If your neighbour is complaining about you

Summary

You should contact your nearest Citizens Advice if you've had an official warning or letter - for example from the council or your landlord. Get help if you're being evicted because your neighbour complained to your landlord. If you need help dealing with your neighbour, contact your nearest Citizens Advice for help. Find out what your neighbour is unhappy about and what they want you to do. Get as much information as possible, for example the dates and times of the problem and how it affects them. If the complaint came through someone else, for example your landlord, ask them for details of what your neighbour’s unhappy about. If your neighbour complained directly to you, you can speak to them in person or write a note - it depends what you feel comfortable with. If you speak to them in person, think about what you’re going to say first. You can take a friend with you for support. Sometimes it’s obvious your neighbour is wrong, for example they say you’re making noise but it’s coming from a different house. If you’re not sure whether their complaint is valid, there are ways you can check. If they want you to repair your wall or fence, check whether you need to. You can also check.

Key information

• the sound of you walking in your flat
• You should contact your nearest Citizens Advice if you've had an official warning or letter - for example from the council or your landlord.
• Get help if you're being evicted because your neighbour complained to your landlord.
• If you need help dealing with your neighbour, contact your nearest Citizens Advice for help.
• Find out what your neighbour is unhappy about and what they want you to do. Get as much information as possible, for example the dates and times of the problem and how it affects them.
• If the complaint came through someone else, for example your landlord, ask them for details of what your neighbour’s unhappy about.
• If your neighbour complained directly to you, you can speak to them in person or write a note - it depends what you feel comfortable with. If you speak to them in person, think about what you’re going to say first. You can take a friend with you for support.
• Sometimes it’s obvious your neighbour is wrong, for example they say you’re making noise but it’s coming from a different house.
• If you’re not sure whether their complaint is valid, there are ways you can check.
• If they want you to repair your wall or fence, check whether you need to. You can also check if you need to cut a tree or hedge.
• If your neighbour has complained about noise, pets, vandalism or rubbish, you should check you’re not doing anything that counts as ‘anti social behaviour’.
• It’s likely to be anti social behaviour if it causes ‘nuisance and annoyance’ to your neighbour, for example playing loud music late at night or putting rubbish in their garden.

Practical guidance

• Source: If your neighbour is complaining about you

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