The term "neighbor harassing"is very broad. It can be an intentional act to make you move away in some circumstances. Not every form of annoying neighbor behavior is considered harassment. Theyve tossed garbage and grass clipping piles over the fence into your yard, they allow their dog to run loose onto your property, and they crank up the music late at night while youre trying to sleep. The neighbor likely has nothing to do or focus on other than you. Now, since THIS is what you really want, you should make a conscious decision that everything you say or do from now on will move things toward this positive outcome and furthermore, that everything THEY say or do ALSO becomes an opportunity for you to take things closer to that outcome. The law defines harassment as communication deemed derogatory or offensive, threats of assault or violence, engagement in offensive physical touching, and repeated acts of intentional alarming or annoying behavior. You are also entitled to protection from violent behavior and threats of violence and assault. For instance, your neighbor might smoke in the building, and the smell can even reach your apartment, which is particularly annoying if you dont smoke. Was it some kind of Welfare program or low costs housing program to help buy your house? If you continue with repeated discussions over an extended period of time, never retaliating or getting drawn into an argument and always pursuing the issues in great detail, the act of being disrespectful or harassing you will start to become a nuisance to your neighbor who will think twice about being rude next time. Even though youd probably avoid filing a lawsuit, you should be prepared for it, just in case, so never throw away any of the police reports. You are not harassing your neighbors if you don't realize they are bothered by this behavior. Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. This is especially true when someone purposely creates noise, wont stop smoking in common areas, or simply refuses to stop their kids from banging doors and running around in the apartment over your head. Lawyer's Assistant: Do you have any court dates or documents relevant to this situation? You can forget all about waiting in line at the DMV and being on hold with customer servicewe will get you to the finish line in a few clicks. If so, when is the next court date? What Happens When You File a Claim Against a Probate Estate? She has even called in obscure town ordinances. But, If injustice occurs and the neighbor doesn't seem to stop, file a complaint if you need to. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. What Constitutes Harassment From a Neighbor. She knows what she is doing as far as coming outside whenever we are out. When the stalking order was thrown out I have periodocally update law enforcement. If you decide to file a noise complaint, keep in mind that you have to notify the police while its happening. She calls about the dog, my husband car hobby, kids, ect. For example, if your neighbor is harassing you about your dog due to the barking noise then you may want to check the local noise ordinance to ensure you aren't in the wrong. *If you are not in either of these areas, please contact your local attorney referral service. You can also request a hearing. It all started with noise problems I was having with neighbors #1 (barking dogs). Its almost guaranteed that you will DO or SAY the wrong things, which just make things worse. What Does It Mean When Someone Is Harassing You? Any harassing behavior over a period of time should be taken seriously. Even if its not during the quiet hours, the noise may go above every acceptable level, which is not something you should put up with. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Keep in mind that general noise ordinance might also apply (e.g. In most cases, it is common for the dispute to be settled in civil court, and both people keep a polite distance from each other for the rest of their time as neighbors. It can also hold up in court if you choose to sue your neighbors. When your neighbor disrupts your comfort by being loud or playing loud music, its time to do whatever you can to solve that issue and avoid further complications. It goes without saying that you should keep police reports whether you intend to use them or not. Persist until you really understand why they are feeling the way they are even if their concern is based on misinformation or an immature way of seeing things. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. If you prefer contacting via email, click here to request a lawyer. What to say when the person answers the door: "Hi, [neighbor's name]. After youve imagined what a positive outcome might look like, you should then eliminate your anger, frustration and stress about the situation and feel calm, strong and confident about creating a positive change. