We’ve all experienced that sense of rising friction with our neighbours once in a while, whether it’s because of the pumping drum and bass at four in the morning, the recycling bin they never bring back inside, or, perhaps, something you’ve done to rub them up the wrong way.
When it comes to peaceful coexistence with your neighbour, life sure does get complicated, and simply trying to live in peace with your neighbour rarely feels, well simple, with rows erupting over property disputes, noise, and street etiquette, sometimes all seemingly at once.
It doesn’t have to be this way – we’re all adults here, after all. When trying to deal with things like property disputes, there is a lot you can do to make sure that you handle them calmly and maturely – to the benefit of all parties involved. So, with that being said, let’s get started; here’s how to handle a dispute with your neighbour calmly.
What Is A Property Dispute?
A typical property dispute can occur for a number of reasons. Essentially, a property dispute is a situation that you can get into with your neighbour when the two of you have an argument regarding something that is affecting both of your properties.
There are plenty of situations in which a property dispute can occur, especially when one party is making changes or modifications to the property.
If your neighbour feels that the actions you are posing a threat to the value or structural integrity of their home, you can find yourself embroiled in a property dispute.
What Can Cause a Dispute Over Property?
It’s important to understand there are many different things which can cause a property dispute. Working out what the best route of action to take is will depend upon the type of dispute that you are having. Here are some of the most common:
- Construction Work
Construction work is one of the most common instances where the threat of a property dispute crops up. If you perform work on your property, and do so without consulting your neighbour, they may feel that they have a claim to raise a dispute with you regarding potential damage done to the property.
You see, it’s all about the party wall. This is the part of the property which technically you own as well as your neighbour, and if you would do something that might make changes to this party wall, your neighbour can complain. This most commonly occurs during loft conversions.
- Noise
Noise complaints can quickly become a difficult problem to resolve. It’s often the case that when it comes to noise, some neighbours skip trying to resolve the situation peacefully and jump straight into an argument. If this happens to you, then you should definitely look at conflict resolution, potentially via the RCS’ Neighbour Disputes Service.
- Antisocial Behaviour
If something you do is considered to be antisocial to your neighbour then they may try to initiate a property dispute, or simply develop an issue with you as a person. Naturally, this is not something you want to happen, which is why it can be important to try and keep an eye on behaviour which could be seen as antisocial.
According to the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 and Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, antisocial behaviour is defined as ‘behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person’. Some examples include excessive noise, graffiti, drinking or drug use that leads to trouble being caused, littering, and racism, according to Shelter Scotland.
The Best Way To Address A Dispute
Let’s be honest – nobody wants to engage in a dispute with a neighbour. It’s often a bitter, problematic process.
There are a couple of different ways that you can engage in sensible conflict resolution with the result of settling the tension between you and your neighbour.
The best thing that you can do to try and resolve the conflict peacefully is to open a dialogue with your neighbour. Sit down, talk about what it is that upset them, and see if you can find a peaceful solution together.
Obviously, the end goal should be to try and avoid getting into a conflict with them, but if you have to do so, then the courts may be a necessary step for legally resolving an issue.
Handling A Dispute With Your Neighbour Calmly
So, property disputes with your neighbour can be a difficult thing to try and resolve. Obviously, you want to make sure that you and your neighbour get on to the best of your ability, but this isn’t always possible.
For whatever reason, your neighbour may decide that they have an issue with you, and if they do, you need to find a method of peaceful resolution. If that doesn’t work, then you have access to the court system, and you can use this to secure the right outcome for the situation.
*Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained legal professional. Be sure to consult a lawyer/solicitor if you’re seeking advice on dispute resolution. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.*