Disagreements with neighbours can arise in many ways and often escalate when left unaddressed. Whether the issue is over property boundaries, interference with light, access rights, noise, or overgrown hedges and trees, knowing your options early can help you resolve things sensibly.
Court is always a last resort with neighbour disputes and at BTMK we’ve got the skill, expertise and experience to make sure that when something as heated as a boundary dispute or other dispute between you and a neighbour arises, you’re properly advised and protected, and every step is taken to ensure that the court sees you as the reasonable party.
And if the only course of action is court, we have experienced, specialist litigators resolved to fight your corner and getting you the best possible outcome.
At BTMK Solicitors you will find the practical guidance and support you need to navigate these situations calmly and effectively.
BTMK Solicitors, has also been recognised as a top 250 law firm in The Times’ Best Law Firms Report 2025, for their high-quality legal services.
It’s the second year in a row and the report specifically references BTMK’s litigation & dispute resolution team which specialises in commercial and contract disputes, inheritance, wills and probate disputes, insolvency & employment law, as well as personal injury and clinical negligence work.
Boundary Disputes
Boundary disputes remain among the most common neighbour conflicts.
They can arise from misplaced fences, unclear title plans or historic conveyance documents that do not align with current use. These small differences can lead to confusion and disagreement, especially since Land Registry plans are not definitive on their own.
These disputes quickly escalate and as a litigation team that’s been involved in over 200 mediations and alternative dispute resolution methods, we’ll always try and ensure that not only do you get the best outcome.
There are other frequent sources of neighbour friction too:
Right of Light Disputes
Your neighbour may be building an extension or modifying their property. If it impacts on your property, we can help to ensure your rights are protected. Working alongside specialist surveyors we can advise on your position and if needed secure a modification to the design of their building before it impacts on valuable light to your property.
Party Wall Disputes
If you or your neighbour are planning redevelopment works to your property, both of you must ensure that you comply with strict Party Wall legislation. If Party Wall Awards are not made when they should be, or if Awards are made where they shouldn’t be or if a surveyor has simply got it wrong, we’ll guide you through this very complex area of the law. We can apply to the County Court where necessary and we work with some of the best party wall surveyors, in a domestic and commercial capacity.
Harassment and injunctions
Sometimes neighbours just can’t or won’t get on. These disputes are rarely easy to deal with and can become nasty, quickly. Mediation is always the preferred solution, however, sometimes this won’t work out. We’ll handle your case as smoothly as is possible. We can work to obtain restraining orders and injunctions to protect your family and your property. When a neighbour dispute escalates, it’s a particularly difficult situation. You need firm but sensible legal advice and specialists that show you’re resolute in protecting your property and family.
Rights of Way and Property Disputes
These disputes are highly complicated. They require an understanding of property law and land law and you need lawyers who can offer the highest quality of advice to ensure that you always adopt the correct legal position.
Sometimes it seems there’s no clear answer but often it just needs to be uncovered.
Other Disputes
Then there are noise and nuisance issues, persistent loud music, barking dogs, or construction noise, that may fall under statutory nuisance rules enforceable by the local council.
Trees, hedges and overhanging branches are another common area of concern.
You do have the right to trim branches or roots crossing into your garden at the boundary, provided you do not damage the tree and you offer the cuttings back to the owner. Hedge height or overgrowth that affects enjoyment of your property may be addressed through High Hedges regulations.
Our specialist team helps you get the best possible results or will help you find an alternative solution. Call us today.
Check your title deeds and land registry documents to understand what rights you have. Sometimes an informal conversation may be all it takes to resolve the issue. If that does not work, mediation can help you find a solution without going to court. At BTMK we regularly use mediation as it has the advantage of preserving relationships and avoiding high costs.
For disputes involving light or access, it is often best to seek our legal advice early. Working alongside expert surveyors we can precisely assess boundary locations or conduct rights of light analysis and build your case.
Boundary disputes often call for qualified experts to determine where legal boundaries lie. If you suspect interference with your right of light, get in touch with us a s a matter of urgency.
If you need to access a neighbour’s land to carry out essential repairs, and they will not grant permission, we can help you apply for an access order under the 1992 Act. That requires careful preparation and clear communication with the neighbour first.
For noise or nuisance, your local council may become involved if the disturbance is statutory. For high or obstructive hedges and trees, your council can issue a High Hedge Notice under the applicable regulations.
If mediation and early discussions do not resolve the matter, litigation becomes the final step. Courts are not your first option. Court cases can become unreasonably expensive, sometimes exceeding the value of the dispute and even if you are successful courts have been known to award court costs to the winning party.
In boundary disputes a court may award damages but is not obligated to order a boundary moved.
If your right of light has been infringed, the court may also award damages or grant an injunction to remove or modify a development. But legal action is costly and disruptive, and it is always better to seek an agreement if possible.
In cases of access, if you have tried and failed to obtain agreement from your neighbour, then applying for a court order is a riskier yet sometimes necessary fallback.
Going to court without having attempted alternative dispute resolution can affect cost awards against you.
BTMK has expert and experienced mediators who can try to resolve your dispute as quickly as possible.
Right from the start, getting advice from the specialists at BTMK Solicitors can make a real difference. Many disputes become more costly and painful the longer they continue. As seen in boundary disputes over mere inches or hedge height, the financial stakes can quickly escalate.
And once your neighbour has made structural changes, such as an extension that blocks light, reversing that becomes costly and difficult. Prompt action and proper documentation can help you resolve things while relationships remain intact.
At BTMK Solicitors, you will receive tailored, sensible guidance on all types of neighbour and boundary disputes. Whether it’s informal negotiation, coordination with expert surveyors, mediation or representing you under the Pre-Action Protocol for Property Disputes. We’ll help you navigate the process effectively and cost-consciously.
We also understand the value of preserving good relations with your neighbour, while protecting your rights. Our team will work with you to explore all avenues to maintain good relationships as much as possible.
If you are facing a neighbour dispute, speak to BTMK Solicitors’ litigation and dispute resolution team. We are here to help you move forward calmly and wisely. Speak to us now for a no-obligation consultation.
