Neighbour disputes | Berneslai Homes

Article: Neighbour disputes

 What is a neighbour dispute?

When a person becomes a tenant they agree to follow the conditions in their tenancy agreement. They agree to behave in a respectful way and not cause nuisance and annoyance to their neighbours.

The tenant is responsible for their own behaviour and the behaviour of anyone living with them or visiting them. This means we can take action not only when a neighbouring tenant is acting anti-socially, but if their children or their visitors are causing you problems.

We take neighbour complaints and any other form of anti-social behaviour seriously. We will work with you and others to resolve problems. If you experience a problem with your neighbour you should report this to your local housing office.

Neighbour disputes cause real misery for people who simply want to get on with their lives. It ranges from serious acts of violence and harassment, to more 'everyday' incidents like noisy dogs or overgrown gardens. We will deal quickly and efficiently with troublemakers.

Who does this affect?

Any council tenant or any resident being affected by the actions of a council tenant or their family/visitors.

What can you do if you have a problem with your neighbour?

You can inform us of the problems you are suffering by contacting Berneslai Homes by:

• Visiting or telephoning your local Barnsley Connects Office.     
• In writing to Berneslai Homes, Gateway Plaza, PO Box 627, Barnsley, S70 9FZ.  
• By emailing your local Housing Management Teams.    

How can you help us?

• By providing as much information as possible.
• By completing neighbour dispute incident report forms.
• By completing any documentary evidence such as diary sheets.
• By providing video/photographic evidence if appropriate.
• By being prepared to attend County Court.

What will happen after you have reported it?

Your Housing Management Team will then contact you to discuss the matter further and agree an action plan.

This could include any of the following.

• We may ask you to keep a diary and log events over a period of time. 
• We may arrange for you and your neighbours to take part in some mediation. 
• This may be with a representative of the Housing Management Team or a professional mediation service. 
• The aim is to help you and your neighbours discuss the situation and come up with a solution. 
• If you do not take part in this process we may not be able to find an amicable way to resolve the situation.

We may ask you to contact the police, helpline number Tel: 101.

How quickly will we contact you?

We aim to contact you within 5 working days, to most of the reports we receive. But in serious cases we aim to respond within 24 hours.

Who else can help me?

For Pollution Control contact: Tel: (01226) 772458 or email: pollutioncontrol@barnsley.gov.uk

What leaflets are available on this?

• Your tenancy
• Tenancy Agreement
• Introductory Tenancies
• Dealing with anti social behavior and neighbourhood nuisance leaflet
• We have served you a Notice of Seeking Possession - What happens next? what happens next?
• We have given you a notice of possession proceedings what happens next?

Leaflets and application forms are also available from your local Barnsley Connects

Alternatively you can pick up a copy of the leaflet/s from your local  Barnsley Connects Office.

Which laws apply to this?

• Public Health Act
• Housing Act 1985
• Housing Act 1996
• Housing Act 2004
• Crime and Disorder Act 1998
• Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

Where can I get other information?

You can get useful information from the following sources:  

• Environmental Health  
• BMBC Planning