Problems with neighbours can cover a wide range of situations, from playing loud music and rubbish dumping in communal areas to violent and abusive behaviour.

This information explains about the type of problems

We expect you to try to sort out yourself those that are best dealt with by other agencies and ways in which we can help.

If you are suffering from harassment that is deliberate behaviour intended to intimidate, dominate or harm especially if you feel it has an underlying racial, sexual or anti-disability motive, then you should contact your Housing Management Officer immediately.

We have a Good Neighbour Charter which all tenants are invited to sign. It gives advice on what you can do to help promote a peaceful life for everyone. On some of our developments, residents have signed a 'Mutual Aid' compact agreeing to provide support and assistance to their neighbours.

Trying to solve the problem yourself

Most problems with neighbours can best be settled by talking and explaining politely that their behaviour is causing you a problem. When you approach your neighbour it is important to stay calm and not get involved in an argument. If things get heated, it's best to walk away.

Collecting evidence

As well as approaching your neighbour you should start to collect evidence. This will be useful if you want to take further action yourself or if we are able to take action. You will need to record the type of problem, if anyone else witnessed it, the time and date it occurred; how long it lasts and how the incident has affected you. Ask your Housing Management Officer to give you a diary sheet to use. If you think other neighbours are being affected by the problem, you may want to approach them and see if they are willing to fill in diary sheets as well.

Contacting other agencies

We will always work in partnership with you to try to resolve a neighbour problem. However, if trying to sort out the problem informally with your neighbours has not worked, you could try taking action yourself involving other agencies.

The following are common problem areas and the agencies to contact.

Noise problems

Recurring noise problems are best dealt with by the local authority's environmental health service. They will advise you what action is possible.

Dog problems

Dog owners have a duty to keep their dog properly controlled and make sure it does not cause a nuisance. Dangerous dogs should be reported to the police. You should contact the local authority's dog warden service for problems about stray dogs or dog fouling.

Children

There is little that can be done about babies crying and children playing except to talk to their parents. If children cause damage to property or are involved in other illegal activities such as drug abuse and joyriding, then you should contact the police.

Abandoned vehicles

You should contact your local authority, which has the power to remove unlawfully abandoned vehicles if they are on the public road. If the vehicle is abandoned on our land, you should contact us and we will make arrangements for its removal.

If you are thinking about taking your own legal action you should get advice from a law centre, Citizen Advice Bureau or solicitor.

How we can help

We recognise that some problems between neighbours can be distressing. We do expect you to approach your neighbour first before coming to us. If you have tried this, or if the problem is serious and you do not want to contact your neighbour directly, then you should contact us. We will always work in partnership with you to try to resolve a neighbour problem.

We will discuss possible options with you including:

The use of an independent mediation service

Both you and your neighbour would need to agree to this. You may also wish to contact a local mediation service to discuss your difficulties. They may be able to help you negotiate a solution with your neighbour. Face to Face Mediation is based in York and can be contacted on 01904 553838.

By completing diary sheets or us interviewing other neighbours affected by the problem.

We will not take any action without your agreement. We will keep full written records about the case. Rarely there may be a threat of violence, abuse or other retribution against someone who has complained. If you or the Trust feel that this is a real possibility, we will do all we can to ensure that your anonymity is maintained and your security protected.

If we don't think we can help by taking any action, we will explain this to you. If you are not happy with this decision, you can use our complaints procedure.

Our legal powers to deal with nuisance

We have three legal options:

• apply for an injunction against your neighbour to stop them causing a nuisance
• apply for a possession order (eviction) against your neighbour

Work with the local authority and the police to take action under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. This could include getting an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

If we apply to the court for an injunction or a possession order or if action is taken under the Crime and Disorder Act, then we have to prove two things:

• that nuisance is taking place and
• that it is serious enough for an injunction, a possession order or an Anti- Social Behaviour Order to be granted.

We will need a lot of supporting evidence and witnesses prepared to appear in court. This may mean that you and/or other neighbours will need to appear as witnesses. However, it is possible to rely on evidence from 'professional witnesses', from members of staff or other agencies.