Problems with neighbours

It can help to talk to your neighbour first, instead of reporting them to the council or the police.

If you report them without talking to them first, it could make your relationship with your neighbour more difficult.

You do not have to talk to your neighbour, especially if you think it would be unsafe or uncomfortable.

If you feel comfortable talking to your neighbour, tell them:

• what the problem is – for example, they play loud music at night.
• how it affects you – for example, you cannot get to sleep and you feel anxious and tired during the day.
• what you would like them to do – for example, stop playing loud music by 10pm.

You could also ask someone you trust to come with you. Or you could ask them to talk to your neighbour for you. 

If you talk to your neighbour by yourself, talk to someone you trust afterwards. It can be helpful to tell a friend or family member what your neighbour said and how you feel.

Write your neighbour a letter

You can also write a letter to your neighbour. Include:

• your name and your house or flat number so they know who you are
• what the problem is
• how it affects you
• what you would like them to do
• how they can contact you

Keep a copy of the letter so you remember what you said. You might want to use it as evidence later.

You can get help from a mediator if you cannot agree how to solve the problem with your neighbour.

A mediator is a professional who is trained to help people resolve disagreements. They are independent so they do not know either of you, and they do not take sides.

If you rent from a council or housing association, they might help you find a mediator. You might have to pay.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

You can also search for a mediator from the Civil Mediation Council.

There is no single definition of antisocial behaviour. It includes your neighbour doing things like:

• making a lot of noise
• leaving rubbish in your home, garden or in communal areas
• being in your home or garden without your permission
• being rowdy or inappropriate
• blocking access to your home or communal areas with vehicles, rubbish or other items 

Everyday noises like using a washing machine or a baby crying do not count as antisocial behaviour. Even if they make you feel uncomfortable.

If you think your neighbour is doing something that counts as antisocial behaviour, you can take action. This includes keeping records, telling your neighbour's landlord and making a complaint to the council.

Keep records

Keep records of your neighbour’s behaviour. Keep a diary on paper or on your phone with these details of each incident:

• date
• time
• where it happened
• what you were doing at the time
• how it affected you

You can ask your council or housing association for a diary to fill in.

You can also:

• take photos of rubbish or graffiti
• make videos or sound recordings on your smartphone.

This can help you if you want to make a complaint.

Tell your neighbour’s landlord 

If you know who your neighbour’s landlord is, you can contact them. If you do not know who your neighbour’s landlord is, or if they own their home, tell the council.

Your neighbour’s landlord will have processes to deal with antisocial behaviour. But they will not have processes to deal with noise. If the problem is about noise, talk to your neighbour if you can, or tell the council.

If you do not want to talk to your neighbour or if the problem continues after you talk to them, you could contact their landlord. This includes if they rent from a:

• housing association 
• council
• private landlord

If you are unhappy with the landlord’s response, you can contact the council.

Tell the council

If you do not know who your neighbour's landlord is, or if they own their home, you can report them to the council.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

When you contact the council, it can help to be ready to tell them:

• your address and your neighbour’s address
• what the problem is
• how it affects you
• if it affects your mental health or long-term condition
• how long it has been happening
• if you have spoken to anyone already, such as your neighbour, their landlord or the police
• if you have any records or evidence of the problem

It can help to ask them:

• what they will do to deal with the problem
• when they plan to deal with the problem
• what you can do if it gets worse

Antisocial behaviour case review

If the problem continues or gets worse, you can request an antisocial behaviour case review. These are also called:

• ASB case review
• the community trigger 

This is when the agencies like the council, the police and your landlord meet and discuss how to deal with the problem.

Antisocial behaviour case review (GOV.UK)

Ask your council or local police how to request an antisocial behaviour case review.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Contact the police (POLICE.UK)

You can get free advice and support from:

• the Scope helpline
• Citizens Advice
• Victim Support
• ASB Help advice and support for victims of antisocial behaviour

You might also be able to get help from an independent advocate if there are community advocates in your area.

Get help from an advocate

Citizens Advice has information on what to do if your neighbour is complaining about you.

If your neighbour is complaining about you (Citizens Advice)

If the problems with your neighbours cannot be fixed, you could think about moving home.

We have more information on housing options for disabled people.

Housing options for disabled people

If you rent from a council or housing association

If you rent from a council or housing association, you can apply to move to a new home. 

Applying for accessible council and housing association homes

Contact your local council to start an application.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Many councils use a banding system to decide who is high priority for getting a new home.

Council housing banding and bidding for homes

They might put you in a high priority band if you:

• feel unsafe or your mental health is affected by your neighbour’s behaviour
• are moving because of disability or a serious long-term health condition
• are legally homeless

Check the housing allocation policy on your council’s website to make sure you are in the correct priority band. If you think you are in the wrong band, you can challenge the council’s decision. 

If you think you have been put in the wrong housing band 

If you rent from a private landlord

Check your tenancy agreement. You might be able to end your contract early if you have problems with neighbours. If you cannot end your contract early, you might have to pay some money or lose your deposit if you move out.

If your tenancy agreement is not clear, contact Shelter for advice.

Get help (Shelter)

We have more information on private renting for disabled people.

How to afford rent 

You can also apply to be on the housing register for a council or housing association home.

Applying for accessible council and housing association homes

If you own your home

If you want to sell your home, you must declare any problems you have with neighbours. You must report any complaints you have made about your neighbours to the council or the police.

This could make it harder to sell the home. The buyer could make a claim against you if you do not tell them.

You can get support with finding homes and applying for them from your local council housing options team. 

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

You can also get free support and advice from:

• Shelter
• Citizens Advice
• Scope helpline