“That’s when good neighbours become good friends…” or at least they do on TV. And while many of us may strive to have – at the very least – a civil relationship with our neighbours, sometimes disputes arise. In this article we find out how to prevent and deal with neighbourhood disputes, so you can keep the peace.

What are Neighbourhood Disputes?

Barking dogs, all-night parties, long grass or overhanging trees are just some of the scenarios that can lead to neighbourhood disputes.

While we all want to feel safe and comfortable in our home, living in a close proximity to others (especially in urban areas) can sometimes cause friction. You may want to fix lawn mowers from home, while your neighbour seeks a quiet sanctuary. A neighbourhood dispute typically arises when the actions of one (or more) residents impacts on another.

What Causes Neighbourly Disputes?

As well as the aforementioned situations, common causes of neighbourly disputes include:

• Changes to boundaries, in particular fences

• Renovations

• The behaviour of children or teenagers

• Noisy or messy pets

• Dirty blocks

• Parking disruptions

• Invasion of privacy

Often disputes aren’t resolved when neighbours fail to communicate with one another, launch verbal attacks or threats, damage property, spread rumours or bully other residents.

How to Prevent Neighbourhood Disputes

Perhaps the simplest way to avoid a neighbourhood dispute is to meet and get to know your neighbours. You don’t have to become firm friends if you don’t want to, but you should know them well enough to say hello and talk about any problems that arise.

Here are a few other tops tips for keeping the peace:

• Always let your neighbours know if you plan to do something that may impact on them. They’ll appreciate being consulted and you’ll be more likely to come to a beneficial solution for all parties.

• Try to talk with your neighbour about your issue before consulting the council or police. Often people aren’t aware they are disrupting others and are happy to come to a compromise.

• Steer clear of insulting, blaming or persecuting the person. Instead, focus on the problem. Your neighbours may be less defensive if you don’t make it personal.

• Focus on the things you can change, and not the things that you can’t.

If you follow these steps and still have issues with a neighbour, contact your local council to seek their advice.