Everyone is entitled to enjoy their home and neighbourhood in reasonable peace and quiet and, by showing consideration for others, you can make sure that you have a good relationship with your neighbours.

Although noise is the most common form of nuisance, car repairs, DIY, badly controlled pets, bonfires and rubbish, can also cause a nuisance if you are not considerate to your neighbours.

Any complaints made that are specifically about noise nuisance will normally be dealt with by the Council's Environmental Services, which is based at the Council Offices in Weeley and they can be contacted by telephoning 01255 686767.

If your neighbours are causing you a nuisance:

• try talking to them first, as they may not know that their actions are disturbing you.
• If this doesn't help to solve the problem, you can contact our Estates Management section by telephoning 01255 686488,
• report to us by using our on-line form
• by emailing HousingASB@tendringdc.gov.uk
• by attending the Manningtree, Mistley and Lawford area housing advice surgery; or
• by attending the Brightlingsea housing advice surgery.

In most cases, an Estates Officer (pdf document) will initially talk or write to your neighbour about the nuisance they are causing. If the problem continues, you will be asked to keep a diary detailing the times and dates that the nuisance occurred. These forms may be used as evidence if court action is taken at a later date. If we do take court action against the person responsible for causing the nuisance, we would need you to attend court as a witness and you may be required to give evidence.

Mediation

Mediation is a voluntary process in which a skilled and impartial third party helps people in dispute, such as neighbours, to reach an acceptable agreement. This may be through indirect mediation where contact is made initially with each party separately or direct mediation where a meeting is arranged between those in dispute to draw up a joint action plan.

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