How to Cope With Bad Neighbors

Home is supposed to be a pleasant and peaceful place to reside in. It definitely isn't right especially if things gets too obnoxious and noisy with your neighbor, making your life a living hell and intolerable. Learn how you can keep your sanity and deal with bad, aggravating neighbors!

Instructions

1. Before going berserk on your neighbor, try to evaluate the situation. Try to observe when, how often, and what makes them out of control and make a detailed list of their disturbances. Maybe it's loud music at 1 a.m., or midnight fights. Then, see if these things violate the rules of the building or local laws. Even if these don't qualify as a violation, you still may have a chance in a valid complaint.

2. Evaluate yourself. Are you being reasonable and just? For example, if you work graveyard shift and sleep during the day, launching an attack at your neighbors for being loud isn't justifiable. Also, ask yourself if you ever violate any rules against your neighbors. Just because no one filed a complaint against you doesn't mean you're Mr. Rogers. Before filing complaints, make sure that you do not have anything that can backfire on you.

3. So, after careful evaluation, you decide it's them, not you. You cannot tolerate it anymore, and need to take action. For the first offense, simply go to your neighbor and knock on their door. It is important that you address the problem completely and explain any issues clearly as you will only be doing this once. Be nice and respectful, but get your words through. Your tone will also be a deal maker... or breaker.

4. You've adopted your one-strike policy, and the neighbor still continues to disturb the peace. If you have a landlord or property manager, now is the time to report the details via a note or in person. Demand the landlord to speak directly to your neighbor about the situation.

5. If it STILL continues, check to see what kind of leverage you might have on your lease. Sometimes, withholding a payment speaks louder than words. Remember, if your neighbors are preventing you from enjoying your rights, you have grounds to act.

6. Try recruiting allies and get them on board! If your neighbor is being obnoxious and loud, chances are that they are bothering others as well. This is useful when writing a firm letter. Have your allies sign the letter and send it off to your landlord. Make sure to specify and write in detail of the violations and reference the laws in your region.

7. If it comes to the worst and your neighbors still haven't changed, its time to show them the beast in you. Every time the situation rises, regardless of what time it is, give the bad neighbors another notice and pound the floor or wall/ceiling. Call the police if you have to and demand some action.

8. Lastly, moving out should be your last resort. You've done nothing to earn the burden of moving out, so keep it on the down low. However, if the landlord and the neighbor do not promote a change, it's better to leave.