Gary M. Singer is a Florida attorney and board-certified as an expert in real estate law by the Florida Bar. He practices real estate, business litigation and contract law from his office in Sunrise, Fla. He is the chairman of the Real Estate Section of the Broward County Bar Association and is a co-host of the weekly radio show Legal News and Review. He frequently consults on general real estate matters and trends in Florida with various companies across the nation. Send him questions online at sunsentinel.com/askpro or follow him on Twitter @GarySingerLaw.
Q: Ever since our new neighbor moved in six months ago, they have constantly left their dog out, and it never stops barking. We try to be patient, but it’s getting intolerable. What can we do? — Katya
A: Dealing with inconsiderate neighbors can be frustrating and stressful. For some people, it might be a barking dog; for others, it could be loud music, late-night parties, or other disturbances.
While local laws and ordinances vary, the general approach to resolving these issues remains the same.
First, handle the situation calmly and respectfully. Although the situation is upsetting, maintaining a decent relationship with your neighbor is important, as you don’t want to turn a disagreement into a feud.
Start by having a polite chat with them. They might not even realize their dog is causing a problem, especially if it barks when they’re not home. Explain the issue and how it affects you. Sometimes, a simple talk can lead to a quick fix.
If the barking persists, keep a record of the disturbances, including dates, times, and duration. This documentation will be useful if you need to escalate the issue later. Consider recording the noise as evidence, but be sure not to record any conversations with your neighbor without their permission or invade their privacy.
In the meantime, try practical solutions like using white noise machines or soundproofing your home to reduce the impact on your daily life.
If talking to your neighbor does not solve the problem, the next step is to review your local noise ordinances or animal control laws.
Many cities and towns have regulations about excessive barking.
Contact your community association’s property manager and your local municipality to report the issue and see if they can assist. Be ready to provide your documentation and any recordings you’ve collected.
Remember that enforcement can take some time, so practice patience.
If none of these methods work, consider consulting an attorney to see if they can provide a solution. For example, you might be able to file a lawsuit for nuisance. Just be aware that a lawsuit can be expensive and time-consuming before you decide to go that route.
Resolving noise issues can take time. Remember to stay persistent but polite.
A situation like this can be incredibly frustrating, but you do not want to make it worse by taking the wrong action.
