Your new neighbor moves in and they seem nice and friendly right off the bat. You don’t see them too often, but they wave at you when you walk the dog and occasionally make small talk over the fence.
Though you don’t like to think about it, by virtue of your proximity, these people could become a substantial part of your life — and that’s not always a good thing. No matter how well things start, people do sometimes get into heated disputes with their neighbors. This can impact your entire life and how much you enjoy your very home. You need to know how it happens and what you can do.
To that end, here are the top five reasons for these disputes:
1. Noise disputes
When your neighbor’s band is practicing in the garage or they’re blasting music on the patio, it can really wear on you. Maybe you have a baby who can’t fall asleep. Maybe you have to get up early for work. Even when you don’t see your neighbor or physically interact with them, they can become a negative force in your life.
2. Disputes about pets
Have you ever lived next to someone whose dog barked at all hours of the day? What about the dog that constantly roamed around on your property, unconstrained? When people do not take proper care of their pets, they can become a massive inconvenience for everyone else.
3. Children disputes
Many times, arguments about children look similar to those about pets: People worry about kids running all over their property or trespassing on their land. They may also worry about vandalism or feel frustrated with how loud and unruly the children become. This is a delicate subject since parents love their children and tend to defend them.
4. Issues with appearance
When someone doesn’t take care of their property, it can become a visual nuisance. Maybe they leave numerous broken-down cars parked all over the lot. Maybe they don’t do any upkeep and the yard is a mess. Neighbors get tired of looking at an eyesore.
5. Property lines
These disputes may call for the use of an official survey to decide who is right and who is wrong. Property is incredibly valuable, and people in the United States have a strong sense of ownership. When it feels like a neighbor is taking advantage of them or violating their rights by encroaching on their land, it’s something they take seriously.
Your options
If you find yourself in a dispute with your neighbor for any reason, make sure you know what legal options you have. These cases can have a drastic impact on your future and your family home.
