across the road who does up old vehicles & sells them on. He is constantly revving & running engines (& playing loud music). We keep ourselves to ourselves, are quiet & don't bother anyone &would just like the same in return.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 07/07/2015 at 10:37 am

@Myke. If you do not want to confront them, then this is fly tipping, so you should contact the police or the council (environmental health).

myke 02/07/2015 at 8:37 pm

One of our neighbours who has a habit of upsetting every other ajoining neighbour has started dumping their garden waste over their fence into our garden. It has started with their lawn cuttings but I know this is going to escilate. Due to previous confrontations with other matters we were advised by police not to confront them. Where do we stand with this? im eager to nip this new problem in the bud (excuse the pun) but not sure how to go about resolving it. What legal right do we have?

bell 24/06/2015 at 3:40 am

We have an end of terrence house adjacent to a well lit pathway. For some time now a person has been fly tipping waste from the pathway into my garden. Random things like bags of rubbish and recently an abandoned pram. Please how do I deal with this disturbing situation.

Ali 21/05/2015 at 1:19 pm

We have a problem with our neighbours. Ocasionally (once a week) they throw random rubbish(empty silicon tubes, old clothing, pieces of wood left after diy etc.) over the hedge to our back garden.
Is there anything I can do?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 13/05/2015 at 12:41 pm

@SUJOE> Get copies of the original deeds and land registry records should identify the actual boundary. You will need to discuss this with the neighbour. If he/she is not willing to cooperate, you may need to consult a solicitor.

SUJOE 08/05/2015 at 4:14 am

WE moved into an ex council house,bought1994 by the previous owners .this was Sept 2o13, last year we started cutting down ivy,which we thought was round a tree. The neighbour soon came round and said he had a grotto which extends at least 4 /5 foot into the back of my garden,according to land registry documents,Iwish to put a new fence to enclose my garden,the adjoining house to them has a fence which is in the right place according to the land registry documents,what rights do I have

CustardCreme Editor 03/07/2015 at 9:15 am

@Jam, I'm in same situation. Although I'm the home owner and the neighbor insists on leaving bins next to our fence right St our patio and decking area. The smell is awful and flies everywhere. She often misses bin day so over flowing, ect. I even have come to the point if taking her bins out for her.

How do I deal with this?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 29/04/2015 at 2:12 pm

@jam. Check with your local council to see whether they put a covenant in place relating to the bin's location when the property was sold. There may also be local regulations or bylaws relating to this.

jam 24/04/2015 at 11:52 am

I am a council tenant and my neighbour has bought her house. The council recently refurbished the estate and created bin holding areas at the back of the properties behind a screen so concealed from view. However my neighbour is insisting on leaving her bins at the front of the house against the adjoining fence to my house (practically under my kitchen window) this is resulting in lots of flies as she doesn't recycle and her bin is often overflowing. She says that as she is a home owner its up to her where she puts her bins and there's nothing I can do. Is this the case? Any advice as to where I go from here please

ProblemNeighbours Editor 13/04/2015 at 11:11 am

@eab1994- If your neighbours are also council tenants, you may want to contact your housing officer. If they are throwing broken glass into your garden it's really a police matter.

Eab1994 09/04/2015 at 10:05 pm

What can I do about neighbours throwing rubbish in my garden I live in a council house and would just like some advise. I have a 14 week old baby and they have now started dumping broken glasses in the garden on the inside of our gate I also have a cat who goes out so its a great worry that either my cat daughter or me and my partner will get injured. Any advise would be greatly appreciated thank you.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 20/03/2015 at 2:38 pm

@Ethel. You should really seek legal advice in this as we do not have enough detail about the terms in your contracts etc. Are they actually allowed to sell the garage as a separate entity for example? It seems like a strange thing to do.

Ethel 19/03/2015 at 10:38 am

I live in block of four freehold flats,all with garages at rear of property. Downstairs neighbour is selling her flat, and wants to sell garage separately to a different person to flat buyer. How will this affect other garage and property owners. There is a covenant between my flat and hers, in regards to maintenance and repairs. How would new garage owner be obliged to contribute to repair of shared driveway and acces?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 11/03/2015 at 12:46 pm

@veron. The council's environmental health department may be able to help regarding the rubbish.

