It is easy for disputes to arise between neighbours. Broken fences, barking dogs, and anti-social behaviour can all lead to fallings out with other people who live in your immediate vicinity.
However, unless disagreements are resolved quickly and effectively, they can easily turn from minor inconveniences into major feuds, which can prove stressful, expensive and extremely disruptive for everyone involved.
In this blog, our experienced Civil Litigation solicitors answer some frequently asked questions about neighbour disputes.
What are the most common neighbour disputes?
Disagreements can happen between neighbours and other people in your locality for various reasons.
Some of the most common causes of neighbour dispute include:
- Noise. Loud music, late-night parties, barking dogs, and construction work can all lead to excessive noise that disrupt another person’s peace and quiet.
- Anti-social behaviour. Inconsiderate behaviour, for example, an ill-maintained property, frequent visitors, verbal abuse, harassment, vandalism or dumping rubbish can often impact on another person’s quality of life.
- Parking. Disputes can often arise over parking issues, such as a car blocking a driveway or being parked in front of someone else’s house.
- Boundaries. Disagreements over boundaries, such as overgrown hedges or broken fences, and whose responsibility they are to rectify can often cause problems.
- Party wall disputes. Party wall disputes occur when one neighbour wants to build up to the property boundary, but the other disagrees.
What’s the best way to resolve disputes with neighbours?
The first step towards attempting to resolve an issue with a neighbour is usually to talk to them about it. In some cases, they may not even be aware that there is a problem.
If you do choose to approach a neighbour directly, staying calm and talking about your concerns in a non-confrontational manner will increase the likelihood of you and your neighbour reaching an agreement about how to proceed.
Some neighbour disputes are considered a ‘statutory nuisance’ under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and can be raised with your local council.
Issues that may be considered a statutory nuisance include an accumulation of rubbish on a neighbour’s property, noise from premises or vehicles, and artificial light that interferes with the use or enjoyment of a home or other premises.
Solicitors can also help with disagreements between neighbours. A specialist civil litigation solicitor will help you understand whether your neighbour has broken any laws or regulations and help you work out the best way to proceed.
Seeking legal advice at an early stage can stop a dispute from escalating.
At Larcomes, our experienced Civil Litigation solicitors in Portsmouth and Waterlooville help people resolve disputes with neighbours efficiently and cost effectively.
If you are experiencing an issue with a neighbour, get in touch with our team and they will advise you on the most appropriate next steps based on your circumstances.
To speak with one of our neighbour disputes solicitors, please call 023 9224 6666 or make an online enquiry.
How can a solicitor help with neighbour disputes?
Some common dispute resolution methods for neighbour disputes that a solicitor might suggest include the following options:
- Letter. A solicitor can draft a formal letter to your neighbour that details the issue and proposes solutions. A solicitor’s letter can also include an overview of any consequences your neighbour may face if they do not respond or fail to rectify the problem.
- Mediation. Mediation involves an independent third-party meeting with both parties to help them reach an agreement. A solicitor can help you access mediation, which is a faster and more cost-effective way to resolve a dispute than pursuing a solution through the courts.
- Court. If you are unable to resolve a dispute with a neighbour through mediation or other means, a solicitor can help you build a strong case and will defend your interests in court.
- Compensation. A specialist civil litigation solicitor with experience in neighbour disputes will advise whether you will be entitled to compensation and advise on the best way of securing a settlement.
Do you have to disclose neighbour disputes when selling a house?
If you are selling your property, you must complete various paperwork, including the Property Information Form (TA6). This form is for the seller to give the buyer detailed information about the residence.
Sellers are legally required to provide information about disputes, including those with neighbours.
The TA6 form states: “The seller should provide information about any existing disputes. This could include the cause of the dispute (for example, complaints relating to noise) and any action taken to resolve matters. The seller should also provide information about disputes that have arisen in the past.
“The seller should provide information about anything that could lead to a dispute in the future.”
What constitutes “a dispute” is open to interpretation. However, if you have made a complaint to the council or another authority about a neighbour’s actions or if you have contacted them directly in writing, this should be declared.
Neighbour Disputes Solicitors Portsmouth
Disputes with neighbours can occur for various reasons and, if not handled effectively, can be extremely disruptive.
At Larcomes, our civil litigation solicitors in Portsmouth and Waterlooville advise clients on many different issues, including disagreements with neighbours.
Regardless of whether you are facing a civil dispute claim against you, or if you need to pursue a claim against someone else, it can be extremely stressful and seeking early expert advice is essential.
At Larcomes, we have a specialist team of litigation and dispute resolution solicitors who will provide you with professional, practical and clear advice as to what is the correct approach to deal with the dispute.
We act for both commercial and private individuals and are conflict resolution experts in a wide range of civil disputes including but not limited to:
- Building Disputes.
- Breach of Contract/Consumer Rights.
- Debt Collection and Enforcement.
- Contentious Wills and Trusts and Inheritance Act Claims.
- Boundary Disputes.
- Co-Ownership Disputes.
- Landlord and Tenant Claims.
- Enforcement.
For information on our specialist dispute resolution services for businesses, please click here.
To speak with one of our civil litigation lawyers specialising in neighbour disputes, please call 023 9224 6666 or make an online enquiry.
Please note that this article is not intended as legal or professional advice. It is for general guidance only, and updates to the law may have changed since it was published.
