Neighbourhood law

There are laws in relation to many common areas of dispute between neighbours, including fences, noise, pets and trees.

Disputes between neighbours can be serious in their effect on everyday life, but legal intervention can be expensive and can take a long time.

Alternative methods of dispute resolution are more likely to solve the problem and keep some sort of friendship.

More information

Neighbourhood law – frequently asked questions

Dispute resolution

Victoria Law Foundation – ‘Neighbours, the law and you’ publication

Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria – Reaching Agreement

How we can help

Victoria Legal Aid doesn’t give legal advice about disputes between neighbours, but our free Legal Information Service may be able to give you some information over the phone. We may also be able to refer you to another organisation that can help you. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter.

Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.

Who else can help?

The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria has a free telephone service that will work with you to try to resolve your dispute. The centre will talk about your problem with you, discuss options, suggest negotiation strategies and organise mediation, if required.

Call (03) 9603 8370 or 1800 658 528 (country callers). You can also use the self-help tool on the disputeinfo website.