Keep a Diary
One of the most important things you can do when dealing with a difficult neighbour is to keep a detailed, accurate diary of all incidents and interactions. This documentation becomes invaluable evidence if you need to take formal action.
Why Keep a Diary?
A well-maintained diary serves multiple purposes:
- Evidence: Provides concrete proof of ongoing problems for council, police, courts, or mediation
- Patterns: Helps identify patterns in behavior that might not be obvious day-to-day
- Credibility: Shows authorities you've been taking the matter seriously and documenting systematically
- Memory Aid: Human memory fades—written records don't
- Emotional Processing: Writing things down can help you process stressful events
💡 Start From Day One
Begin keeping a diary as soon as problems start, even if you think they might resolve quickly. It's much harder to reconstruct events accurately weeks or months later.
What to Record
For each incident or interaction, document the following details:
Date and Time
Always include the exact date and time (or approximate time if exact isn't possible). This helps establish patterns and frequency.
What Happened
Describe the incident factually and objectively. Stick to observable facts, not interpretations or assumptions about motives.
Duration
Note how long the incident lasted. This is especially important for noise complaints.
Witnesses
Record names of anyone else who witnessed the incident. Their testimony may be valuable later.
Your Response
Note what you did in response—whether you spoke to the neighbour, called police, etc.
Impact
Briefly note how the incident affected you—sleep disruption, stress, inability to use your property, etc.
How to Keep Your Diary
Format Options
- Physical Notebook: Traditional but effective. Use a bound notebook (not loose pages) as it's harder to claim you added entries later.
- Digital Document: Convenient and searchable. Date each entry and save regularly with backups.
- Spreadsheet: Allows easy sorting and pattern identification. Good for tracking frequency.
- Dedicated Apps: Some diary or journal apps timestamp entries automatically.
Writing Style
Keep your entries:
- Factual: Describe what you saw, heard, smelled—not what you think happened or why
- Objective: Avoid emotional language or name-calling
- Specific: Include details like decibel levels, exact words said, measurements
- Legible: If handwritten, ensure it's readable
- Contemporaneous: Write entries as close to the event as possible
⚠️ Good vs. Bad Diary Entries
❌ Bad: "The idiots next door were being noisy again tonight. They're such inconsiderate jerks!"
✅ Good: "15/2/2026, 11:30pm-1:45am. Loud music from next door (23 Smith St). Bass audible throughout our house. Could hear lyrics clearly in our bedroom. Prevented sleep. Witness: my partner Jane Doe. Noise ceased at 1:45am."
Supporting Evidence
Enhance your diary with additional documentation:
- Photos: Take dated photos of issues like rubbish, property damage, fence problems
- Videos: Record noise, aggressive behavior, or property violations (be aware of privacy laws)
- Audio Recordings: Can be useful for noise complaints
- Letters/Emails: Keep all written correspondence
- Council Reports: Note reference numbers for any complaints lodged
- Police Reports: Get incident numbers for any police involvement
- Medical Records: If stress causes health issues, keep medical documentation
Privacy and Security
Protect your diary and supporting evidence:
- Store it securely where your neighbour cannot access it
- Make regular backups (physical and digital)
- Consider storing a copy with a trusted friend or family member
- Be cautious about posting details on social media
- Follow privacy laws when recording audio or video
Sample Diary Entry
Date: Tuesday, 15 February 2026
Time: 10:15pm - 12:30am
Incident: Loud party at 23 Smith Street (next door). Approximately 20-30 people in backyard. Music audible throughout our home—could clearly hear lyrics and conversation. Bass caused our windows to vibrate. Multiple times, loud shouting and glass breaking sounds.
Witnesses: Partner (Jane Doe) and daughter (Sarah, age 16) both woken by noise.
Action Taken: Called non-emergency police line at 11:45pm. Incident number: INC123456. Police attended at 12:15am. Party volume reduced slightly but continued until 12:30am.
Impact: Unable to sleep. Sarah has school exam tomorrow and was distressed about sleep disruption.