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How To Handle A Troublesome Neighbor

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In a perfect world, we would all live alongside neighbors who were kind and respectful. We wouldn’t have to worry about noise. We wouldn’t have to deal with petty feuds. And we wouldn’t feel the need to call a local moving company in an effort to escape their antics.

Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world, and some of us do live alongside people who cause us stress and upset.

So, how do we deal with them?

Well, other than doing something to fuel heated battles with them, there are a number of things we can do.

#1: Have a friendly conversation

Despite the troubles your neighbor might be causing, you should be the better neighbor and react responsibly. Instead of approaching them with angry words and rude hand gestures, talk to them in a friendly way instead. A gentle request to ask them to turn down their music or to stop blocking your driveway (as examples) could be all it takes for them to understand what they are doing wrong. Hopefully, they will then behave better and be more respectful of you.

#2: Be kind to your neighbor

A friendly conversation can be made easier after you have already shown kindness. The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and while this doesn’t refer solely to our literal neighbors, you might find peace if you can show care for them. If you know that they have a need, try to be there for them. Come up with random acts of kindness, such as a plate of home-baked biscuits to leave on their doorway. When they know you’re a well-meaning person, your neighbors might be more than willing to listen to you when you have a problem with them.

#3: Seek support from other neighbors

If you feel that you can’t approach your troublesome neighbor alone, seek support from those people in your street who feel the way you do. This might apply when a neighbor has shown signs of aggression, and you feel too intimidated to visit them. They might visit your troublesome neighbor with you, or they could sign a letter requesting an end to bad behavior that you can pop through your neighbor’s door. With more people at your side, your difficult neighbor might start to behave more responsibly.

#4: Use a mediation service

If you can’t come to an agreement with your neighbor alone, use a mediation service. Mediators are trained in conflict resolution, and they will do what they can to help you and your neighbor come to a happier compromise. If your neighbor refuses this, consider the next step.

#5: Seek legal help

When all else has failed, it’s time to consider legal help. You are in your right to call the police if your neighbor is putting you at risk of harm, so do so. You also have the right to seek the services of a lawyer. They will usually write to your neighbor with a warning, and they might insist that your neighbor attends a mediation session with you. If your neighbor persists, then the case might need to go to court. Hopefully, your neighbor will see sense before that happens.

 

Hopefully, your neighbors are kind and wonderful and respectful of your every need. But if not, consider our suggestions. You don’t need to put your house up for sale, as you should be able to sort matters out before you have to make a drastic move.

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