Neighbours, Noise & Anti-social Behaviour
At a Glance
Most people get on well with their neighbours, but disputes can arise from excessive noise, threatening behaviour, harassment, vandalism or other forms of anti-social behaviour.
Living next to difficult neighbours can have a serious impact on your wellbeing and enjoyment of your home. While landlords and councils can sometimes help, the right course of action depends on who is causing the problem and the nature of their behaviour.
This guide explains what anti-social behaviour is, who is responsible for dealing with it and the steps you can take if you’re affected.
What Is Anti-social Behaviour?
Anti-social behaviour (often shortened to ASB) is behaviour that causes harassment, alarm or distress to other people.
It can include persistent behaviour that interferes with your ability to peacefully enjoy your home.
Examples include:
- Excessive loud music.
- Frequent late-night parties.
- Threatening or intimidating behaviour.
- Harassment.
- Verbal abuse.
- Criminal damage.
- Drug-related activity.
- Persistent shouting or aggressive arguments.
- Fly tipping.
- Repeated vandalism.
- Deliberately intimidating neighbours.
Not every disagreement between neighbours is anti-social behaviour. The key question is whether the behaviour is persistent, unreasonable or serious enough to affect others.
Everyday Living vs Anti-social Behaviour
It’s important to understand that some level of everyday noise is normal when living near other people.
Examples include:
- Children playing.
- People walking around their home.
- Doors closing.
- Household appliances.
- Occasional DIY during reasonable hours.
- Babies crying.
These everyday activities would not normally be considered anti-social behaviour simply because they can be heard.
However, behaviour that is excessive, persistent or deliberately disruptive may become anti-social behaviour depending on the circumstances.
Problems Caused by Neighbours
Problems can arise from many different situations.
Common complaints include:
Noise
- Loud music.
- Parties.
- Shouting.
- Barking dogs.
- Power tools late at night.
Harassment
Examples include:
- Repeated verbal abuse.
- Threats.
- Intimidation.
- Following someone.
- Deliberately targeting a neighbour.
Property Damage
This may include:
- Broken fences.
- Damaged vehicles.
- Graffiti.
- Criminal damage.
- Deliberate vandalism.
Nuisance
Such as:
- Rubbish accumulating.
- Offensive smells.
- Bonfires creating excessive smoke.
- Persistent obstruction of shared areas.
If the Person Causing the Problem Is Your Landlord's Tenant
If the neighbour is renting from the same landlord, your landlord may be able to help.
For example, they may:
- Speak to the other tenant.
- Investigate complaints.
- Remind tenants of their tenancy obligations.
- Take tenancy enforcement action where appropriate.
However, your landlord cannot automatically solve every dispute between neighbours, particularly where there is conflicting evidence.
Provide as much information as possible so they can investigate fairly.
If the Person Isn't Your Landlord's Tenant
If the neighbour owns their property or rents from someone else, your landlord may have little or no control over their behaviour.
Depending on the situation, you may need to contact:
- The local council.
- The police.
- The neighbour’s landlord (if known).
- A housing association.
Who you contact depends on the type of behaviour involved.
What Evidence Should You Collect?
Keeping good records can make it much easier for your landlord, the council or the police to understand what’s happening.
Useful evidence includes:
- A diary of incidents.
- Dates and times.
- Photographs where appropriate.
- Videos or recordings (where lawful and relevant).
- Messages or letters.
- Details of any witnesses.
- Crime reference numbers.
Try to remain factual and avoid exaggerating events.
Who Should You Contact?
Different organisations deal with different problems.
Your landlord
If the person causing the problem is another tenant renting from the same landlord.
Your local council
For issues such as:
- Statutory noise nuisance.
- Fly tipping.
- Environmental health concerns.
- Certain anti-social behaviour.
The council may investigate and, where appropriate, take enforcement action.
The police
Contact the police immediately if there is:
- Violence.
- Threats.
- Criminal damage.
- Hate crime.
- Drug offences.
- Domestic abuse affecting your safety.
- Any situation where you believe a crime has been committed.
If someone is in immediate danger, always call 999.
For non-emergencies, contact 101 or report online.
Can I End My Tenancy Because of Bad Neighbours?
Not automatically.
Problems with neighbours do not usually bring a tenancy to an end or remove your obligation to pay rent.
However, if the issues are extremely serious and your landlord has legal responsibilities they have failed to meet, you should seek independent legal advice before making any decisions about leaving the property.
What If My Landlord Doesn't Help?
If your landlord has the ability to investigate – for example, because the neighbour is also their tenant but fails to engage with your complaint, keep a record of your communications.
Depending on the circumstances, you may also wish to:
- Contact your local council.
- Report criminal behaviour to the police.
- Seek independent legal advice.
- Contact a mediation service if the dispute may be capable of being resolved informally.
Not every neighbour dispute is something a landlord can legally resolve.
Resolving Problems Amicably
Where it’s safe to do so, many disputes can be resolved by speaking to your neighbour calmly and politely.
Sometimes people aren’t aware that they’re disturbing others.
If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to them directly, consider writing a polite note or asking whether a mediation service is available in your area.
However, if the behaviour involves threats, intimidation or violence, you should avoid confronting the individual and seek appropriate help instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
My neighbour plays loud music every weekend. What should I do?
Start by keeping a diary of incidents. If the problem continues, report it to the appropriate organisation, which may be your landlord or your local council depending on who the neighbour is.
Can my landlord evict another tenant because they’re noisy?
Possibly, but not simply because a complaint has been made.
Landlords generally need evidence and must follow the correct legal process before taking enforcement action against another tenant.
Should I record my neighbours?
You can keep evidence where appropriate, but avoid doing anything that could escalate the situation or interfere with other people’s privacy. Written records are often just as valuable.
My neighbour threatened me. Who should I contact?
If you feel unsafe or believe a criminal offence has occurred, contact the police.
Call 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-emergency matters.
Can I stop paying rent because of bad neighbours?
No.
Problems with neighbours do not normally remove your obligation to pay rent.
Key Takeaways
- Not every disagreement between neighbours is anti-social behaviour.
- Keep clear records of incidents and report problems promptly.
- Your landlord may be able to help if the person causing the problem is also their tenant.
- Local councils deal with many environmental and noise issues.
- The police should be contacted where criminal behaviour or immediate safety concerns exist.
- Continue paying your rent while any dispute is being investigated.
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