Neighbours/Dispute Form

Neighbours/Dispute Information – Fill out form 

We are all entitled to live in a safe, healthy and peaceful environment. Tenants must respect the rights of others, including the right of all to the quiet enjoyment of their property.

Connect Housing Group can only intervene and suggest solutions to neighbourhood disputes where we have authority to do so under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008.

If a neighbour believes the tenant is interfering with their quiet enjoyment of their home, they may speak to the property manager/owner.

If a neighbour complains, the property manager/owner may want to address the issue with the tenant. However, they are not responsible for a tenant's behaviour or actions and are not obliged to act when a neighbour complains about the tenant.

Connect Housing Group cannot play the role of the police or the Dispute Resolution Centre.

If your neighbour is engaging in illegal activity, you can anonymously report it to Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.  If the police investigate and prove that the person has engaged in illegal activity, we may then be able to breach that person under the Residential and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008.

If you have a dispute with your neighbour contact the Dispute Resolution Centre on 4967 4404

 (Mackay/Bowen area) or 3738 7000 (Brisbane area).

Connect Housing Group will not involve itself in the resolution of disputes unless evidence can be provided and substantiated that there is a problem causing significant distress to the neighbourhood/neighbours.

Where there are repeated neighbour disruptions and the police have been notified, Connect Housing Group will accept complaints orally and in writing, however complex complaints may be able to be more thoroughly investigated if lodged in writing. The following information will help in the investigation and resolution of the issue:

·         Time, date and place of incident

·         Names of those involved

·         Exactly what happened

·         Were you directly affected? If so, how?

·         Were police called? If so, did they attend?

·         What was the Police Incident Number?

·         Was there any damage to the property? If so, what?

·         Damage will be charged to the tenant unless there is a Police Incident Number.

·         Any other evidence which may assist in the investigation.

Connect Housing Group cannot control the behaviour of people.  However, if tenants or their visitors are involved in behaviour that substantially disrupts the lifestyle of other people in the neighbourhood, we may seek to terminate the tenancy.

Other Useful Contacts:

QSTARS (Qld Statewide Tenancy Advice and Referral Service) is a free independent advice and referral service for all Queensland renters.  They can assist with advice and assistance to understand your tenancy rights and responsibilities, support to resolve your tenancy issue, advocacy support to talk to your lessor or agent and other services.  Phone the QSTARS statewide advice number on 1300 744 263.

What do I do if I have a problem with my neighbour?

Minor disputes or disruptions – these are everyday disruptions that may impact upon daily life, such as noise from televisions and stereos and pets causing a nuisance.

Talk to the person concerned and attempt to resolve the situation agreeably.

Neighbourhood disruptions – these are one-off situations that cause disruption, such as domestic disputes or noisy parties.

Talk to the person concerned or contact PoliceLink on 131444 for assistance.

Repeated neighbourhood disruptions – these are repeated disruptive behaviours that spoil a person’s lifestyle, such as a neighbour who has frequent noisy parties.

Contact the Police on 131444 for assistance when the party is occurring so they can take immediate action.

Then report it to Connect Housing Group (Use attached Neighbours/Disputes/ Complaints/Appeals Form)

Long-term personal conflict – these disputes result from a conflict of values between neighbours.

Contact the Mackay Dispute Resolution Centre on 4967 4404 or South Queensland Dispute Resolution Centre on 3738 7000 for mediation. This is free.

If mediation fails, contact Connect Housing Group’s Tenancy Manager on 4953 4952 for advice.

Serious disputes – these are situations such as serious domestic violence disputes or where there is a risk to a person or property.

If there is immediate danger, contact the Police on 000.

Then inform the Connect Housing Group Tenancy Manager on 4953 4952.