Your neighbour may be doing something that’s bothering you. But they may not be aware they're disturbing you or how frustrated you are about the issue — whether it’s second-hand smoke, a noise issue, a fence needing repair, or some other problem. Talking with your neighbour is a good first step and might resolve the matter quickly.

You live near your neighbour. You see them regularly. As far as you know, neither of you has plans to move any time soon. You don’t want to rock the boat too much because it’s less stressful (and more peaceful) to live among neighbours who like and respect each other. Having an ongoing relationship with your neighbours is an important consideration when figuring out how to deal with a problem between you.

Sometimes, informal steps don’t fit the situation. You may find your neighbour intimidating, unapproachable, or unavailable. You might prefer writing a letter or contacting your municipality rather than talking with your neighbour. That’s up to you. We explain other options to deal with a problem with a neighbour. You can start with whatever step best fits your situation.

Imagine your neighbour’s dog has been barking on and off for several hours. You're drawn to knock on your neighbour’s door and tell them exactly how irritated you are. While letting off some steam may make you feel better in the short term, approaching your neighbour in the moment probably isn’t the best idea.

Instead, give yourself some time to calm down and collect your thoughts. Then let your neighbour know you’d like to speak with them about a problem.

Suggest options for when and where to meet. Try to pick times you think you and your neighbour will be calm and relaxed. Neither of you will be in the right frame of mind to talk if you’re under stress or time constraints.

Before you meet with your neighbour, prepare what you want to say.

Make notes

Writing down key points can help you feel calm, prepared, and confident. In your notes, cover:

• What the problem is. Describe the problem. Note any specific incidents and when they happened.
• Why the problem is bothering you. Figuring this out will help you explain your perspective to your neighbour.
• Your neighbour’s perspective. Put yourself in your neighbour’s shoes to see if you can understand their perspective.  
• What you and your neighbour have in common. Identify common interests you and your neighbour share.
• The solution you want. Try to think of solutions that may work for both of you. 

Gather material in support

If you have any photos, videos, or recordings of the problem, gather them to support your complaint.

You can also look up local bylaws. Many cities and towns have rules about issues involving neighbours. 

You don’t necessarily have to show this material to your neighbour. However, having material to refer to can sometimes help with the conversation. 

When meeting with your neighbour, take your notes and any supporting material you think might be helpful to show them. Take a few deep breaths as you head to the meeting. 

Be friendly and introduce yourself if you haven’t already met. A little bit of humour and small talk can help break the ice. When you’re ready, be calm and respectful. Here’s a sequence you might follow.

1. Calmly explain what the problem is

“I’m not sure if you know this, but Bailey barks much of the day when you’re at work.”

2. Explain how the problem affects you

“I work from home, and it’s really hard for me to concentrate. It takes me longer to finish my work, and I’m pretty worn out by the end of the day.”

3. Stick to the facts

“Yesterday, Bailey started barking at 9:15 am after you left and didn’t stop until 10:30 am. Then he started again at 11 am and didn’t stop until noon.”

4. Share any evidence you’ve gathered

"Here's a recording I made of Bailey's constant barking. And here's a copy of the noise bylaw that applies." 

5. Highlight your common interests

“Our neighbourhood is peaceful and quiet. I sense this is one of the main reasons we both enjoy living here.”

6. Suggest solutions and invite your neighbour’s input

“I’ve tried wearing earplugs, but they’re not a long-term solution. So, I looked online and found some advice about training dogs. Here’s what I found. What do you think?”

7. Discuss a timeline to check in

“Do you mind if we check in about this in two weeks?”

At the end of the conversation, consider thanking your neighbour for their time, understanding, and willingness to work together to resolve the problem.

Keep your cool

During the conversation, it’s important not to yell, blame, or threaten your neighbour. This can escalate the situation rather than resolve it. If you are too frustrated to continue the conversation, consider telling your neighbour you’d like to continue your meeting another day or switch to written communication. 

During or after the conversation with your neighbour, make detailed notes of what each of you said and the date and time you spoke. Also make a note of the outcome and any timelines you agreed on.

After talking with your neighbour, it’s a very good idea to provide them with a written summary of the conversation, including the date and time and what was discussed. You can also set out other information, including:

• the outcome (including any agreement reached)
• any timelines agreed on
• any courses of action each of you agreed to take
• a proposal for a date for a follow-up meeting 

You can provide your summary by email or letter. It’s best to do so as soon as possible after your meeting. If the issue isn’t resolved, this brief record of the discussion may be helpful down the road if you have to consider other options.

Here are some options to deal with a neighbour problem. 

Contact your municipality to find out if there are any by-laws that apply to your problem. 

Consult a lawyer if you would like legal advice about your problem.