Everyone needs good neighbours but they appear to be thin on the ground in Newcastle if the results of a recent survey are anything to go by.
Comparison site Compare the Market found that nearly half (49%) of UK homeowners have encountered legal disputes or arguments. and the figure rises to 73% in Newcastle, with almost three quarters of households admitting they had fallen out with their neighbours in the past.
In fact, our city was top of the charts when it came to neighbourly discord, with second place going to Belfast (61%) and third place going to Glasgow (59%).
There must be something calming about living by the seaside, as the cities least likely to experience a neighbourly dispute are all located by the south coast. Just over a third (37%) of homeowners in Brighton have said they’ve previously had an issue with a neighbour - the lowest of all cities analysed - while 39% of people in both Southampton and Plymouth have said the same.
Age also plays a role in how likely you are to feud with a neighbour. Overall, 71% of those aged between 25 and 34 admitted to having experienced a neighbourly dispute, compared with only half (51%) of those aged between 45 and 54, and 35% of those aged over 55.
When experiencing an issue with a neighbour, it’s important to know your legal rights. Compare the Market's research found that people’s awareness of the best course of action differs a lot depending on the situation, but unsurprisingly, the most common way that homeowners deal with neighbourly issues is to speak to their neighbour directly, with 62% of people citing this as the way that they have resolved any previous disputes.
More than one in five (22%) homeowners would contact the police if a neighbour inflicted damage to their property. Younger generations are more likely to go straight to the police, with 27% of those aged between 16 and 34 suggesting that this is the best way to deal with damages incurred by a neighbour.
When it came to the dreaded nosy neighbour, 13% overall said they would also contact the police but over a quarter of 16 to 24 year olds, (27%) would choose to speak with them straight away in this situation.
Here we take a look at the most common causes of neighbourly disputes and how to resolve them
Noise complaints
Homeowners are most aware of their legal rights when it comes to noise complaints. Whether it be loud music, barking dogs, or noisy children, 51.5% of people surveyed stated they know the correct way to deal with any noise-related issues should they arise. Almost half (47%) said that when faced with noise issues, they would speak directly to their neighbour, and 15% of people would go straight to the council.
If you do find yourself struggling with noisy neighbours, you should always try to solve the problem by talking with them first, and then by using a mediation service if you can’t come to an agreement. If the situation continues, you can ask your council for help.
Broken fences
Should you have an issue with a broken fence and it’s a neighbour’s responsibility, 51% of people feel confident that they know the correct course of action to take. The first port of call should be to speak with your neighbour directly, but if it is deemed a safety hazard and they don’t repair it, you can report a dangerous wall or structure to your council. 65% of those surveyed would take the correct route and speak with their neighbour directly in the first instance.
Spotting Japanese Knotweed on a neighbour's property
When asked how they would deal with spotting Japanese Knotweed on their neighbour's property, 43% of those surveyed would speak to the neighbour directly, while 17% would go straight to the council. Interestingly, the majority of those aged between 16 and 24 would actually choose to go straight to the police if they spot the troublesome weed in the next-door's garden, with 18% of them saying this is how they would deal with the plant problem.
If you do happen to spot the plant, you must alert your neighbour first, as they might not be aware that it’s growing in their garden. You may only take legal action once they have been made aware of the issue and have failed to remove the Japanese Knotweed. Remember your neighbour isn’t legally required to remove the weed from their own property, but they are legally required to stop the spread onto anyone else’s land.
Nosy neighbours
When faced with nosy or intrusive neighbours, 54% of homeowners are unsure of their rights. Despite almost half (47%) of people stating they would speak with the neighbour first, 13% said they would contact the police. This option is preferred amongst 16 to 24-year-olds, with 27% of this age group choosing to call the police straight away in this situation. The best way to deal with intrusive neighbours is to speak with them directly but if you deem their behaviour anti-social, you can turn to your local council for support. If you feel like your neighbour has broken the law however, for example they’ve been violent or threatening towards you, then you should contact the police.
Damage to property
More than one in five (22%) homeowners would also contact the police if a neighbour inflicted damage to their property. Again the younger generations are more likely to call the police in the first instance, with 27% of those aged between 16 and 34, suggesting that contacting the police is the best way to deal with damages incurred by a neighbour.
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If you believe the damage was intentional, then you are well within your rights to contact the police. However, if the damage was accidental, you should speak with your neighbour about potentially paying for the repairs. If they refuse to pay, you may be able to take them to court.
If you’re unsure on the best course of action, Government websites and Citizens Advice are good places to find information on your legal rights, and contacting your local council could be an option if you need additional support to resolve the issue.
