Your Neighbourhood

The Association is committed to ensuring our tenants live in well-maintained neighbourhoods where they feel safe. 

If you have any suggestions for how your neighbourhood could be improved the Association is keen to hear them.  Phone, email, write or use the feedback form below to tell us your ideas. 

Neighbour Disputes                    

 Neighbour disputes can and do occur in any neighbourhood.  It is a requirement of the tenancy agreement that tenants and their visitors behave in a considerate manner to their neighbours at all times. 

If you are experiencing problems with your neighbour, most issues can be resolved by discussing the matter directly with them.  Often they may not realise that they are causing a problem and the situation will be resolved. 

Noise is the commonest cause for complaint between neighbours.  If you are experiencing noise problems, see our section on Noise for advice on how to deal with it. 

If you do not feel comfortable approaching your neighbour or you have been unable to resolve the matter yourselves you can contact the Association for advice.  We treat all neighbour complaints confidentially. 

If the problem involves criminal behaviour, such as vandalism, harassment, abuse or drug taking we advise tenants to always contact Grampian Police on 0845 600 5 700.  Our Neighbourhood Services team is experienced in resolving disputes between neighbours but all criminal matters should be reported to the Police in the first instance and the Association then updated. 

Anti-social Behaviour 

The Association does not tolerate anti-social behaviour in our neighbourhoods.  We work closely with other organisations to deal effectively with tenants and their visitors who disrupt their neighbours.  It can be a complicated area and often takes time to resolve.   

If you are experiencing ongoing anti-social behaviour problems with your neighbour, there are a couple of things you can do to help the Association deal with the problem.

• Keep a diary of the dates and times of anti-social behaviour incidents
• Always report criminal behaviour to the police and excessive noise or anti-social behaviour to ASBIT (Aberdeen City only – see Noise) 

If the Association’s attempts to resolve ongoing disputes have failed , legal action against the tenants responsible will be considered.  This could take the form of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order or even result in eviction.

Prejudice and Harassment 

The Association operates a zero tolerance policy on prejudice.  Any tenant found to be harassing their neighbour motivated by race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or gender is in danger of losing their tenancy. 

If you are experiencing prejudice in your neighbourhood please contact the Association and the Police as soon as possible.

Noise  

If you are experiencing noise problems here are a few steps you can take to help resolve it.  

• Speak to your neighbour.
  Let your neighbour know that the noise they are making is disturbing you.  If you are feeling annoyed by their behaviour, give yourself time to calm down before speaking to them.  Arguments between neighbours can make the problem worse.  
• Contact the Anti-Social Behaviour Team (Aberdeen City tenants only)The team is available between 9am and 4am every day on 0122 523000.  If you are experiencing unreasonable levels of noise from your neighbour, the team can offer advice or even attend to investigate.  ASBIT has powers to issue warnings, fines and even confiscate noise-making equipment.   If you are a tenant in Aberdeenshire or Moray, contact Grampian Police Service Centre on 0845 600 5 700.  
• Contact the Association. 
  The Association will handle all neighbour complaints with confidentiality.  If you have an ongoing noise problem with your neighbour we would always advise you to contact ASBIT or the Police as well.  The powers we have to deal with this type of problem are limited and we need as much supporting information as possible, particularly in the form of ASBIT reports and incident numbers.