Most renters live in close proximity to their neighbors, and this closeness can lead to conflicts. Often, these conflicts are about noise or smoke, but they could also be related to unruly pets or even plain old scary behavior. But what are you supposed to do when you have a problem with a neighbor?
First, the best-case scenario is working out the problem with your neighbor. So long as you don’t think your neighbor is a threat to your safety, calmly discussing the issue is often the best way to resolve the issue. It is best to approach these conversations in a calm and friendly manner, and to avoid casting accusations or blame. IF you can manage this sort of friendly conversation, there is a good chance you can find a solution to whatever problem there is that works for everyone involved.
However, if you can’t work out the problem directly with the neighbor or feel unsafe talking to them, then you’ll need to look at alternative options for addressing the issue. If you and your neighbor share a landlord, bringing the problem to the landlord may be the next best option. Most leases require tenants to avoid disturbing any neighbor’s peaceful enjoyment of their property. If this is the case, your neighbor may be in violation of their lease due to their obnoxious behavior. Keeping a record of the disturbances, when they happened, and how they impacted you can be a great way to make sure your landlord understands the extent of the issue and can takes steps to address it.
If your neighbor is not renting from the same landlord, or even is the owner of the neighboring property, there may still be some legal options available to you. Many communities have homeowners’ associations or city ordinances which contain noise ordinances or requirements on lawn maintenances. If you find that your neighbor is violating these ordinances, you can contact the HOA or your city’s code enforcement department.
However, if your neighbor is acting threateningly, is causing damage to property, or you have reason to believe they have been engaging in illegal activity, involving the police may be your best option. You do not need to reveal that you are the neighbor when you inform police, but there is a good chance they ask you questions when you arrive. If you can document evidence of your neighbor’s criminal activity (i.e. through pictures or a doorbell camera), this will reduce the likelihood for police relying on you as a witness. This can be beneficial, as it means you calling the police is less likely to be revealed to the neighbor.
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