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Edinburgh Community Mediation deals with over 400 referrals* of neighbour disputes each year and over 50% of these disputes are concerned with noise issues. For this reason, the organisation is supporting Noise Action Week, a council led initiative to encourage people to take a more responsible attitude to their domestic noise.
The Mediation Service is calling for people to take time during the week of May 19-24 to consider the impact of their domestic noise on neighbours. The service is encouraging those experiencing neighbour problem to contact them. The service is free and non-judgemental.
Christine Schoeck at Edinburgh Community Mediation says, “Unfortunately, some people find it difficult to talk to their neighbours when problems first start and the situation can blow up out of all proportion. Most people are not really anti-social; they just don’t realise the effect their noise or actions are having on others. Mediation is an ideal way for everyone to be able to sit down and talk to each other about what has been going on and then find a practical solution to the problem for the future”.
Community Mediation provides a safe and structured environment for disputing neighbours to engage in dialogue in order to reach a suitable solution to their problems, assisted by trained mediators. This successful service helps neighbours to resolve their differences and live peacefully side by side.
(*One referral could involve a whole street.)
Helpful tips to prevent problems with neighbours:
- Tackle the issue at an early stage and plan what you want to say first, assertively, not aggressively. People are often unaware of the problem they are causing.
- Pick a good time to speak to your neighbour – not when you or they have just got in from work or the pub!
- Try to listen to the other person’s point of view – you may not agree with it but you might find out something that could change how you feel about things and so that can make the problem easier to deal with.
- Think very hard before laying laminate floors if you live above someone. The noise of walking on it can be unbearable for your neighbours. This can be the beginning of a serious dispute.
- Try to keep noisy appliances like washing machines and tumble dryers away from adjoining walls – also, by just placing a rubber mat underneath them you can cut the noise drastically and use them at times that will not disturb other’s sleep.
For further information please contact:
Edinburgh Community Mediation Service on 0131 557 2101
Edinburgh Community Mediation is an independent service managed by Sacro in partnership with Edinburgh Council.
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