Nuisance Neighbours & The 4 Things They Do
Living in a neighbourhood where there are minimal rules and regulations can have its downfalls. Covenants provided when purchasing your property are there to guide residents into living in a well established and rule-abiding neighbourhood. When such rules are not followed or acknowledged, it becomes difficult for someone to enjoy their space and home because of other neighbours. Therefore, it is imperative for one to understand, abide by and enforce basic measures to ensure that they do not disturb or bring any discomfort to those around them. The operative question is, why would you want to be a nuisance to your neighbour? To do so compromises values and disrupts harmony unnecessarily. Below are examples of things that bring about unease in neighbourhoods.
Noisy Dogs
A dog’s nature is to bark but continuous loud barking becomes an issue. When you come across an issue like this, talk to your neighbour politely and document your attempts. They may not even notice how loud their dog is. Offer solutions that may help the dog quiet down. An example is hiring a dog trainer. They may offer services that will help the dog calm down. The Police and Court are last resorts but sometimes may be necessary if a non-compliant neighbour does not obey your request.
Abandoned Vehicles
If an inactive or derelict vehicle is left on your property for an inordinate period of time, it should be towed away. It is unsightly and may attract undesirables. There are many informed neighbours that are aware of laws governing abandoned vehicles. If one is guilty of harbouring abandoned vehicles, at the request of your neighbour and even without, why not do the right thing and remove it. Be aware of the impact such behaviour has on your community.
Rowdy Neighbours
This is one of the most common nuisances you can find in neighbourhoods. Some people like to host their friends and families, others like to play loud music. It all comes down to how you go about confronting them and informing them of the effect it has on those around them. Talk to them, they may be able to reason and understand why it is a problem. If that first conversation does not go well, keep track of the nuisances and contact whoever is able to assist in the matter. If it escalates, the police may be able to assist where necessary. The last resort would be taking legal action. A lawyer can assist you in evaluating which claims are best suited for the situation you are in, to get the best possible results.
Incomplete Houses
There is a practice of many who build homes, usually which they cannot afford, or even if they can, to build outside of what building permits and restrictive covenants prohibit. Often when such homes are next to a neighbour(s) whose home(s) is/are well kept, if and when they decide to sell or rent, frequently, they are unable to do so because potential buyers or renters do NOT want to live next to or among such unsightly properties. The clear message here is to finish home construction within legally allowed periods so that community and neighbouring property values are not compromised and a neighbour(s) is/are not put in a position where they cannot rent or sell their homes. Would you like this to happen to you?
There are many unique nuisances that you may come across that you will need to deal with in a composed and responsible manner. Ultimately, everyone wants to live comfortably in their home and also be able to do what they want without disturbing those around them. Quiet peaceful enjoyment is a legal right and no one should disrespect or prevent that.