what kind of lawyer handled disputes witg neighbors

by Mrs. Dora Kohler DDS 4 min read

Full Answer

Is there a law to resolve disputes between neighbors?

Neighbor disputes can occur for a variety of reasons, and they are certainly nothing new! As a result, there is a body of law that exists specifically to help resolve disputes between neighbors. Learn More about Neighbor Law! A good source to learn more about dealing with neighbors is Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees, Boundaries & Noise.

Do I need a lawyer for a neighborhood dispute?

Law enforcement may need to be called and you should get a lawyer. Don’t allow neighborhood disputes to escalate and protect your property with a neighborhood disputes attorney.

What are the most common types of neighbor disputes?

One of the most common neighbor disputes is perhaps property boundary issues. After all, fences exist not only for privacy, but also for the purpose of keeping others (mostly neighbors) out. Property boundary disputes can exist in two different forms; trespassing, and encroachment. What is trespassing?

Should I hire a mediator to resolve a dispute with my Neighbor?

If factual information isn't resolving the dispute, you might also hire a mediator to facilitate a negotiation between you and your neighbor.

How do I resolve a neighbors conflict?

How to Handle Disputes with NeighborsMake sure it's really a problem. ... Keep a log of the behavior in question. ... Do some research on the rules. ... Find out what your other neighbors have to say. ... Communicate directly and politely. ... Take time to cool off before confrontation. ... Have a compromise in mind. ... Seek the help of a third party.

How do you deal with a psycho neighbor?

Dealing with NeighborsDon't respond with anger. Although you may be instantly (and perhaps justifiably) irritated when your neighbor complains, don't let your anger get the best of you. ... Ask if you can talk face-to-face. Talking one-on-one helps you read facial cues and tone of voice. ... Listen. ... Work toward a solution.

What are the most common Neighbour disputes?

Common types of neighbour disputesnoise, such as loud music and barking dogs.parking.property boundaries.overgrowing trees and hedges.children playing in the street.

How do I deal with a harassing neighbor in Ontario?

The good news is: There are many actions you can take to deal with the neighbour that is harassing you.Talk to them. Attempt to talk to your neighbour—if you feel safe, of course. ... Seek mediation. There are many mediation services that operate in Ontario. ... Gather evidence. ... Reach out to the police.

Can I sue my Neighbour for harassment?

Harassing Neighbors Can Become Dangerous By law, you have the right to safety in your home. These are criminal charges, and you need a criminal attorney to press charges and get an order for protection. You can also choose to sue for emotional suffering or physical injuries.

How can I get my neighbors to move?

Bring it to the notice of the house managementTry to be nosy. ... Organize some fake loud activities. ... Make things inconvenient for them. ... Complain to the landlord. ... Consistently call the police. ... Bring other neighbors together and complain jointly. ... Report the bad neighbor to the HOA.More items...

What counts as a Neighbour dispute?

A neighbour dispute is any disagreement between neighbours that is a cause of stress or friction. When you sell a property, you will need to provide information on any existing neighbour disputes, but also anything that you are aware of that could cause a neighbour dispute in the future.

Where can I complain about my Neighbours?

In certain cases, you may need to make a Police report. The Police might advise you to file a Magistrate's Complaint, which can be done online, if the neighbours act is considered to be acting against the law (e.g. causing harassment, alarm, or distress).

Are Neighbour disputes common?

Neighbour and boundary disputes can be stressful and challenging, however, an extremely common occurrence. Any dispute relating to the personal home needs to be dealt with rationally, especially when tensions between neighbours are high or there is a risk of violence.

How do I file a complaint against a neighbor in Ontario?

File a Report with Local Law Enforcement Go online, call, or visit your local police or sheriff's department to file a formal complaint against your neighbor. Clearly outline all the steps you've taken from day one so they know you've tried to rectify the problem on your own.

