How To Get Bad Neighbors To Move

You've done months of research, found your dream apartment, and signed the lease. When you finally move in, however, you discover your next-door neighbor is a chronic late-night party person. Or maybe you've lived in your dream place only to have someone move into the next unit and deposit heaps of garbage daily outside the building.

Learning how to deal with annoying neighbors is an essential part of renting. Sometimes, you'll figure out how to avoid neighbors and keep the peace. Other times, the problem gets too intense. You don't want to get yourself into legal trouble by acting out of frustration. Before you reach your breaking point, learn about the legal steps you can take to deal with bad neighbors legally.

What makes a bad neighbor?

What makes a neighbor a bad neighbor? What gets on one renter's nerves may not bother someone else at all, and what we perceive as bad situations can range from purely annoying to illegal. You'll find a few main types of bad neighbors, such as the following:

Noisy neighbors: From couples in the next unit getting into screaming matches at all hours and late-night party people to the kid who won't stop blasting music, noisy neighbors can disrupt the sanctuary of your home.
Messy neighbors: Who enjoys coming home to trash bags in front of the apartment? This type of neighbor. You might find some renters with pets who don't bother to clean up after their furry friend, too.
Unfriendly neighbors: Maybe the person next door never says a word to you, or maybe you have a neighbor who's actively mean to you.
Dangerous neighbors: Neighbors who engage in illegal activities, such as dealing drugs or creating a physical threat to you, go beyond daily annoyances. Some neighbors are downright dangerous.

Sound familiar? You're not alone if you have some awful neighbors on your hands. Dealing with neighbors comes with the territory of living in apartments. It's essential to learn how to handle situations with neighbors legally.

What a bad neighbor does will ultimately determine the type of legal remedies you can use. For example, you may have to accept hearing a dog that occasionally barks during the day or soundproof your apartment. Noise that violates city ordinances, however, might allow you to pursue a legal case.

Bad Neighbors — What To Do Legally

You can take a few steps when you're dealing with bad neighbors without getting into legal trouble yourself.

1. Try a Polite Chat

First, try to have a simple conversation with your neighbor. A conversation could clear up misunderstandings by solving your problem without escalating matters further. Your neighbor might not realize you can hear the music blasting at 3 a.m., for example. A quick and polite chat can ensure that all parties are on the same page.

Remember, you may have to keep living next door to a bad neighbor. Diving headfirst into a legal dispute that you ultimately didn't need can create additional stress and problems.

Of course, if your neighbor engages in criminal or dangerous behaviors, you'll need to take this activity more seriously from the beginning. However, you can tackle issues such as a dog that barks while your neighbor is at work, for example. Addressing garbage left in front of your door may take only kindness and a candid talk. You might get the outcome you want and stay on good terms with your neighbor.

2. Work With a Mediator

If a polite talk doesn't do the trick, you might consider hiring a mediator. An unbiased third party can help you and your neighbor work through the problems you're having so that you can come up with an acceptable solution for everyone.

3. Involve Your Homeowners Association

Suppose you rent a property that comes with a homeowners association, such as a condo unit. In this case, you can involve the HOA if your annoying neighbor won't solve a problem once you've had a polite chat. HOAs typically have guidelines and policies about solving neighbor disputes. Meet with your HOA to explain the situation and determine the appropriate next steps.

Additionally, HOAs have various areas they can regulate, including the following:

Home-owned businesses
Noise
Pets

In other words, if your annoying neighbor isn't following bylaws and guidelines, the HOA has the authority to step in. Your HOA can remedy the problem on your behalf in these cases.

4. Refer to Local Zoning and Ordinance Laws

You're not out of luck if your community doesn't have a homeowners association. Take a look instead at your local zoning and ordinance laws. If you can prove that a neighbor violated local law, you can bring a petition to seek an injunction or damages in a small claims court.

However, before you bring the petition, you might consider reaching out to your annoying neighbor again. Try writing a personal letter with information about the local noise and disturbance ordinances that apply to your situation and offer a constructive solution. Your neighbor might take the cue and resolve the issue with better behavior.

5. Contact Local Authorities

Sometimes, bad neighbors are bad enough to require involving the police. If you feel unsafe, you may need to go this route. Let the authorities know how you've tried to solve a problem — it's always a good idea to keep documentation of ongoing harassment. The police will investigate, and you'll likely need to appear as a witness if your case goes to court.

Dealing with neighbors comes with its challenges, especially if you live next to someone annoying you. Learning how to handle bad neighbors without getting into legal trouble yourself is an integral part of apartment living. By behaving politely and keeping the law on your side, you can prevent awful neighbors from ruining the experience of living your best life in your dream home.

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