|
Nearly everyone has had a “problem” neighbor. You know who we’re talking about – the folks who park the wrong way on the street, never mow their lawn or repair their home, blast music at 2 a.m., maybe let their dogs run loose about the neighborhood. But not everyone knows the best way to deal with this type of neighbor.
The first step is to try and talk to the neighbor, civilly if you can. Perhaps the neighbor doesn’t even realize that the dog is sitting out in the backyard barking for hours on end while they’re at work. A more serious problem such as late night partying or possible illegal activity is an entirely different matter, but for mild problems, it may be best to simply try and work things out one-on-one.
If you are renting a property, you can talk to your landlord or superintendent about getting involved, especially if it is in a condominium, townhome or apartment. Some leases contain “noise clauses” and could lead to loss of tenancy if the neighbors are excessively noisy for instance.
If noise or other particular action is an issue, it may help to keep a journal detailing the incidents. If/when you are forced to take the matter to the authorities, you have documentation (take pictures if necessary) of the infractions. Take excessive partying and noise for instance: note the time and duration, number of parties involved, noise level, etc. Talk to other neighbors about whether or not they’re having a problem with it. There is strength in numbers.
Another step you can take is to check with your neighborhood HOA or municipal code enforcement. If your neighbor is keeping a dozen chickens in the backyard, when it’s actually illegal to keep chickens within city limits, it’s something your municipality has authority to address.
If you’re worried about retaliation from your neighbor, discuss the matter with a city employee who is in charge of such things. Many municipalities either have a method where one can complain anonymously (via email or phone hotline) or complaints are kept confidential.
The National Association for Community Mediation assists neighbors with disputes by providing neutral 3rd party counselors to help people work through their issues. You can access their website at www.nafcm.org. There are other non-profit organizations (as well as for profit) that offer mediation services for warring individuals or groups. Search the Internet for groups in your area.
You can also look into taking your case to small claims court. Use caution with any option that involves a court of law though. If the matter is serious enough, then taking it to court may be necessary, but it should be used as a step of last resort. Judges don’t often look favorably on “frivolous” lawsuits, and going to court can be costly. Make sure it’s justified and well worth your while. If your neighbor’s actions are causing physical damage to your property, or impeding on your property rights, it’s one thing. But if your neighbor ran over a sprinkler head with his car, that’s a different matter that probably won’t be worth going to court over.
It’s also possible to sue an HOA or landlord due to a lack of response. Again, this is certainly a move of last resort due to the time and expenses involved. If the issue is serious enough, it may be worth considering. |
