docmydisputeSign in

docmydispute · neighbour

A dispute with your neighbour. Document it and know where it goes.

Noise, boundaries, harassment, damage — logged in one dated record, with a clear view of where each type of problem gets taken.

Start your recordSee the free demo →

A tool of record — not legal advice.

The record · Neighbour dispute
Jun 8 · In person
Music past 1am again. Fourth time this month.
Jun 9 · Note
Logged time, duration, decibel app reading.
Jun 11 · Letter
Polite written request. Copy kept.
Jun 24 · Note
No change. Noise complaint filed with the city.
Illustrative record. Names and dates are examples.

Is this you?

Is this happening to you?

An ongoing problem with a neighbour that isn't stopping. If this is you:

  • Repeated noise at unreasonable hours
  • Damage to your property, fence, or land
  • Harassment, threats, or intimidation
  • A boundary or access dispute
  • Shared-property or HOA issues

One incident is "he said, she said." A dated record of many is a pattern — and whichever route your problem takes, the record is what it runs on.

How it works

Three steps.

  1. Capture

    Log each incident with its date and time, and add photos or video while it is fresh.

  2. Build

    Everything lands on one dated timeline that shows the pattern.

  3. Act

    Export a complete, dated record for whichever route fits your problem.

What to gather

For a neighbour dispute, these are the things people usually need. A guide, not a requirement — add whatever you have.

  • Dated log of each incident (time, duration, what happened)
  • Photos or video of the damage, boundary, or disturbance
  • Any written messages with the neighbour
  • Reports you have made to council, the HOA, or the police
  • Names and contact details of witnesses
  • Your lease, deed, survey, or HOA rules where relevant

Where this goes

Where to take it depends on what it is.

Unlike many disputes, a neighbour problem has no single authority above the other side. Where it goes depends on what kind of problem it is — and a dated record works for every one of these routes.

  • Noise or nuisance

    Local council / city code enforcement

    File a noise or nuisance complaint with your local council or code enforcement office. A dated log of each incident is what they act on.

  • Boundary, property damage, or unpaid costs

    Small claims court

    Small claims is generally designed to be used without a lawyer, and it runs on a documented case — photos, dates, and records.

  • Harassment, threats, or safety

    The police, and potentially a protective order

    Report it to the police and document every incident, dated. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

  • Shared-property or HOA issues

    The HOA's dispute process, or mediation

    Use the homeowners' association or body corporate's own dispute process, or take it to mediation.

  • General unresolved disputes

    Community mediation services

    Many areas offer free or low-cost community mediation for disputes that are stuck but not criminal.

General guidance, not legal advice. There is no single deadline — it depends entirely on the route, and the right route and any time limits vary by locality and problem type. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

When you hand it over

One file. The whole story, in order.

Whether it goes to code enforcement, small claims, the police, or a mediator, they all want the same thing: what happened, on what date, with the evidence attached.

A dated log of every incident

Time, duration, and what happened — recorded as it happened, not from memory.

The pattern, not just the last straw

One entry is an anecdote. Twenty dated entries are a pattern.

The evidence, indexed and attached

Photos, video, messages, and witness details — numbered and referenced.

It never invents events. The words are yours to approve.

Start today

The next call you make should be written down.

Start the record now, while the dates are still fresh. It costs nothing to look.

Start your recordSee the free demo →

Questions

Documenting a neighbour dispute

Who do I complain to about a neighbour?
It depends on the problem — noise to your local council or code enforcement, boundaries and damage to small claims court, harassment to the police, and shared-property issues to your HOA or mediation.
How do I document a neighbour dispute?
Log each incident with its date and time, add photos or video, note any damage and witnesses, and keep records of any reports you make.
Can I take a neighbour to small claims court?
For boundary disputes, property damage, or unpaid costs, small claims court is often the route — and it runs on a documented, dated case.
What if my neighbour is harassing me?
Document every incident with dates, report it to the police, and keep records; a dated pattern supports a report or an application for a protective order. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services.
What does docmydispute actually do?
It keeps a dated log of every incident and exchange, drafts written correspondence from that record for you to review before sending, and compiles a complete case file you can take to whichever route fits. It is a tool of record — it does not give legal advice.

Other situations

Dealing with more than one thing?

docmydispute works the same way for any dispute where someone has more power than you. A few others:

Denied insurance claimAn insurer that said no, and an appeal deadline running.Security deposit withheldA landlord who will not return what you are owed.Wage theft or unpaid wagesHours worked, wages never paid.Wrongful terminationFired for a reason that does not add up.

See every situation →