Nuisance neighbours cause frustration and anguish across the country. But some areas are much worse than others, analysis for Money Mail shows.
The UK is riddled with nuisance hotspots, where antisocial behaviour such as making excessive noise and fly-tipping are particularly prevalent.
Our analysis calculates a score out of ten for how bad nuisance neighbours are in each local authority in England. The higher the score, the worse the neighbours.
The score is calculated using several datasets, including overall crime rate, number of antisocial behaviour offences, noise complaints made to the council, fly-tipping incidents and evictions per 1,000 residents.
The data was compiled by cash house buyer Sell House Fast using data sources from the Department of Health and Social Care, the Local Government Association and the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Check our table to see if yours is one of the best or worst areas for nuisance neighbours – or go to dailymail.co.uk/neighbours for the full interactive map of all areas in England.
But what if you have problems with a neighbour – or want to find out if neighbours could be a problem before you move into a property? Money Mail has asked experts for their top tips.
Stay cool if you can
A gripe with a neighbour is best dealt with on friendly terms and talking face-to-face if possible.
Money Mail columnist and consumer rights lawyer Dean Dunham says: ‘With neighbour disputes, first see if you can resolve the matter amicably. Just having a chat often solves issues.’
If you go straight to a council or the police to complain, you may escalate a problem so it becomes worse. Speaking to a neighbour can diffuse a situation they might not even have been aware of.
Remember to keep records
If problems cannot be resolved with a friendly conversation, consider contacting the local authority to report it. Dunham says: ‘A statutory nuisance is where, in the case of neighbours, stress or harm is caused.
‘This could be unreasonable, excessive and substantial interference with the enjoyment of a property. Noise can do this. You can go to your local authority and tell them. They have an obligation to investigate.’
He adds: ‘If you go down this route always gather evidence, such as videos, noise recordings and witness statements. These must be dated as local authorities like to see how often a nuisance occurs.
To satisfy a test it must be deemed frequent – perhaps two, three or four times a week.’
If successful, the council may issue an abatement notice. If a neighbour does not comply, they could be issued with a fine.
Complaints can be a sale issue
When selling your property, you are legally required to tell potential buyers of neighbour disputes that have been formally reported to local authorities.
This must be disclosed on a formal TA6 form you must fill in as part of conveyancing. Failure could lead to you being taken to court and sued for thousands of pounds.
There is a risk that this could put off some buyers. You may wish to explain the circumstances to potential buyers, for example reassure them if it is no longer a problem or the neighbours in question have moved away.
You can also contact the local authority and ask them for a record of any noise complaints in the postcode where you are hoping to buy a home.
Don’t just rely on the council
If a council decides not to take action against a neighbour for antisocial behaviour, a solicitor could help you take a complaint to court if you can show your neighbour has caused significant harm.
This might be, for example, if you are trying to sell a house and it is jeopardising the sale.
Taking professional advice is vital – and you may find there is no need to go to court once a lawyer is involved.
Dunham says: ‘Most problematic neighbours will be swayed by receiving a formal solicitor’s letter.’
Document fly-tipping
Fly-tipping is illegal. If you spot someone in the act, take photos, including vehicle registration plate details, and report the crime to the police. But don’t do it if it puts you in danger.
Council websites often offer details of recent fly-tipping and this can help you find out if you might be moving to an area blighted with rubbish problems.
Visit gov.uk/report-flytipping to find out more details of who you should contact.
Check the area’s crime details
If you are thinking about moving to an area, you can find out about crime levels in the postcode by visiting websites police.uk and crimerate.co.uk.
These sites break down the type of crime – everything from bicycle theft to shoplifting, to criminal damage and burglary, with figures taken from sources such as the police and ONS.
Vary visit times before you move
It always makes sense to visit an area where you might like to live at different times of the day – and night – to check on traffic noise levels, loud neighbours and potential problems, such as barking dogs and noisy groups of people leaving pubs or restaurants late at night.
Knock on neighbours’ doors explaining you are considering moving to the area – and ask about any issues you should be aware of.
This is also a good chance to assess whether they are the kind of people you might like to live next to.