Neighbor Disputes Attorneys

When neighborhood disputes go beyond who borrowed whose lawn mower last, its time to get an experienced attorney who understands property and ownership laws in your area. Don’t let a neighborhood dispute escalate further, and don’t let neighbors take advantage of your property or belongings without your consent.

Types of Neighbor Disputes Where an Attorney May be Needed

There are as many different kinds of neighborhood disputes as there are types of neighbors, but attorneys who specialize in neighborhood disputes in your area may be able to help. The most common reason for neighborhood disputes include:

What are the most common neighbors disputes?

One of the most common neighbor disputes is perhaps property boundary issues. After all, fences exist not only for privacy, but also for the purpose of keeping others (mostly neighbors) out. Property boundary disputes can exist in two different forms; trespassing, and encroachment.

What is neighbor law?

Neighbor law covers the many disputes that may occur between two individuals that live side by side. Of course, there are many sorts of disputes that can, and do, arise.

How to resolve property boundary disputes?

Such as most other disputes with neighbors. .. Property boundary disputes are often best resolved through talking with your neighbors. After all, you may be living next to them for a long time. Building a culture of resentment may be more stressful than correcting your neighbor’s actions involving police or the courts.

Can police help with noise ordinances?

Some cities have stricter noise ordinances than others, so the police may not be able to help very much. If you chose to file a lawsuit on your own, you must weight the benefits with the costs. The benefits may be a quiet neighbor, and even some extra cash. On the other hand, the cost of having an angry neighbor.

How to file a lawsuit against a neighbor?

Be ready for your neighbor's defenses, and review the strength of your possible responses before you decide to file a lawsuit. A neighbor's most likely defenses with regard to a boundary dispute might include: 1 You have the facts wrong, or have incorrectly read the deed to your property. 2 Your neighbor owns the disputed property through adverse possession, a doctrine that allows someone who has used a piece of property without the owner's objection for a statutorily prescribed number of years to gain ownership over it. 3 Property use established a prescriptive easement, authorizing your neighbor to come across your property. 4 You gave consent to use your property. 5 You waited too long file a lawsuit, and the statute of limitations (the allowable time within which to file) ran out.

What is the best way to resolve boundary disputes?

There are different types of boundary disputes, and different approaches to solving them. Cooperation and diplomacy, however, are often the best solutions, no matter which side of the fence or property line you’re on. A lawsuit against a neighbor is seldom a good idea.

What to do when neighbors have different understandings of where the boundary line is?

When you realize that you and your neighbor have different understandings of where the boundary line is, you should be proactive. Schedule a real discussion, where each of you brings your various legal documents, largely from the home transfer and title insurance files — deeds, plat maps, and property surveys —to the table.

What to do if your deeds are unclear?

If your deeds or existing surveys are unclear, you and your neighbor might agree to hire a land surveyor to give you an objective report regarding the property boundaries. If factual information isn't resolving the dispute, you might also hire a mediator to facilitate a negotiation between you and your neighbor.

What is boundary dispute?

A boundary dispute might be a question of confusion or uncertainty. Perhaps neither you nor your neighbor has ever really looked at your respective deeds, and both had different assumptions about the extent of your property. A boundary dispute can also be for technical reasons; perhaps your neighbor's deed actually shows possession ...

Can you sue a neighbor for a boundary dispute?

Nevertheless, a lawsuit is sometimes the only way to settle a significant boundary dispute. There are generally two types of lawsuits (or “causes of action”) related to boundary conflicts.

Can you dispute a boundary on your own?

You won’t always be able to solve boundary issues on your own, or even with the assistance of a land surveyor or mediator. You might want to consult an attorney, especially if the dispute is over a significant piece of land. A lawsuit against a neighbor is seldom a good idea.

Trees and Property Lines

With trees that grow close to property lines, there could be disputes over who’s responsible for cleaning up leaves or other aspects of care and upkeep. In some cases, there may be disagreements over who gets to keep what’s produced by fruit-bearing trees close to property lines or who’s responsible for cleanup if a tree falls.

