Complaining about your neighbour

Summary

Contact the police if you think your neighbour has broken the law - for example, they’ve been violent or threatening. Call 999 if the crime is still happening or 101 to report a crime later. If you think your neighbour’s making trouble because you're transgender or because of your disability, race, religion or sexuality, it could be a hate crime or hate incident. You can check what to do if you’ve experienced a hate crime or incident. Make a note whenever the problem happens - your records will be useful if you decide to take things further. Write as much detail as possible. Include what happened, the length of time and how it affected you. For example, ‘22 June - dogs barking from 10:15am to 12:35pm. Loud enough to hear in living room - had to turn up my radio’. Keep any messages your neighbour sends you and collect evidence if you feel safe to. For example, take a photo of rubbish that’s been dumped in your garden. Only talk to your neighbour if you feel safe and comfortable. It’s quicker to talk face to face - but you can write, text or call if that’s easier. You can take someone with you for support. Tell your neighbour how their behaviour is affecting you and what would help.

Key information

• have a dog that barks a lot or causes trouble
• use your garden without permission
• harass you because of religion, race, sex, disability or another characteristic
• you don't know whether your neighbour rents or owns
• they rent but you don't know who from
• what you’ve done to try and solve it
• who else you’ve reported it to
• Contact the police if you think your neighbour has broken the law - for example, they’ve been violent or threatening.
• Call 999 if the crime is still happening or 101 to report a crime later.
• If you think your neighbour’s making trouble because you're transgender or because of your disability, race, religion or sexuality, it could be a hate crime or hate incident. You can check what to do if you’ve experienced a hate crime or incident.
• Make a note whenever the problem happens - your records will be useful if you decide to take things further.
• Write as much detail as possible. Include what happened, the length of time and how it affected you. For example, ‘22 June - dogs barking from 10:15am to 12:35pm. Loud enough to hear in living room - had to turn up my radio’.

Practical guidance

• Source: Complaining about your neighbour

Related topics