Ten Neighbourly Tips

The Ten Tips to help resolve neighbourhood disputes

Neighbourhood disputes generally occur when there is a problem that hasn`t been resolved or, in most cases, a problem that hasn`t been discussed. Colin Seal from The Dog Line comes across a lot of people who have received a barking dog complaint or escaping dog complaint from a neighbour. Dog owners are quite often not aware that their dog is causing a problem.

So what is the best way a to approach a neighbour about a barking dog problem?

Through researching this issue Colin found that The Department of Environment and Conservation had some very good tips for resolving issues with your neighbour.

The following ten tips for discussing a problem with your neighbour can be seen at the Department of Environment and Conservation web site.

1. Deal directly with the person you are in dispute with.
2. Plan a convenient, sensible time and place to talk to the other person.
3. Think beforehand about what you want to say.
4. Don`t be too quick to lay the blame on the other person.
5. Don`t interpret your neighbour`s behaviour.
6. Give your neighbour a chance to say their side of the story.
7. Let them know that you are pleased that they can get together to discuss the problem.
8. Work on the problem co-operatively. See what you can both do to resolve the dispute.
9. Bring all the issues out into the open.
10. Look ahead.

Certainly the message from the department of Environment and Conservation is to discuss the problem openly and aim to reach a mutually satisfatory result. It will probably require a couple of meetings.

Don't let the problem esculate to boiling point before you approach the neighbour. Act early and be polite.