If you have a dispute with your neighbour try these steps
- Try to solve the problem informally by talking to them or writing to them
- If your neighbour is a tenant, you could contact their landlord.
- You could use a mediation service if raising the issue informally does not work, Ashford Mediation offer this service, contact them at info@ashfordmediation.co.uk or call 07845 914838
- If the dispute involves a statutory nuisance (something like loud music or barking dogs), you can make a complaint to Ashford Borough Council see https://www.ashford.gov.uk/your-community/community-safety/anti-social-behaviour-asb/
- Contact the police if your neighbour is breaking the law by being violent or harassing you, see https://www.kent.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb-v3/report-antisocial-behaviour/
- As a last resort you can take legal action through the courts, you can find a lawyer who deals with a neighbour disputes on our website at https://ashfordadvice.org/solicitors
If the dispute is about a CCTV camera(s) overlooking you property there is additional information here
If the dispute is about tree or hedges, you must try to settle the dispute informally before the council can intervene.
You can complain to Ashford Borough Council if, 2 or more mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs are over 2 metres tall and affecting your enjoyment of your home or garden because it’s too tall
You should discuss the problem with a member of the Compliance/Enforcement Team before submitting your complaint and for this reason the forms and guidance notes will only be available by this method. For more information and advice please call 01233 331111.
You can trim branches or roots that cross into your property from a neighbour’s property or a public road, you can only trim up to the property boundary. If you do more than this, your neighbour could take you to court for damaging their property.
If you live in a conservation area, or the trees in the hedge are protected by a ‘tree preservation order’, you might need the council’s permission to trim them.
If your property borders a road, the highways authority can ask you to cut back hedges or trees on your property if they’re causing an obstruction in the road. If you refuse, they can go into your property without your permission to do the work themselves. They may charge you for this.
Your neighbour is responsible for maintaining their hedges so they do not, for example, damage your property or grow too high. If they do damage your property, your neighbour may be liable.
Last Updated on May 1, 2026 by Ashford Advice