Your neighbours have a dog which seems to bark incessantly – or wakes you up very early in the morning.  Or your neighbours are very noisy, with music, shouting or other noise which is at unsocial hours. Maybe your neighbour has dumped rubbish or is using your garden without permission. Or maybe they have been harassing you because of your race, religion, or sexuality. Or perhaps it’s “just” your neighbour’s trees which are causing you a problem.

Whatever the problem is, the best way to start , if you feel safe to do so, is by talking to your neighbour informally, as they may not have been aware of that what has been happening has upset you. 

If this doesn’t solve the problem, if you haven’t already started, keep records of when the nuisance occurs, and for how long as this will help if you need to take further action.

Do contact the police if your neighbour has been violent or threatening.  If you think it is because of your race, religion or sexuality, this may be a hate crime or incident which you can report to the police in the normal way or online via or at Citizens Advice Bracknell.

You might find using a Mediator can resolve the situation – someone who is independent from both of you.  This may have a cost.

Is the behaviour anti-social?  You could check if it is by talking to your local Citizens Advice.  If it is, and your neighbour is renting, you could contact the landlord. If you don’t know who the landlord is, or they are home owners, you can go straight to the council to report the behaviour. In either case you will need to give the neighbour’s name, address, describe the behaviour and if you’ve made a record send a copy of it.

High hedges, trees & boundaries – try and talk to your neighbour and come to some agreement first.  If the problem is 2 or more mostly evergreen trees or shrubs which are over 2 meters tall and affecting your enjoyment of your home or garden due to their height you can ask your council for a complaint form but the Government advice on high hedges.

There are several good websites you can look at for more information.

Complaining about your neighbour

Neighbour Disputes

Problem Neighbours