Dealing with disruptive neighbours

Everyone is entitled to live peacefully in their home regardless of where they live, or whether they rent or own a property. You're not expected to tolerate excessive noise or physical or verbal abuse from a neighbour.

If you feel your safety or the safety of others is at risk contact the police on 131 444 (or 000 in an emergency).

Disruptive behaviour

Disruptive behaviour is anything that unreasonably or repeatedly interferes with the peaceful enjoyment of your home. This can include:

• excessive and unusual noise or smell
• threats, intimidation, offensive behaviour or assault
• continual trespass
• theft, vandalism or graffiti
• noise and disturbance from domestic arguments
• street fighting and verbal abuse between a neighbour and their visitors.

Disruptive behaviour does not include:

• unpleasant, strange or annoying neighbours
• noise and activity associated with normal daily life - for example, children playing.

Dealing with disruption

Talk to your neighbour first

• be prepared to be reasonable and compromise - you are entitled to live peacefully and so are they
• don't engage in arguments with your neighbour or their visitors
• don't threaten or be aggressive towards your neighbour or their visitors
• don't engage in any illegal activity - for example, trespass, vandalism.

Advice and assistance in dealing with disputes and disruption are provided by:

• Consumer and Business Services (if the neighbour causing the disturbance is renting the property from the owner)
• Community Mediation Services
• Legal Services Commission.

Keep written records

• where it happened and a description of the event
• how it affected you
• what action you took - for example, reported animal noise to your local council.

Report incidents to the right department or organisation

• noise problems late at night eg loud music and parties
• graffiti, vandalism and suspected illegal activity
• reckless or dangerous driving
• and if you feel your safety or the safety of others is at risk.

The property owner or body corporate manager for:

• parking and vehicles, community corporation car parks
• trees, rubbish or the general condition of private property
• abandoned properties
• fencing, boundary and encroachment issues.

If you don't know who owns the neighbouring property you can contact your local council or access SAILIS.

SA Housing Trust for:

Your local council for:

• trees, rubbish or the general condition of your neighbour's property
• animal problems - noise or strays, barking dogs
• abandoned vehicles and street parking
• noise from air conditioners, machines, power tools and household appliances.

• when you suspect an animal has been abandoned.

Related information

Other websites

• Find your local police station - South Australia Police
• Neighbours and the law - Legal Services Commission
• Neighbourhood nuisance - Environment Protection Authority

Contact

Child Abuse Report Line phone 131 478 - free and confidential service
Domestic Violence Crisis Service phone 1300 782 200 - free and confidential service