Your neighbors' dog barks between the hours of 3 and 5 A.M., their teenager's music rattles your windows on the weekends, and their trash ends up on your lawn.Asking bad neighbors to be more aware of their actions is an ideal way to deal with them.If you don't get where you want to go, you might have to take drastic measures, like talking to a lawyer or calling the cops.You can see Step 1 to learn how to deal with your neighbors.
Step 1: Let the neighbors know what's going on.
If you haven't told your neighbors, they might not even know you're being a bother.They are not going about their daily life while you are sitting there stewing and getting ready to boil over.Don't think they're being rude.Let them know what the issue is by knocking on the door.Make your point when you ask nicely.Instead of being vague, ask for what you want.You need to tell them what you want, otherwise they won't be able to read your mind and know your limits.Be willing to compromise.It's not practical to ask your neighbors to soundproof their garage because you might be happy to never hear the tuba player again.It's a good idea to use a complaint that they will be more sympathetic to.If you approach the neighbors with a problem and a willingness to talk about possible solutions, you'll have more success.
Step 2: When necessary, only communicate in writing.
You can leave a note or email if you can't reach your neighbors.The notes can be misinterpreted as aggressive messages.Sometimes a note is the best option if you can't get in touch with your neighbors in person.Most people will change their behavior to accommodate you.The note should be friendly in tone.Let your neighbor know that you want to find a solution that works for everyone.Put your phone number in the note and encourage your neighbor to call you.If your neighbor has any questions, you can get them answered right away.
Step 3: Pick your battles.
It won't go over well if you give your neighbors a laundry list of problems you want them to address.You must figure out what you can live with and what must change in order to present your neighbors with problems that are driving you crazy.You can either get to the smaller matters at a later date or learn to live with them once the main issues are solved.It isn't the easiest for them to change what's most annoying.If they've said the problem is hard to fix, ask for something simpler.
Step 4: Offer to help.
If you offer to help them make it happen, they might be more willing to do it.If you like a nice, neat yard and are tired of seeing unkempt weeds all summer long, you could offer to help them get the yard back in shape.Helping out can give the neighbors time to respond to your request, even if the problem isn't something you can fix yourself.If the neighbors can't fix their broken engine because they use their car all day, offer to drive them between the mechanic and their workplace or to run some errand for them while the car is being repaired.Don't ask for money or hire someone.People bristle at the idea that they can't afford to fix their own problems.
Step 5: Either way, follow up.
Give the neighbors a reasonable amount of time to fix the problem, perhaps a few days for minor tasks, or longer if you're asking for something time-consuming like fixing up their house's appearance.Return for a polite reminder if they haven't made an effort.They will be happy to have to do it if they are thanked or even given a small gift of food.Stop and think about an appropriate response when something happens.It's time for another complaint if the neighbors are still playing loud music.If the neighbors have been relatively quiet for a while and are about to throw a birthday party, give them earplugs and make them loud once a year.Even if it's just a wave and a hello, keep lines of communication open.Your neighbors won't listen to you if you show up only when there's a problem.
Step 6: Get help from other people.
If the neighbors show no signs of changing, this is a good step to take.It's possible that an issue is affecting everyone on the block or in the building.If your other neighbors are willing to sign a letter addressed to the neighbors at fault, you should talk to them.It is possible to get the bad neighbors to change by being approached by an entire group instead of a single person.This doesn't mean that you and your neighbors should storm the bad neighbors' house or apartment, because that could get out of hand and make the neighbor feel threatened.Group email can feel like we are against them.
Step 7: You should behave in a way that is neighborly.
Before you bring up the problem, make sure you don't do anything that could make other people nervous.You don't want to make the problem worse if there's bad blood between you.Don't pick them out, either.Ken and Janet should not be able to play music at 3 AM if you don't want them to.
Step 8: Give your neighbors a heads up.