Veron 08/03/2015 at 12:09 pm

Hi. My neighbour with adjoining wall has been banging on our walls, blasting loud music all day when se wakes up until she goes to bed roughly 7.30 until 10.30 everyday. Having no reaction from us she's now started to throw rubbish onto our conservatory roof. First a banana peel now a heavy bottle of conditioner. Who knows what she'll throw next. She has damaged our garden plants and killed quite a few with some chemical.
Council and police powerless as no witnesses. Who should I contact re rubbish on roof please? We can't afford lawyers. Thank you.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 17/02/2015 at 10:28 am

@T. Have you asked them? There may be a valid reason for what they are doing?

t 14/02/2015 at 8:18 pm

My downstairs neighbour keeps moving our rubbish every time we take down and put it in in the front garden where we are suppose to and they move it without telling us we have no idea where they are putting it and we are not sure if it is being put out for collection

ProblemNeighbours Editor 12/02/2015 at 12:32 pm

@D. Report this to Environmental Health as a nuisance, affecting your reasonable enjoyment of your property. Is the house rented? If so the landlord may also be able to help. There may even be terms in the tenancy agreement about not running a business from the house.

D 09/02/2015 at 6:43 pm

I have neighbours that fix cars in front of their house which is fine, the problem is all the friends brings their cars too. They start revving the engines then speed to the end of the road.The guy who lives at the house revs his car all hours of day and night with no concern for the elderly or families with young children and babies.The other danger is that kids play on the street and could get hurt or worse. No one approaches them as they are not exactly friendly especially when they are in groups so there is no point in us asking them to stop.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 25/11/2014 at 10:59 am

@warsha. You could take legal action and get an injunction to compel them to undertake the repairs - it is causing a nuisance and/or damage. That may be a lengthy and costly process, but the threat of legal action may be sufficient to induce them to get the work done. Check at your local citizens advice bureau for help with the letter if you need it.
How long has the extension been there? If the guttering (and any other part of the extension) is overhanging your garden, did you give permission for this? If not there may some action you can take to get the extension revised/removed so that no part overhangs your property.

warsha 23/11/2014 at 11:46 am

i am having problem with neighbour regarding guttering over hanging on our side from her garag extension and its leaking and living very bad green slimmy my husband did reapaire it as its on our side but its still leaking so he told the neighbour so many times but they are not taking any notice she said take it down but if we take it down the water will still fall down through plastic roof she got and its really hanging on our side i want to put fence on my side but that means the water will fall on my fence from the edge of her plastic roof have told her so many time and she is just ignoring can you please advice me what i should do next

ProblemNeighbours Editor 14/11/2014 at 2:22 pm

@mike. They should investigate all complaints, but how they act as result of the complaint will be down to their findings.

Mike 13/11/2014 at 3:45 pm

My mother's next door neighbour uses a wood burning stove but seems to be burning wood with an additive as the smell is very strong and isn't just wood- maybe a preservative? Due to a prevailing wind, the smoke enters her lounge and causes her throat and chest problems.

She has complained to the council, who just seem to be fobbing her off. The previous two officers retired and left respectively, and as she thought they were dealing with it, she hasn't complained for about six months, so the latest officer is saying she will have to file a new complaint! Is there a statutory requirement for the council do deal with this?

EstuaryBird 28/09/2014 at 6:35 pm

Our house is divided into 2 flats. We own the ground floor, including the front garden except the path to the front door which is jointly owned.

The family over the road recently purchased the upstairs flat as a buy to let. As part of the 'renovations' they had their part of the back garden cleared - which was good as it was mainly bindweed and had been neglected for many years. However, they have left the mountain of rubbish (mainly open bags of rotting vegetation) in my small front garden. It has been there for over 3 weeks, it stinks and both husband and I are suffering wheezy chests - which may or may not be attributable to the rotting mess.

I have asked them to move it on several occasions but have been ignored. Although they own the flat it is not in their name and I don't know who the named is or how to contact him. They are well known for their dodgy dealings and general slyness...

I do not know what to do? I really don't want to pay to have it removed, they already owe us several hundred pounds for damage done during the renovations upstairs.

The council, Newham, have been less than helpful.

Any suggestions?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 17/09/2014 at 11:42 am

@MTIZ. You can find out who owns the land via the land registry. If the new owner does own the hedge/trees part then unless there is a tree preservation order in place, there is nothing to stop him doing what he likes with the trees.

