[Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr.] [FIRST AND LAST NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE]  [ZIP CODE]

Dear [FIRST NAME],

Families are the only people you can turn to in time of need.  It has always bothered me that so many friends disappear the minute you ask for help.  During tough times, you really find out who your friends are.

Because of pride, I have not told you the extent of my troubles. I thought things would be better by now and that my feet would be back on the ground.  But collection calls have become routine, and I’m afraid to go to my mail box.

Sleep doesn’t come easily as my mind races.  I wanted to call and tell you this, but I could not work up the courage.  I need your help to get through this.  If you could spare $[AMOUNT OF LOAN], it would get some of these people off my back so I could concentrate on my future.  You have my promise that you’ll have the money back in [DURATION OF LOAN IN MONTHS] months.  I am even willing to sign a promissory note to make you feel more at ease.  Should you decide not to lend me the money, I understand.  I’m sorry I have put you in this position, but I don’t have anywhere else to turn.  Think about it, and let me know either way.

Sincerely yours,
[NAME]

[Your Address][Neighbour’s name]
[Address / ‘Delivered by hand’]

[Date]

Dear [Neighbour’s name]/[If unknown, just address as ‘Dear Neighbour’],

Re: Dog barking

I live at [address], next door. I am writing in relation to a dog barking at your property. The specific dog barking seems to be a [colour and breed of dog].

The dog barking occurs: [select appropriate]

• During the night / during the day / during early morning hours before 7am
• When you go out and leave the dog alone for a period of time
• When you let the dog out early morning
• When someone walks past your property
• When I go out into my garden

You may have previously been unaware of this noise. However it affects me because it can be clearly heard in the habitable areas of my house [and prevents me from sleeping / prevents me from enjoying use of my garden].

If this issue is not resolved, the Environmental Health Department may take action to reduce the noise, which could result in you receiving a financial penalty.

I am keen to resolve this amicably; we are after all neighbours! I would therefore be grateful if you could [try to reduce any noise between 11pm and 7am / stop your dog from barking constantly at any time for more than 20 minutes / not let your dog outside when you are out of the house].

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Kind regards,

[Your signature]
[Your name]

Dear [name]

As you are aware, we have had a dispute over [brief summary – eg use of the shared driveway]. Whilst we disagree over this matter, we are neighbours and so do need to try to resolve this issue. I think that [a more formal meeting to clear the air / professional help from a mediator] may be the best way forward.

Please can you confirm that you are willing to [meet up / attend mediation]?

Best wishes,

[Name]
[Your house number]

[Your Address]

[Neighbour’s name]
[Address / ‘Delivered by hand’]

[Date]

Dear [Neighbour’s name]/[If unknown, just address as ‘Dear Neighbour’],

Re: Dispute regarding [summary of problem – eg use of shared driveway]

As you are aware, I live at [address], next door. I am writing in relation to the ongoing dispute that we have over [brief details of problem – eg use of the shared driveway including number of cars that we can each park on the driveway and where these can be parked to avoid blocking each other in].

I have previously tried to speak to you informally about this problem, and have also written to you. Unfortunately the problem is still ongoing.

We are neighbours and so I am keen to resolve this matter amicably. I would therefore request that we meet to discuss the problem more formally and try to reach a resolution.

[CHOOSE MOST SUITABLE OPTION]:

I would request that we meet at [location – eg a local public house or cafe at a time when you could quietly talk about the issue] on [date] at [time]. If you are unable to make this date/time, please let me know when would be more convenient for you.

[OR]

I would request that we attend mediation with [name of mediation service – if in England and Wales you can search for one at Civil Mediation]. A mediator is an experienced independent party who acts as a sort of referee to the dispute. There is a fee for this service, which I would offer to split equally. This will usually cost less than if we were both to hire solicitors and take legal action.

Please confirm your agreement to the above meeting [and fees – if mediation]. I am keen to resolve this issue.

Yours sincerely,

[Your signature]
[Your name]

[Your Address]

[Neighbour’s name]
[Address / ‘Delivered by hand’]

[Date]

Dear [Neighbour’s name/If unknown, just address as ‘Dear Neighbour’],

Re: Problems caused by ball games

I live at [address], next door. I am writing in relation to ball games played by your children in [description of area, e.g. the grass verge area in front of my property].

The problem(s) caused by the children’s ball games is/are: [select appropriate]

• The ball hits my property and has/could cause damage
• The ball regularly ends up in my garden
• Damage is being caused to my property by the children entering my garden to retrieve the ball
• My private property is being trespassed onto by the children entering my garden to retrieve the ball.

You may have previously been unaware of this problem. I am keen to resolve this issue amicably; we are after all neighbours! I would therefore be grateful if you could [ensure that your children don’t play ball games in this area / ask your children to knock on the door to get their ball back rather than just enter my garden.]

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Kind regards,

[Your signature]
[Your name]

Dear [name]

Just a quick note regarding dog poo [location – e.g. in the shared passageway / outside my gate]. It is both unhygienic and smells.

If it is your dog creating this mess, please can you try to discourage it from pooing in this area and clean up after the dog if it does? If it is not your dog, [I/we] will do some further investigating to find the owner.

Thanks for your help.

Best wishes,

[Name]
[Your house number]

Dear [name]

Just a quick note regarding where your car is parked. This is [making it more difficult for me to access my driveway / preventing my pram / wheelchair from being able to pass on the pavement. Please could you [park slightly further up the road / not on the kerb] going forwards to resolve this problem?

Thanks for your help.

Best wishes,
[Name]
[Your house number]

[Your Address]
[Neighbour’s name]
[Address / ‘Delivered by hand’]

[Date]

Dear [Neighbour’s name]/[If unknown, just address as ‘Dear Neighbour’],

Re: Shared access way

I/we live at [address], next door and I/we contacted you recently about problems using our shared access way.

You may still be unaware of this problem but [your bicycle/bin bags etc] is/are preventing me/us from accessing the [area e.g. garage] of my/our property.

There is a legal right for residents of both our properties to use the shared access way. In addition there are covenants in the title deeds of our properties which determine how the shared access way can be used.

By blocking the shared access way, you are in breach of these covenants. I would therefore be entitled to seek an injunction to prevent blockage of the access way, and financial compensation for the period during which I have been unable to use it.

I am keen to resolve this amicably; we are after all neighbours! I would therefore be grateful if you could avoid blocking the shared access way, at any time, going forwards.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Kind regards,[Your signature]
[Your name]

[Your Address]

[Neighbour’s name]
[Address / ‘Delivered by hand’]

[Date]

Dear [Neighbour’s name]/[If unknown, just address as ‘Dear Neighbour’],

Re: Noise from [neighbour’s address]

I live at [address], next door. I am writing in relation to the noise from your property.The noise specifically is: [select appropriate]

• Slamming Doors
• Loud foot traffic/stomping
• Barking dogs
• Shouting / loud voices
• Loud music

You may have previously been unaware of this noise. However it affects me because it can be clearly heard in the habitable areas of my house [and prevents me from sleeping].

The Noise Act 1996 means that the local authority must take steps to investigate any complaints of noise at night time. I am however, keen to resolve this amicably and do not want to report this to the council at this stage; we are after all neighbours! I would therefore be grateful if you could try to reduce any noise between 11pm and 7am.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Kind regards,

[Your signature]
[Your name]

Dear [name]

Just a quick note regarding dog barking. The constant barking is very frustrating and can be clearly heard inside [my/our] house.

If the dog belongs to you, please could you try to stop them barking as much? If not, [I/we] will do some further investigating to find the dog’s owner.

Thanks for your help.

Best wishes,
[Name]
[Your house number]