Reasons to Call the Police on Your Neighbors – And When Not To

As a Staunton renter, one of the most problematic things to deal with is bad neighbors. There might come a time when you need to contact the cops about your neighbors. Several considerations must be taken into account before making this decision, therefore it should not be taken lightly. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some reasons why you might want to report your neighbors to the cops along with a few instances where you shouldn’t. This knowledge will allow you to make a well-informed decision if and when the time finally comes to contact local police authorities.

Reasons to Call the Police on Your Neighbors

When common disagreements emerge with your neighbors, your best line of action is to attempt to resolve the issue with them directly. There are several things you can do to end the conflict amicably, such as discussing it with them or offering a solution.

Nevertheless, there are situations in which you must call the police. Including:

• Your neighbors threaten you and your rental property.
• Your neighbors routinely enter your property without permission and/or damage it.
• You feel unsafe as a result of your neighbors’ hazardous, violent, or other inappropriate behavior.
• Your neighbors are involved in crime.
• Late at night, your neighbors are causing major disruption (e.g., loud music) and refuse to cease when asked.
• You notice smoke or flames coming from within the house, hear gunshots, or have other reasons to think that your neighbors may be in danger.

In these cases, it is necessary to contact the police or another relevant authority and allow them to deal with the issue. Not only can they assist in defusing the situation, but they may also be able to help you file a police report for protection. Attempting to intervene without adequate expertise or knowledge may also exacerbate the situation.

Reasons Not to Call the Police on Your Neighbors

Before contacting the police, it is necessary to assess the situation and ensure you are not exaggerating. It is advisable to try and talk things out with your neighbors first, especially if they have different beliefs or lifestyles from yours.

Keeping in mind that the police can be a source of authority and power, it is crucial to exercise that power appropriately. For small problems or circumstances beyond your neighbors’ control, it is not a good idea to call the police (e.g., loud children). If your Staunton property manager knows your neighbors and can settle the conflict, you might wish to call them first. Additional circumstances in which contacting the police is not advised include:

• Your neighbors arguing with one another or another person may cause the situation to unnecessarily escalate.
• Slight annoyances are caused by your neighbors, such as when they park on the street in front of your house.
• Your neighbors have overgrown weeds, garbage, or other eyesores in the yard. This is something you should report to the HOA, not the police so long as you live in an HOA.
• Even though you disagree with their actions, they are neither violent, threatening, nor against the law.
• Even though they aren’t breaking any laws, your neighbors are occasionally loud (e.g., when hosting a casual meeting or game night).

When considering whether or not to call the police on your neighbors, it is necessary to review all relevant aspects and how they may affect both you and your neighbors. Furthermore, if you decide to approach law authorities, you should inform your landlord of the circumstance. As a renter, it is necessary to remember that maintaining strong connections with your neighbors is a core part of a positive renting experience.

If you have followed all of this advice and are still unable to live in harmony with your current neighbors, it may be a good time to start over. Real Property Management Summit has wonderful listings in quality communities, and we’d be pleased to assist you in finding your new home. Browse our listings online today!