06. Neighbour disputes

If you are constantly disturbed by noisy neighbours, you should contact the environmental health officer at your local council. They can serve an 'abatement' notice or, in some cases, take away equipment (such as a stereo system). Or you can go to the county court to get an injunction to stop the noise. These procedures may also be used for some other kinds of nuisance.

In cases of harassment or anti-social behaviour by other tenants, you should tell your council or landlord. Some councils have mediation schemes to sort out disputes between neighbours. If the problem is serious, the landlord may take out an injunction to get the offenders to stop, or to evict them. Some councils and registered social landlords have their own policies to protect tenants who may be harassed because of their race or sex or if they are gay.

If you can't afford your rent
If you have a low income, you may be able to get housing benefit through your local council to help you pay your rent. Your savings, as well as your income, will be used to work out whether you can get benefit, and if so, how much.

Most people who can claim housing benefit can also claim Council Tax Benefit. Contact the Department for Work and Pensions, your local council or your local Citizens Advice Bureau for more information about housing benefit and how to apply for it. For more information about claiming benefits generally and your rights to benefits, see the Community Legal Service Direct leaflet 'Welfare Benefits'.

If you are behind with your rent, and having problems with debt, see the Community Legal Service Direct leaflet, 'Dealing with Debt'.