subject: Changes Mean Neighbour Agreements Can Now Be Bound By Law [print this page] This service is becoming an increasingly popular way of resolving neighbour disputes. This is due to the fact that it takes away the lengthy and costly process of taking someone to court, since both parties are now able to make the agreements legally binding.
There are many types of issues that can be dealt with through the NSW Government's free community mediation service. Many of these are common issues which may not warrant the time and money involved in a court case, but mediation could be a suitable and viable option.
Abandoned Vehicles
Disputes over Fences
Disputes over Pets
Disputes over Swimming Pools
Disputes over Trees
Disputes over Water
Noise Disputes
Neighbours Who Continuously Gather Rubbish
Problems with Air Pollution & Odours
Until recently the agreements reached through mediation could only be made in good faith'. However, if both parties agree, the results of the mediation can become legally enforceable such that both parties must uphold their side of the negotiation unless they wish to face legal action and have the agreement enforced upon them in court. While it is not likely that people will break their side of the agreement, seeing as they agreed on the outcome in mediation; it is often better to be safe than sorry. This is especially the case when mediation has been court-ordered since both parties want to put an end to the matter and not have to worry about it anymore.
The recent amendments remove the previous restriction in the Community Justice Centres Act that prevented legal enforcement, although the parties involved in the mediation can still choose to not make the agreement legally enforceable.
Other than mediation there are a variety of other ways to resolve your neighbour disputes:
Talking to your neighbour directly but politely
Ringing the Police
Communication with your local council
Local Court attendance
Changes Mean Neighbour Agreements Can Now Be Bound By Law
