58. Disputes and complaints

Property disputes and complaints can arise in various situations involving neighbours, landlords, tenants, and property owners. These conflicts often stem from disagreements over property rights, usage, or maintenance. 

Common issues in property disputes and complaints 

• Boundary disputes: Occur when there's disagreement about where property lines lie, often leading to conflicts over fences, walls, or encroachments onto neighbouring land. 
• Noise complaints: Arise when noise from neighbouring properties becomes excessive, causing disturbances and affecting the quality of life for residents. 
• Property maintenance disputes: Involve disagreements over the upkeep of properties, such as unkempt gardens, neglected buildings, or blocked drains impacting neighbouring properties. 
• Party wall disputes: Concern shared walls or structures between properties, particularly in cases of construction work or damage affecting adjoining properties. 
• Right of way disputes: Revolve around access rights to paths, driveways, or passages on another's property, often leading to conflicts over usage or obstruction. 
• Tenant-landlord disputes: Arise between tenants and landlords over issues like rent payments, lease terms, repairs, or evictions. 
• Planning and development disputes: Involve objections to planning permissions or concerns about the impact of new developments on neighbouring properties. 
• Nuisance complaints: Stem from activities or conditions on a property causing annoyance or harm to others, such as Odours, pollution, or pest infestations. 
• Environmental and health complaints: Relate to environmental hazards or health risks on a property, including hazardous waste, pollution, or unsanitary conditions. 

Resolving property disputes and complaints 

• Direct communication: Engage in open discussions with the other party to find a mutually agreeable solution to the issue at hand. 
• Mediation: Seek assistance from a neutral third party to facilitate discussions and help parties reach a resolution outside of court. 
• Legal action: If direct communication or mediation fails, consider pursuing legal remedies through the courts to resolve the dispute. 
• Involvement of authorities: Contact local authorities or regulatory bodies for assistance in resolving issues related to regulatory violations, public nuisances, or environmental concerns.