Neighbors at the dacha: how to resolve conflicts?

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

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

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

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

For this, you need:

• record the inappropriate behavior of the animal on video;

• find out who its owner is;

• submit a complaint to the police.

As a result of your complaint, violators will be fined. In Moscow Oblast, fines range from 100 to 1500 rubles. With repeated violations, the responsibility increases, and with multiple violations, the pet may be confiscated.

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

Our neighbor started construction. They bang, cut, 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 certain time intervals.

For example, in Moscow Oblast, noise is allowed:

• Monday to 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?

There are also restrictions for such cases. In Moscow Oblast, noise is allowed Monday to 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. An unlawful structure may be kept by court decision if it does not threaten the life and property of neighbors.

Neighbors climbed over the fence onto your property

1. Call a cadastral engineer who will mark the boundaries according to data from Rosreestr. It is advisable to do this in the presence of neighbors.
2. If the dispute continues, hire a land surveying expert and also invite neighbors. Perhaps at this stage, it is possible to resolve the issue amicably.
3. If an agreement cannot be reached, 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 ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles.

Document the violation and submit a complaint to the police.

Neighbors constantly complain

For example, about the shadow cast by birch trees onto their land, roots of birches that prevent them from tilling the garden, or birch pollen which causes allergies in their grandson. Are such complaints justified?

First of all, ensure that the complaints are valid. If your trees prevent neighbors from fully using their land, they have the right to go to court.

According to SNIP standards, the distance from tall trees to a fence should be no less than 4 meters. Branches casting large shadows on neighboring plots should be trimmed.

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