Previous, resolved neighbour dispute, to declare?

[Ellzbellzz01]

Hello,

I understand that neighbour disputes need to be declared when moving house, I have recently accepted an offer and on the paperwork it asks about ongoing disputes, past or present?

we had an issue with our neighbours dog barking for a few weeks when her working hours changed, although it wasn’t everyday as she was on half day sometimes. As I hate confrontation, I understand now this has back fired, I complained to the council so they would get an anonymous complaint letter. After this the council said no complaint to be brought forward as little evidence as only a normal level of barking, when needs to go out or post man coming etc. (When ND got the letter the barking ceased as someone now let’s dog out at lunchtime so doesn’t bark in afternoon). As this was never past the initial letter stage and the council said no evidence does this still need to be declared would you say? This was at the very start of the year, have lived in the house for five years and never a problem until then!

sorry for the long winded post 🫣
tTIA

yep

ask your solicitor is you want confirmation beyond mumsnet

but yes

you need to declare

you had a dispute. You lost. it was still a dispute!

If it’s resolved I don’t see why you’d have to mention it. My DM has an ongoing problem with neighbours, who are thankfully moving now. She asked their estate agent about it, but they said it’s only if police were involved. I’m not sure I believe them, as they’d lose a sale.

i think fact you’re asking mumsnet rather than you conveyancing solicitor would indicate you know the answer but you just don’t want that to be the case

You should declare it but say its now resolved. Once you move the neighbours could go back to their old routine.

it is a dispute
it was resolved
Not in favour of the OP
but still a dispute

Absolutely this. A tad underhand as well op, rather than going to thr neighbours to say, 'did you know when you're not here your dog barks for a bit when you leave?' They've obviously addressed it by straight away getting someone in. But your first move was official complaint?

rather backfired on her now!

Yes you will have to declare
These sort of things tend to catch us up and your actions have indeed backfired

Yes but you can state it was a dog barking due to working hours changing, it was 5 years ago and resolved at the time. No issues since.

The best person to help you word that is your conveyancing solicitor.

it was at the start of this year

We raised a complaint about a neighbours dog barking. A letter was sent and the neighbours responded positively by letting the dog out more, and so it no longer barks. Wouldn't put me off buying a house at all. Be honest. It is what it is. Not the end of the world.

This rule is why I would never raise a dispute against one of my neighbours.

@itistooeasy ah I missed the start of the year I read it as start of them moving in 5 years ago. Peri brain.

That makes it so much worse in terms of time scale but I would still get the conveyancing solicitor to help word it stressing the no issues since part.

Same here. I complained anonymously about the neighbour's dog barking. They got a letter, matter resolved. On the form I said more or less that.

(As it was so recent, you could also follow up with a letter to the neighbours thanking them for their response and confirming that the dog no longer barks?) It would be a nice thing to do - and completes your paper trail too, if ever needed.)

Yes. Unfortunate, but it’s your legal responsibility to do so.

Thankyou all, I understand this has back fired and now I’m reaping the consequences! I will contact conveyancing solicitor today, thanks for all replies

OP, you have to check with your solicitor, but I wouldn’t call this a dispute.

You made an anonymous complaint, and the issue was resolved with no official action being taken.

I can’t see how it would come back to bite you if the complaint was anonymous. No one would know it was you!

I don’t understand the PPs saying ‘you lost’. The dog stopped barking. I’d call that a win.

Oh. Just reread your post and realised you didn’t complain anonymously, but that the neighbours would have received an anonymous complaint. Still wouldn’t classify it as a dispute.

I wouldn't worry. Just declare it, state facts.

I complained to the council over a year ago about some neighbours whose dog barked for HOURS constantly every day!! No point knocking on their door as anyone who lets their dog bark like that is not a reasonable person. They knew it was a problem as others would shout over the fence at them to shut their dog up, but they didn't care. They tried to tell Council they didn't own a dog 🤣 Council were great and told them to sort dog out. Barely a peep now, so all resolved. Wish I'd complained years ago. I'd declare it and have no worries doing so.

I do wonder how it would ever be proven that the OP made a complaint by any new owners. I'd have thought the council wouldn't be able to release the details due to GDPR.

how did you know the council didn’t uphold the complaint as didn’t find the noise level sufficient

if they didn’t have your contact details op?

letter. After this the council said no complaint to be brought forward as little evidence as only a normal level of barking, when needs to go out or post man coming etc.

how did the council convey all this to you op

if it was anonymous ?

Sorry, I should rephrase, the complaint is anonymous coming from council to next door, not from us to council, iyswim