What Are the Most Common Neighbor Disputes?
If you’ve ever had to listen to a party go on for hours when you’re trying to get some shut eye, you’ll know that one of the most common neighbor disputes is regarding noise. Noise is the most common complaint between neighbors. Noise complaints can stem from parties, pets, children, housework, and more. Thankfully, noise is also one of the easiest disputes to resolve.
Other common disputes can have to do with properties and their boundaries. Complaints can stem from the appearance of someone’s home, or suspected health code and building codes. Many neighbors might complain about a nearby home’s disheveled appearance, offensive decor, and more.
Additionally, disputes can arise from property boundaries, and what you’re allowed to do on what part of the property. Property line disputes and boundary line disputes are a common neighborhood complaint.
Other miscellaneous neighbor complaints can include parking, criminal behavior, pet behavior, and child behavior. While these are the most common complaints, there are certainly more things neighbors can find to complain about.
How to Deal With Obnoxious Neighbors
There are many different ways to deal with annoying or obnoxious neighbors, from ignoring it, to confronting them, to suing them. Now, while legal action shouldn’t be your first course of action, know that court or mediation can be an option if things progress past the point of no return.
One of the simplest courses of action is to simply talk to your neighbor about your complaint. If they’re partying until all hours every night, there’s probably no harm in asking them to keep it down after a certain time.
Sometimes, people might not even be aware that they’re being annoying, and a simple conversation can solve things. A calm conversation with your neighbors can also resolve disputes regarding property boundaries and other simple complaints.
However, if you think there might be criminal activity going on, worry about someone’s safety, or think confrontation could lead to violence, you can contact the authorities. Now, calling law enforcement shouldn’t be taken lightly - you don’t need to call the cops every time your neighbor leaves dog droppings on your lawn - but know that they can be there to shut down constant noise or criminal activity.
Other types of escalation could include contacting your HOA, or discussing mediation or court. Legal action shouldn’t be taken lightly, so make sure you’ve explored other avenues before taking your neighbor to court.
Conclusion
Annoying neighbors are a part of life, but know that you have options for combatting neighbor disputes.