Unsightly Exterior Spaces

This one’s somewhat iffy legally since what’s considered “unsightly” can vary and depend on what local guidelines might apply. For instance, if your neighbor has a bunch of old appliances and other items scattered throughout their yard, a lawyer can determine if there may be any local ordinances they might be violating.

New Construction Issues and Other Neighbor-Related Disputes

Generally, there’s nothing wrong legally with a neighbor adding onto their home or undertaking any other type of construction on their property, provided they obtained all necessary permits and permissions.

See What an Attorney Has to Say

Even if you’re not sure whether or not a neighbor dispute requires legal action to resolve the issue, it never hurts to seek input from an attorney. At a minimum, you’ll develop a better understanding of your rights and legal options.

How to resolve a dispute with a neighbor?

Sometimes, a dispute can be resolved by just talking to your neighbor and maintaining a good relationship with them. Politeness and respect can go a long way in resolving minor disputes. If it gets to the point where you feel a demand letter is necessary, you can certainly discuss that option with an attorney.

Who can be involved in a property dispute?

Property disputes can involve just about anyone who has an interest in the real estate in question. For example, most property disputes involve the owner of the property in some way, but they can also involve: Neighbors; Landlords and Tenants; Homeowner Associations (HOAs);

What is a property dispute?

A property dispute is a legal dispute that involves real estate. While it may sound relatively simple, the term “property dispute” covers a wide range of possible disputes over a wide range of property. The property involved could be anything from a vacant lot to a home, deck, condominium, manufactured home, pond, driveway, ...

What happens if a neighbor cuts down a tree?

Or, for instance, if a neighbor cuts down one of your trees, you may be entitled to monetary damages (like the value of the tree). Quiet title actions are a specific type of lawsuit used to determine legal ownership of a property, and are more common when the chain of title in the public record is incomplete.

What are the remedies for property disputes?

Remedies for property disputes often depend on the nature of the dispute and the state where the property is located. Potential remedies include injunctions, judicial sales, monetary damages, and quiet title actions.

How to resolve boundary disputes?

Often, boundary disputes can be resolved at least in part by having a proper survey conducted on the property (especially if you’re planning on putting in a fence). Other property disputes may become more complicated, especially when you start running into issues questioning ownership.

Can a city be part of a property dispute?

It can be important to keep in mind that cities and municipalities can be part of a property dispute. Cities have the ability to own property, and often have agencies that regulate property or issue building permits (such as a city or town planning department).

What to do if you have a dispute with your neighbor?

If you are involved in a dispute over water damage, you may wish to contact a real estate lawyer for advice or representation in court. Your attorney will be able to advise you according to the laws of your state, and can help you recover damages for you losses.

What are neighbors water disputes?

What are Neighbor Water Damage Disputes? Usually a neighbor cannot be held responsible for property damage caused by runoff from naturally occurring rain and land conditions. However, if the water damage is caused by a neighbor’s actions or non-actions, this can present some difficulties. Since the flow of water is somewhat unpredictable, ...

What happens if you are able to prove that your neighbor is responsible for water damage?

If you are able to prove that you neighbor is responsible for the water damage, you may be able to recover damages for your losses. These can include: Costs associated with repairs for the damaged property. If your home became uninhabitable due to the damage, you might be able to recover hotel or lodging costs.

What is the opposite of the Common Enemy rule?

Many jurisdictions have loosened this rule and have required a showing that the other neighbor acted with negligence. "Civil Law" rule : This is the opposite of the Common Enemy rule- neighbors can be held liable if the alter their land in any way that disrupts the natural flow of the surface water across land.

What happens if your house becomes uninhabitable?

Medical bills or hospital bills if the damage also caused you physical injury. Punitive damages, if you can prove that your neighbor acted with malicious or criminal intent.