The number of people reporting disturbances from their neighbours has risen by a third over the last two years, according to a new study conducted by Halifax Home Insurance.

According to the survey, one in five homeowners have experienced “serious problems” with neighbours this year.
Common problems include excessive noise (49%), rude or intimidating behaviour (23%) and the ‘hijacking’ of legal boundaries through illegal building or structural work (20 %).

The credit crunch also appears to be contributing to neighbourly strife, with rising unemployment increasing home ‘transience’ and disrupting community cohesion.

Some 300,000 extra tenants have been created since the recession began, many on short-term or casual leases, and neighbour complaints have been shown to peak in areas with high rental densities.

There has also been a significant rise in the illegal dumping of rubbish on neighbouring property, particularly in areas where refuse collections have been cut back to cut costs.

Problems with neighbours often result in damage to buildings and property with Halifax estimating that these disputes cost UK homeowners in excess of £3 billion last year!    The issue also affects the health and well-being of homeowners, with 58 per cent reporting increased stress, sleeplessness or family arguments as a result.

For many homeowners, the problem is so acute that it drives them to try and sell their property and many opt not to reveal the problem to potential buyers. This behaviour may not be surprising, as house price data suggest that anti-social neighbours can reduce offers by as much as £31,000.

Commenting on the findings, Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager at Halifax Home Insurance said: “It’s clear that neighbour nuisance is a real and growing problem that affects thousands of Britons. If the problem gets out of control, homeowners can resort to legal action but there are also many things you can do to try and improve relations without opting for this last resort.

“It’s a good idea to develop a dialogue with your neighbours, so that if a problem does arise, it won’t be the first time you’ve spoken to them. And if an incident does occur, make sure you don’t react in anger. Often, it’s best to wait until the next day before you raise the matter.”