Next-Door Nightmares
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Your neighbors have a dog that barks all night, a pick-up truck parked on the front lawn and a year's supply of garbage in the garage. Help!
If you've ever found yourself in this situation, you know that it can be a real nightmare. It's awkward and uncomfortable to deal with, but it's impossible to ignore. What can you do?
An ounce of preventionAs they say, it's worth a pound of cure. In other words, check out the neighbors carefully before you move in. Your REALTOR® can help you research the demographics of the neighborhood ahead of time. You might want to talk to the neighbors before you buy, and drive through the neighborhood at different times of day (and night!) to check out the activity and noise levels.
A first stepIf there's something that's bothering you, the first step should be to try to talk to your neighbors about it. Maybe they don't realize that their dog is howling at your bedroom window every night. Maybe they'd be happy to get rid of the garbage collection if they knew where to call to have it picked up. Approach them in a friendly, non-threatening way, tell them honestly what the problem is, and offer to help find a solution. Try to avoid starting your sentences with "You." It's better to say, 'I'm having a hard time sleeping because your dog is barking all night' rather than, 'You let that stupid dog bark all night, and it's keeping me awake.' Remember, you don't want a confrontation here; you want to solve the problem.
When talks break downYou tried a friendly conversation and got nowhere. If the issue is important enough to warrant further action, you can investigate legal resources such as your neighborhood association by-laws, or your city's local ordinances. Report the situation to the people in charge, and let them take the appropriate actions.
If all else failsYou could add fencing to block your view, you could call the police and file a formal complaint, or you could call your REALTOR® and move! These are pretty drastic solutions, but it may be worth it to save your sanity, and get a good night's sleep!
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