How to Deal With Bad Neighbours

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Bad neighbours can be extremely hard to deal with.
Everyone has, or has had a neighbour that they wanted to move out of the neighbourhood. Here's a few tips on how to deal with them.

Steps

1. Talking to them can be one of the most effective solutions. Sometimes people don't realize what they are doing wrong and will stop when informed.
   
2. If this doesn't work, you could call an authority. If it's loud music, call the non-emergency police number, or for unkempt yards, call the Homeowners Association (where applicable) or the city nuisance abatement officer. Most cities have nuisance abatement, or code enforcement officers, who are responsible for maintaining code compliance.
   
3. If they're renters, talk to their landlord about the disruptive behaviour.
   
4. Get many homeowners in the neighborhood to talk to the person. This reiterates that it isn't just you they annoy.
   
5. If they damaged your property, consider suing, but only in extreme circumstances. Contact law enforcement if there is damage, and ask for a police log entry to assist with insurance claims.

Tips

• Do not be afraid to contact authorities. You won't be considered a tattletale if it's bothering most of the neighborhood.
• Put up a fence, if pets are your problem, then this will keep them out of your yard. If their yard looks horrible, put up a 4 foot, non-transparent fence.
  
• Check your local laws using the town website; sometimes local laws are published on "http://www.e-codes.generalcode.com/". Armed with your city ordinances, you can request the police to enforce laws on blocked sidewalks, dog feces, etc.

Warnings

• Never threaten, it will just make matters worse.
  
• Do not "fight fire with fire". An arms race only works if only one side has a nuclear option. Chances are you do not.
  
• Stay on your own property, as trespassing will just incite them. Walking to someone's front door is allowed, but walking into a yard is illegal.

Related wikiHows

• How to Be a Good Neighbour
• How to Deal With a Noisy Neighbour
  
• How to Deal With Your Neighbour's Unsightly Property
  
• How to Prevent a Bad Neighbour from Visiting You Without Being Rude
  
• How to Get Neighborhood Children to Knock Before Entering

Sources and Citations

• Repect.gov.uk - a website run by the British government to give advice on tackling anti-social behaviour.

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