If you are planning a late night event, you won't be able to keep up with yard work for a while, or anticipate any other issues that could bother your neighbors, let them know.If there are any issues, give them your phone number and have a quick conversation.If you just communicate you can change from intolerable to no problem.
Step 9: You should give your neighbors the benefit of the doubt.
Everyone has problems in their life, even if they aren't obvious to you.It can be hard for your neighbor to take the time out of their life to deal with another person's problems.Don't fall into the same trap.
Step 10: You should get to know them better.
Do you know your neighbor or not?It's hard to care about someone you've never met, and resentment can build quickly when neighbors don't bother forming a relationship with each other.If you want peace and quiet on the weekends, you should forge a relationship with your neighbor so you understand each other better and are more willing to be respectful.Seeing each other as people is a good start to increased neighborliness.Why don't you invite your neighbors for a meal?You can invite them to your cookout or pancake breakfast on a Saturday.Before making any requests, get to know each other.If they are a bit much, you could introduce yourself by taking over a bottle of wine or some home-baked cookies.
Step 11: The neighborhood should be improved.
If you want to repair relations with your neighbors, start planting flowers on a deserted lot, petition the local government about safety issues on your street, or organize a trash pickup.Give your neighbors the chance to be part of the project by reaching out to them.
Step 12: Only use them as a last resort.
These are drastic measures that are likely to take a long time to work, and make relations with your neighbors even worse.They are only suitable for people who have been hostile toward you, or people with a pattern of rude behavior who refuse to change it.You're going to have to live next to these people for a while; think carefully before you start a fight.
Step 13: If the problem you're facing is a violation of local law, document it.
If your neighbors weren't responsive when you asked, it's time to take drastic measures.If you have to involve the authorities, begin documenting the problem so you can back yourself up.Take pictures of property damage, take video of parties that spill into your yard after midnight, save emails and notes, and so on.It's a good idea to gather proof that your neighbors are engaging in illegal activity.You may want to let your neighbors know that you're doing this.They might need to stop pulling those stunts if they know you're hard on their trail.
Step 14: You should call the landlord.
It is possible to get the landlord involved if you live in an apartment building.Call the landlord to find out how your neighbor is affecting the peace in your home.The landlord could decide to evict the bad neighbors depending on the infraction.The landlord should discuss the issue with the bad neighbors so you don't have to keep complaining.Some landlords don't like having to deal with tenants' disputes, and may get annoyed at you for calling, so use your best judgement based on previous interactions with the landlord.
Step 15: Find out if they're breaking the law.
Determine what legal action is available to you if the bad neighbors don't change.Determine if your neighbor is breaking any laws by getting familiar with your local laws.You might be able to take action if your neighbor is in violation.Laws regarding property maintenance and noise violations can be found.
Step 16: Call the police or another authority.
The steps below are in "last resorts" territory.If you take this step, you will not be able to repair your relationship with your neighbors.Getting the police involved is one way to get your neighbors to change, but don't use them as personal dispute mediators.Call the non- emergency police number if the issue is loud music.The Homeowners Association can be contacted for unkempt yards.Code enforcement officers are responsible for maintaining compliance in most cities.
Step 17: Inform your neighbors if you're considering legal action.
Let the neighbors know that you plan to take legal action once you've determined that they are breaking the law.If you can't reach a compromise, tell them that you're going to take this to the next level.They probably won't want to get involved in legal issues, so just telling them you're prepared to file a lawsuit may make them change.
Step 18: Discuss your options with a lawyer.
Call a lawyer if you want to put your money where your mouth is.If you want to solve the problem, you have to decide if it's worth the headaches of legal fees and open contention with your neighbors.If you want to bring your neighbors to small claims court, you need to file a lawsuit with your lawyer.If nothing else, you can work out a deal with your landlord to get out of your lease.If you alert him to the situation and he doesn't do anything about it, he may let you go, even if you have a lawyer involved.You probably don't want to deal with hours of court time and court fees, so consider this compromise.