What Constitutes Neighbor Harassment?
- Written By: Traci Behringer
- Edited By: A. Joseph
- Last Modified Date: 12 May 2013
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2003-2013 Conjecture Corporation
Neighbor harassment is a problem that can exist in any neighborhood, and it can be similar to defamation of character. Little things such as not returning a wrench might be irritating, but it does not quite constitute neighbor harassment. Normally, what does qualify as neighbor harassment are incidents of slander, or derogatory statements made to other neighbors. A person repeatedly damaging a neighbor's property, intentionally violating noise ordinances, trespassing or putting things — such as garbage — on a neighbor's property also can constitute neighbor harassment.
If a person trashes a neighbor's name, this can qualify as both neighbor harassment and even a viable reason to sue. It can be very difficult to prove in a court of law that a neighbor has committed harassment, but the effects can be very obvious and damaging. For example, if a person tells others in the community that a neighbor cooks diseased food that has been served to others, this can lead to the community shunning the neighbor or could even have an effect on the neighbor's professional life.
Another major problem people face when dealing with a harassing neighbor is the truth behind the neighbor's statements. Many people feel that in order for harassment to occur, the victim must have the character for the neighbor to defame. For instance, calling a bully a "thug" isn't harassment because the statement is made against no particular fact. In reality, whether a statement is true doesn't always take priority in the actual court hearing.
In some countries, it can be a problem to prove neighbor harassment of this sort because freedom of speech is legally protected. For the most part, courts agree that an opinion differs from fact, no matter how vicious the opinion is. A person can be legally allowed to express an opinion, but misrepresenting facts or lying about facts regarding a neighbor might be considered harassment.
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anon334320
Post 8 |
I just moved into HUD housing for senior and disabled people and the neighbors have been rude and intrusive since day one, have gossiped about me, stand and stare if I step outside my door. Just going to the car and back is stressful, doing such a simple thing as laundry. I've even caught a couple of people outside my window eavesdropping on phone calls. I am 60 years old and without family. I don't know how to handle this. |
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anon332521
Post 7 |
If you are being harassed with loud noise such as leaf blowers or lawn mowers, get on your mobile devices, go online and loudly play videos featuring the same sounds. They hate when you use their own tactics back on them but I guarantee it helps neutralize them. |
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anon324191
Post 6 |
I am currently being harassed or retaliated against in my apartment. My neighbors were having party after party, four weeks in a row. I got angry and stomped on the floor once and then reported them to management. Two neighbors heard me stomp and are now mad at me and keep having me get written up for things I am not doing and are against the lease. They are moving out at the end of the month, but they could do more write ups in that time. I too am on HUD and you can get kicked off pretty easily. Why the hell would I do things to get me kicked out, I ask? Seriously! Why can't they see this is retaliation? If I get one more, I will be out of here. Homeless. I am scared! I am an older woman and I will have to live in my car, after years of care giving to my husband who died two years ago. I never did anything to deserve this. I need advice. Should I get a lawyer? Should I file an anti-harassment order? Call the police? They will retaliate more. I know they will, because they have proven it. I am terrified in my home! All because I stomped on the floor. Wow. What can a person do when they are in this situation? It's their word against mine. I leave everyone alone, I don't talk to anyone, I am quiet! I even tiptoe in my home as to not bother the neighbors, but they are saying I am stomping, slamming doors, and more. It amazes me how two neighbors can come together and make life hell for another with lies and they don't seem to care. Not only do they not seem to care, they get a sick joy out of hurting others. It makes no sense to me. |
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anon318785
Post 5 |
I have neighbors who don't seem to like me and try to intimidate me by making me feel like they are constantly watching me. One of my windows faces their yard and every time I approach that room there's something moving, trying to let me know that they are watching. I know this sounds a little wacko, but we do have some beef over them throwing cigarette butts in my yard and holding parties late at night. I contacted the authorities and a community liaison talked to them, so I didn't have to intervene. Now they do that since they know that they cannot make the noise they used to and they can't throw garbage to my yard. They also try to intimidate me by showing up every time I am in my yard. I just started saying hi and they disappeared. Now is that kind of settled harassment. |
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anon311039
Post 4 |
I had to put up a surveillance system to document my neighbor's harassment. He has received several citations, and we are considering a lawsuit. |
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anon273648
Post 3 |
I feel your pain. I live in public housing and have people who have nothing better to do than to make life hell for other people. Their target is my 13 year old son. They have made false reports about my son and the roving manager just writes me up without talking to me. It's been causing a great deal of emotional stress. I don't know these people but I believe it's discrimination. They hate his friend, so therefore, they hate him too. They vowed to get them kicked out by any means necessary, they did, and now we are their target. I have lived here for eight years, with no huge problems, then in April, bam! Three stupid write-ups. |
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anon239853
Post 1 |
I live in HUD housing and I am disabled. Also there are seniors living here and two I know of are angry that disabled people are moving in. I have been harassed in the hallway, with hit and run verbal harassment as I'm walking down the hallway. They are making untrue statements complaints about me. I have been written up by my apartment management over gossip. Not to mention the "so called" harassment is knocking on a door and asking for a cigarette, which isn't true, but what happened was I asked to borrow a cup of sugar. I have no problem lending a cup of sugar, etc. As silly as this is, I have been written up two times and given no specifics other than I asked for a cigarette. |