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). The urge to be to a kind neighbor does not extend to any situation where you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. You are also entitled to protection from violent behavior and threats of violence and assault. Small things like continually walking on your property or knocking on your windows to "just say hello" are not legal or appropriate. If it happens that your neighbors dont respect your agreement, you should politely remind them to stick to it. Its a little like saying, My dog is misbehaving. Register for DoNotPay to send your neighbors a demand letter when reasoning doesnt work. For purposes of New York and New Jersey State ethics rules, please take notice that this website and its case reviews may constitute attorney advertising. Which can be dangerous because what if someone robs us. FindLaw.com Free, trusted legal information for consumers and legal professionals, SuperLawyers.com Directory of U.S. attorneys with the exclusive Super Lawyers rating, Abogado.com The #1 Spanish-language legal website for consumers, LawInfo.com Nationwide attorney directory and legal consumer resources. After a judge grants a restraining order or injunction, if the terms get violated, your neighbor could get arrested and jailed. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. No, the next thing to do is IMAGINE more specifically, to visualize the way youd like things to be with your neighbor instead of the way things are. Police reports also count as evidence that you have been the victim of neighbor harassment and that youve already turned to authorities looking for protection. Just because a neighbor "was there first" or they claim things were "always done this way" does not mean they can harass you. 2. It starts again. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. You cant produce a positive outcome if youre sitting on negative, angry or hostile feelings. An attorney can help you understand what type of case it is since the lines between civil lawsuits and criminal charges can be very thin. In this article, you can learn what constitutes harassment by a neighbor, how to handle it nicely, and how to document neighbor harassment. If the harassment is more serious, keep a record of everything that happens including dates, times, and what was said or done. If you have anyone whos witnessed your neighbors harassing behavior, you should have that person confirm your claims against the perpetrator. You may be accused of harassment if they approach you about the situation and you continue to let your dogs out in the same spot, creating unreasonable noise at the same time every day. You should always try the amicable approach first, but if it doesnt work, there are some. Our app is designed to help people deal with everyday problems and get the justice they deserve, so weve got you covered. Since more than one instance has occurred, it will likely qualify as harassment. However recently we realized that our neighbor has a mental condition. My mother in law lives with us, and the second hand smoke bothers her. When a neighbor is verbally offending or assaulting you, if the situation allows it, try to record the offense. My neighbor has been harassing my family for close to 10years. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. How Do I Decide What Type of Will Is Best For Me. All rights reserved. The more rude they are, the more concerned and curious you can be. The harassment charges can become a felony if: Suing them may just be one part of the case if criminal activity is involved. Dealing with harassing neighbors can be tricky, especially when they have a bad temper. |, WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT A NEIGHBOR HARASSING ME, Nuisance, such as leaving garbage about or not mowing the lawn. Do not "take matters into your own hands" when you are facing criminal harassment. to send your neighbors a demand letter when reasoning doesnt work. DoNotPay will be more than happy to help you put an end to the issue with your neighbor or any other form of disturbance, but thats not all we can dowe have a wide range of other services that you can use. Neighbor harassment can be more or less alarming, but in any case, you should take action against it. Thats why you should approach the situation carefully. The police or the judge cant take anything you say for granted. Having noisy neighbors is so common that we often consider it a part of the whole living-in-a-building experience. Use TheLaw.com's FREE Case Review now! But when does a frequent annoyance cross the line into your neighbor harassing you? The harassment might be coming from one bully on the board. Most people like to believe its possible to scout out a good neighborhood, but renters and homeowners alike often find themselves surprised. And theres the rub right there intention. Thats why it is crucial to answer the following question: what does it mean when someone is harassing you? If your neighbor didnt commit any crime, then it will be a civil lawsuit. I think that people basically have to discover even more about themselves in the first place simply because its only with propper insight and education that we will make a distinction. T (727) 847-2288 Email:contactus@rdwaller.com, Law Office of Roland D. Waller5332 Main StreetNew Port Richey, Florida 34652. With DoNotPays speedy service, even the most tiresome task will be complete in a flash! To rise to the level of harassment, you must be able to prove that your neighbor is causing the problems in an effort to frighten or frustrate you. Heres what you should do: Not only is this letter important in making the person in question stop harassing you, but it can also serve as evidence if needed in the future. There is not just one right way. . Listen to your gut feelings if you think you are being watched or someone keeps making a "mistake." It is also crucial to know that any attack on either your property or yourself (or any other family member) calls for action. Div. 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