MTIZ 15/09/2014 at 1:13 pm

a land adjoining to our property was sold off by the council. however the back end disused land has rows of mature hedges that provides privacy to our place. for 20 years.. now the new owner is cutting down the trees same man that erected a chicken hut 3 years ago illegally. i asked the council ,he say the map of our property extends to that small hedge..how would i know he owns it.. only bough 3 months ago .thanks

Fed Up with Neighbou 03/09/2014 at 1:24 pm

My next door neighbours had fencing put in their garden. They done fencing on both sides. This morning, that is , Wednesday 03/09/14 around 11.00 am my wife went into the garden to hang her washing and noticed all the old fence, big pieces of rotton wood, garden rubbish and chopped pieces of trees dump in our rear garden right at the back. My neighbours have dumped all their rubbish into our rear garden after they finished their new fencing on Tuesday 02/09/14.
I do have photos when this neighbour digging into the garden when he started his fencing. He did this job himself because he is a handy man does all his household jobs both internal and external.
What is the best way to report this illegal act ? Will the local council take any action ?

col 26/03/2014 at 6:33 pm

hiya i live in the middle of a set of 3 terraced houses we share a path at the rear to get to the back garden . my neighbour has fitted a locked 6 foot gate . he has put a clip on the gate which you can use to temp use to open the gate but you can only do this from the back garden . if the gate is locked from their side you cant open the gate to get access to the rear of the houses .

lipreader 20/10/2012 at 2:29 pm

I live in a housing association block of flats. They have a footpath outside the flats. We have a problem with a mechanic who has his customers driving over the footpath, and I have nearly been knocked down myself ,I am in a wheelchair and my carer on numerous occasions. The access road is unadopted, so nobody owns it although the mechanic tells everybody he owns it. I have found out that the mechanic does not have planning permission to run a business, The problem that I have is does the footpath belong to the Housing Association if so how do I stop this mechanic getting his customers driving over the footpath?. Can the mechanic be taken to court? He has been giving us a load of abuse as well. Land registry been checked it is unadopted

Richard 06/09/2012 at 6:01 pm

Hello,my neighbour is using his rear garden as a wood yard, he is a chimney sweep and chops wood in the garden and has shelters which he stores wood joining our boundary and a boundary to a football field. Is he allowed to have wood store (combustable) attached to boundary fences?Is he allowed to use his rear garden as a business yard without permission?He does not use any safety equipment when using his chain saw and axe, he wears boots, shorts and t shirt, no goggles, no hard hat, visor, gloves or protective clothing. I am worried that he might cause seroius harm to himself and also my children might witness this.He also will not stop making noise when I ask him after 7pm when we are trying to get our children to sleep. Please could you tell me who I need to contact regarding these issues.Many thanksRichard Leivers

ProblemNeighbours Editor 04/09/2014 at 10:36 am

@fed up with neighbours. Can you not simply as your neighbour to remove the debris? If he doesn't then it's an offence under various parts of the Environmental Protection Act. Report him to your local environmental health office or the Environment Agency.

Fed Up 05/09/2012 at 8:27 pm

We put up a conservatory 15 years ago but did not get planning permission. A neighbour has told the Council that we have a new building in our garden. A Planning Officer came round and said he could see the building was not new. Will we have to take it down.

kayla 01/08/2012 at 4:43 pm

my neighbour has just told me that im not allow to put anything by his hedge and that it has to be at least 1metre away from his hedge well that means losing a lot of space in my garden that surely is not correct is it please help????????

fedupwiththemess 18/06/2012 at 7:45 pm

My house has got an allyway at the side with rear access to houses in a separate road. One of these houses has left a 6 foot concrete fence post and a bag of building rubbish against my house. It has been there for about 6 months. I am in the process of selling my house and am very concerned that, when the survey is done it will be commented by the surveyor. If I report this as fly tipping to the council will I have to disclose this to my potential buyers.

topbanana 08/05/2012 at 4:27 pm

My next door neighbour has put their extension on the boundary between us, we have got 5 air vents blowing flumes most of the day is that fair. we put ivy up the wall to stop the eye sore of a breeze block wall but have been told to get it down, help?

hound 07/05/2012 at 11:09 am

I got in touch with local council about a very noisy dog nextdoor and because I was a shiftworker I was told I was in the minority so much to things being fair egh ?

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