Neighbourly Disputes Jargon Buster

Dispute

A disagreement or argument, in this case between neighbours.

Statutory Nuisance

Something that, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, unreasonably affects somebody’s use and enjoyment of their home – for instance, loud noise at unsociable hours.

Noise

Abatement

Notice

This can be served by the local authority to someone making enough noise to amount to a statutory nuisance. The notice requires that the noise needs to be stopped altogether or limited to certain times of the day.

Fly-tipping

To illegally dump waste, for instance on the street outside your home.

Vermin

Pest or nuisance wild animals that either carry disease, such as rats or are harmful to crops and farms, such as foxes.

Harassment

Aggressive pressure and intimidating behaviour. It includes verbal threats, violence, spreading rumours and anything that puts a person in fear of their safety.

Assault

To make a physical attack on someone. It can often also include simply the threat to do so.

Mediation

This involves an impartial third-party mediator who specialises in such disputes being appointed to help negotiate a settlement between the disputing parties. They devise a plan for how to live alongside each other and the cost for this service is usually split between the two parties.

Boundaries

The lines between where one property ends and another begins i.e. to detail who owns and is responsible for what.

Obstruction

Something that impedes or prevents passage or progress, such as an obstacle or blockage. This could include a neighbour’s car blocking a tenant’s drive, or their wheelie bins obstructing access.