Unfortunately, for many people disputes with neighbours are a fact of life. Disagreements can arise over everything from boundaries to repairs, noise levels and parking spaces. Knowing what to do if you have an issue with one of your neighbours isn’t always easy.
Legal experts The Law House point out that property law can be confusing, and disputes often occur because people are not clear on their obligations and their rights. The good news is, there is help at hand. You can find detailed information guides online that can give you a clearer idea of how to settle these disputes, and if you need further advice, you can contact a solicitor. Meanwhile, the following brief guide on how to handle a dispute with a neighbour will give you a general overview of how best to handle these problems.
Try talking first
For the majority of disputes, the best course of action to begin with is to simply talk to the people involved. Having an informal discussion could enable you to resolve the issue without causing unnecessary conflict. If you’re nervous about approaching your neighbours, you could write a letter to them explaining your grievance. If the problem affects other people too, try to get them involved. It’s often easier to settle disputes if a number of households complain.
Use mediation
If this informal approach doesn’t work, you may benefit from trying a mediation service. This involves a trained, impartial individual acting as a referee in your disagreement. The specialist will hear both sides of the argument and try to help you come to an arrangement that both parties are satisfied with. There can be a fee for this service, but it’s cheaper than taking formal legal action and it can be less stressful too.
Consider legal action
If all other routes fail, you may have to threaten official legal action. Bear in mind that a letter from a solicitor may be enough to make your neighbour realise you are not simply going to drop your complaint. However, if you get to this stage, you have to be prepared for the possibility of going to court, so you should budget for the associated costs. Specialist solicitors will be able to give you all the guidance you need and advise you on the best way to approach legal action.
As a general rule, it’s best to try to resolve disputes without getting as far as court, but if your neighbour simply won’t address your concerns, this may be your only option.
