Neighbors on the dacha: how to resolve conflicts?

With a lawyer, we look at how to resolve conflicts with neighbors on the dacha. Write in the comments about the problems you have encountered, and we will make a second part.

Yury Kryukov — legal expert, runs his own blog on Instagram @vkursedela about the rights of co-owners and apartment owners

Animals scare children, trample flowers, and owners don't clean up after their dogs. Can you influence them in any way?

Yes! In December 2018, a law on responsible treatment of pets was adopted. Dogs can now only be walked with muzzles and leashes, and you must always clean up after them. For violating the law, owners can be held administratively liable.

For this, you will need:

• record inappropriate behavior of the animal on video;

• find out who is the owner;

• file a complaint to the police.

As a result of your complaint, violators will be fined. In Moscow Oblast, the amounts vary from 100 to 1500 rubles. With repeat offenses, the responsibility increases, and with repeated violations, pets may be confiscated.

You can report stray animals to local self-government bodies: they deal with capturing and sterilizing.

Our neighbor started construction. They bang, saw, and drill in the morning. What to do?

The noise law will protect you: noise from renovation work and construction equipment is allowed only during specific time intervals.

For example, in Moscow Oblast, noise is allowed:

• Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00;
• Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00;
• On Sundays and holidays, renovation work is prohibited.

What if neighbors love noisy parties with fireworks?

For such cases, restrictions are also provided. In Moscow Oblast, noise is allowed Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 21:00 (the break from 13:00 to 15:00 applies only to sound equipment).

On weekends and holidays — from 10:00 to 22:00, with the same restriction on sound equipment as during weekdays.

You can file a complaint to the police or call the local officer about noisy neighbors. Don't forget about witnesses and video evidence.

Neighbor builds a garage right up to the fence

First, file a complaint with the local administration and police. If necessary, repeat this and only then go to court.

It is fastest to resolve such problems if the construction has not yet been completed. Courts may retain illegal structures if they do not threaten life and property of neighbors.

Neighbors climb over the fence onto your territory

1. Call a cadastral engineer who will mark boundaries in accordance with data from Rosreestr. It is advisable to do this in the presence of neighbors.
2. If the dispute continues, order a land surveying expert opinion, also inviting neighbors. Perhaps at this stage, you can resolve the issue amicably.
3. If negotiations fail, file a lawsuit.

Neighbors dump snow over the fence onto the common road in winter

If they interfere with traffic, this is an administrative offense with a fine of 5 to 10 thousand rubles.

Document the violation and file a complaint with the police.

Neighbors constantly complain

For example, about the shadow cast by birch trees onto their plot, roots of birches preventing them from tilling the garden, or birch pollen causing allergies in their grandson. Are such complaints lawful?

First of all, make sure the complaints are justified. If your trees prevent neighbors from using their plot properly, they have the right to go to court.

According to SNIP standards, the distance from tall trees to a fence should be at least 4 meters. Branches casting large shadows on the neighbor's plot should be trimmed.

If possible, try to resolve the conflict amicably. Because neighbors are here for a long time, and you might have to live next to them for years.