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What to do with neighbors who are a nuisance?

As a councilor with the Petaling Jaya City Council, I often receive complaints about noisy neighbors who wake you up in the middle of the night or sometimes early in the morning. I have to handle the situation carefully, or else I myself will be in hot soup. The complaints are mainly:

1. Dull thuds of base tones vibrating from your walls
2. The constant barking of dogs all night long
3. Noisy motorbike sounds on high speed
4. Karaoke singing way past midnight
5. Terrible trumpet sound breaking through the air without any warning
6. Stinking smell of dog poo blowing through the main door

According to a report, noisy neighbors are a national epidemic. So what can you do if you have such a neighbor? You are facing a sticky situation. Say the wrong things and you might have court battle on your hands. If you choose to ignore the problem, then you and your family will continue to suffer.

Before you make a complaint to the local authority, try your best to make an effort to speak to your neighbor about the problem you are facing. Some people haven’t a clue that they are being such a nuisance. They may change after you speak to them. However, if the problem continues, make one last effort to notify your neighbor of your discomfort in a letter. If that doesn’t work, notify the local authorities and the police in writing and forward a copy of your complaint letter to your neighbor. If you are staying in Kuala Lumpur, maybe you can seek Dato Michael Chong of MCA Public Complaints Bureau, he may give you some good tips.

This article was written by : Dr.Wong Chee Yong PJK, Poly Properties