A friendly chat with the barman at the local pub might also provide interesting revelations, while local social media groups, such as can be found on Facebook, can offer insight about what is going on in the area and any antisocial problems you should be aware of.
All hours: It makes sense to visit an area where you might like to live at different times of the day – and night – to check on traffic noise levels, loud neighbours and potential other problems
Neighbourhood Watch advice
Details of your local organisation can be found at ourwatch.org.uk.
These groups not only offer guidance, but membership can have a positive effect on bringing down crime in the area – as burglars are more wary of areas where such schemes mean extra vigilance.
Neighbourhood Watch does not necessarily indicate a crime problem but can actually reveal a friendly and socially aware community.
In rural areas, parish councils are also worth contacting for this type of information.
I was constantly afraid of what would happen next
Elana Anthony, 29, knew nothing about the area she was moving to in 2020 with her former partner and his children.
The content writer moved to a rented terraced house in Nelson, Lancashire, in 2020, but problems with neighbours soon became apparent.
‘Before moving, I did not know what the town or my new neighbours would be like’, Elana said.
Elana claims it quickly became apparent that living in the area would be extremely challenging.
Moved out: Elana Anthony endured nightmare neighbours while living in a rental property
She said: ‘Our alleyway connected two streets of houses, and there were only low gates and fences separating the yards, so we were right on top of the house opposite.
‘The rent was dirt cheap in the area, which I guess is how a group of middle-aged drug addicts lived together in the nuisance home nearby.’
Elana claims neighbours from the ‘nuisance’ home would pinch their wheelie bins, and throw bottles into their yard and the public alleyway, with police frequently being called round to the property.
She said: ‘One of the people from the nuisance house was always shouting, screaming and swearing in ear shot of my former partner’s children.’
Over time, Elana become worn down by the nightmare neighbours.
She told the Daily Mail: ‘I was just constantly afraid of what might happen next, afraid to look at anyone the wrong way or accidentally offend them, and the noise often woke me up at night. It affected every aspect of my life and I was embarrassed to have anyone come and visit my house.’
Elana said she did not feel able to report the nuisance neighbours due to their unpredictable behaviour and her fear of reprisals.
Elana and her former partner started at looking to move to a quieter area. However, towards the end of 2022, their landlord decided to sell the property they were living in.
She told the Daily Mail: ‘I went back to my hometown in Manchester and it was a massive relief to move out of Nelson and out of that house. Fortunately, I have much better neighbours now.’
The neighbours smoke weed and our flat stinks
Caitlin, a 26-year-old living in Manchester, endures daily disruption caused by neighbours in her block of flats.
She said: ‘The couple living below us smoke weed all day long, and the smell carries through our entire apartment, which is unpleasant.
‘It’s embarrassing when family come over. We have to close the windows when the smell is really strong, even if it means the apartment gets too hot in the summer months.’
Caitlin believes this kind of nuisance, while in her view, ‘part of city living’, could discourage buyers and potentially reduce demand for homes in the area among buyers and tenants.
Fortunately for Caitlin, the problematic neighbours are moving out soon. Otherwise, Caitlin said, she would have had to consider moving.
Our neighbours finally got evicted
Jac, 30, a senior graphic designer, from Cumbria, lives with constant rows and disputes coming from his next door neighbour.
‘Other neighbours, as well as the building management, have, as we have, complained to the neighbours’ estate agents’, Jac said.
He added: ‘After a frustratingly long time, the neighbours have finally been served with an eviction notice. However, to date, they have refused to leave.’
As well as constant domestic disturbances, Jac is also concerned about a large dog living at the neighbour’s property.
Jac said: ‘They have an aggressive, large dog that has reportedly bitten other residents in the building. This is worrying for my partner and I as we share a corridor to get in and out of our flat, so we have to avoid bumping into them.’
He added: ‘It’s affected our social life as we don’t like having friends or family over in case of an incident happening. We currently rent the property, but before the neighbours moved in, our landlord offered to sell the property to us. We were considering it, but not anymore.’
Jac thinks police and councils should have more options for dealing with nuisance and anti-social neighbours. He believes repeat offenders could, for example, be charged higher council tax which they could reduce once completing community service.
