Nuisance Neighbours

Everyone has the right to peaceful enjoyment of their home

If your neighbours are causing you disturbance with excessive noise, or intimidating and aggressive behaviour, it is important for you to recognise your rights and take appropriate action.

Whatever your living situation, you have a right to live undisturbed by other people's behaviour and activities, and it is the Council's duty to ensure that you can enjoy that right.

We work closely with the police and other agencies to achieve this.  If the behaviour of neighbours causes you 'harassment, alarm or distress' then the Council's Crime and Nuisance Action Team (CANAcT) can step in and will work to protect you and other neighbours from the worst cases of anti-social behaviour.

Step 1

The first step is to try and resolve the issue yourself by speaking directly to the person causing the problem. In most cases, if you ask politely, they will stop and your problem will be solved.

If this approach doesn't resolve your problem, it's important you don't suffer in silence.

Step 2

You can take action to get it stopped.

If you are a Council or Housing Association tenant

You should report any neighbour nuisance to your housing officers, and they will carry out an initial investigation.  They will evaluate the case and refer the case to a mediation service, to the Environmental Health service or to Oxford City Council's Crime and Nuisance Action Team.

If you are an owner-occupier

You should contact the police, who can refer the case to a mediation service, Oxford City Council's Environmental Health service or the Council's Crime and Nuisance Action Team (CANAcT).

If you are a private sector tenant

You should report the matter to your landlord, and, if this does not achieve satisfactory results, you should either contact Oxford City Council's Environmental Health service or the Police, who then have the option of contacting a mediation service the Crime and Nuisance Action Team (CANAcT).

If you live in a hostel or bed and breakfast accommodation

You should raise the matter with the Homelessness Team if you have been placed in this accommodation by them or the Environmental Health service. Either of these teams at Oxford City Council can then contact the Crime and Nuisance Action Team (CANAcT), or recommend Mediation if that is appropriate.

If you feel harassed, alarmed or distressed by anti-social neighbours, call CANAcT now.

Page last reviewed 14 Feb 2008