A legal expert has issued advice on how to avoid rows with neighbours this summer. With many Brits spending more time outdoors enjoying the hot weather, summer fun can often turn into arguments where neighbours are concerned.
Spending time outside in the garden means BBQs, late-night parties, flying footballs and fence rows which can often lead to issues that can be difficult to resolve.
Jordan Kluth, a boundary dispute expert, has now shared the most common neighbour rows as well as advice on how to tackle them in the best way.
Common summer disputes and how to handle them
“Summer is when people use their homes very differently,” said Jordan. “Windows are open, gardens are busy, BBQs are smoking, children are playing outside and people are trying to enjoy the weather while they can.
“That means something that might barely be noticed in winter can suddenly feel very personal. A smoky BBQ, a ball over the fence or music in the garden can affect someone’s sleep, washing, pets, children or ability to enjoy their own space.
“The biggest mistake is reacting in the heat of the moment. Keeping someone’s ball, painting a fence that is not yours, cutting a neighbour’s hedge without checking the rules or shouting over the boundary can turn a minor annoyance into a proper dispute.
“Most summer neighbour rows are best dealt with early, calmly and specifically. A polite word at the start is almost always better than an angry note, a social media rant or a blazing row over the fence.”
Footballs flying into gardens
A football landing in the wrong garden can often spark a row. For parents, it may feel like a harmless accident, but for the neighbour on the receiving end, it can lead to damaged plants, frightened pets or children repeatedly knocking at the door.
“There are few things that cause a neighbourhood row faster than a football flying into the wrong garden, but homeowners should think twice before keeping hold of, or damaging, a ball that is not theirs,” said Jordan.
“In most cases, the sensible thing to do is simply hand it back. Children or parents should ask before entering someone else’s property to retrieve it, and homeowners are under no obligation to let anyone wander in uninvited.
“Popping, binning or refusing to return someone else’s ball could land a homeowner in hot water, even if the item itself is only worth a few quid.
“Parents should also remind children not to climb fences or go into next door’s garden without permission. If it keeps happening, a polite word with the parents is far better than letting tempers boil over.”
BBQ smoke coming through open windows
BBQs are enjoyed by many in the summer months, but whilst you may think they are harmless, next door may be dealing with smoke in their bedroom or washing that smells of charcoal.
“A normal BBQ now and again is part of summer life, and most neighbours will understand that,” Jordan said. “But if smoke is constantly drifting into another property, if it is happening late at night, or if somebody is burning unsuitable materials, it can become a much bigger problem.
“The simple fix is to think about wind direction, move the BBQ away from fences and open windows where possible, and avoid lighting up when next door has washing out.
“If you are affected, start with a calm conversation. Asking someone to move the BBQ slightly is much more likely to work than accusing them of ruining your evening.”
Loud music and late-night garden parties
Warm evenings mean spending more time outdoors, but loud music and late-night guests can quickly cause problems.
“People often forget how far voices travel at night, especially when windows are open and streets are quiet,” Jordan said. “There is a big difference between background music and making everyone else listen to your playlist for six hours.
“If you are hosting, tell neighbours beforehand, keep speakers away from shared walls and fences, bring people inside later on and ask guests to leave quietly.
“If you are being disturbed, be specific. Asking someone to turn the bass down, close the windows or move indoors after a certain time is much more useful than simply saying they are too loud.”
Overgrown lawns and messy gardens
Overgrown and messy gardens can cause rows between neighbours when weeds spread, rubbish builds up or it attracts pests.
“People do not have a general right to demand that next door keeps their lawn looking perfect,” Jordan said. “Some people like wild gardens, some are busy, some are elderly, and some may be struggling physically or financially to keep on top of things.
“But problems can arise where an overgrown garden starts affecting neighbouring homes. That could mean weeds spreading aggressively, rubbish attracting pests, smells developing or the land becoming seriously neglected.
“This is where empathy really matters. Before assuming laziness or bad manners, ask if everything is okay. If the issue is rubbish, pests or serious neglect, keep a record and seek advice rather than turning it into a shouting match.”
Hedges, trees and blocked sunlight
We all love the sun, so if a neighbour’s hedge, tree, screen or gazebo leaves next door sitting in the shade, that can cause issues.
“Rows about sunlight are often really rows about fairness,” Jordan said. “If someone has waited all week to sit in the garden and suddenly feels boxed in by a huge hedge, it can feel very frustrating.
“But people also need to be realistic. Nobody owns every ray of sunshine that crosses their garden, and a temporary parasol or gazebo is very different from a high hedge that blocks light year after year.
“If the issue is a tall hedge or tree, speak to the neighbour first and explain how it affects your home or garden. Ask for a practical change, such as reducing the height or trimming back growth.
“What you should not do is march into their garden or cut beyond the boundary. That can make the dispute far worse.”
Painting or changing fences without permission
Painting or changing the wrong side of the fence can also lead to tension between neighbours.
“Fence rows are incredibly common because people often assume that if they can see a fence from their garden, they can do what they like with it,” explained Jordan.
“That is not always true. If the fence belongs to your neighbour, painting it, staining it, attaching planters to it or changing it without permission can cause a dispute.
“Even painting ‘your side’ can be a problem if the fence is not yours or if the paint bleeds through and changes the appearance on the other side.
“Before doing anything, check your property documents if you are unsure who owns the fence. If there is any doubt, ask first and get agreement in writing, even if it is just a text confirming the colour and work.”
