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This provides a place where all residents not only have equal access to information relating to their home, but also a means to express their opinion, and for this to be noted by the community at The Danes, and if appropriate, the Management Company 'SPM Playfields' who make a positive contribution to the quality of life of residents through the upkeep and improvement of gardens, and all the community areas around the estate.
JULY 2025 UPDATE
The Danes Management will be increasing the use of CCTV across the estate with the aim of acting as a deterant to anti-social behaviour, and as a way to evidence support for residents who report problems.
This area provides advice and links towards resources that are intended to help manage areas of conflict that can arise between neighbours. Most disputes, while minor, can cause significant concern.
Anti-Social and Aggressive Neighbours
If your neighbour makes you feel persistently uncomfortable or is threatening, do not approach them. Contact the police on 101, or Basingstoke local authority's community safety officer on 01256 845245. You may also email: community.safety@basingstoke.gov.uk. The more details about the issue you provide, the better.
Please review the page on Anti-Social Behaviour for more information.
Recognising Different Points of View
We all have different needs and interests, and on occasion in a community these collide. What seems reasonable to me, might not seem so to you.
I might enjoy loud music. I may invite friends over who like a drink, a smoke, and a chat late into the night. I might value the company of a pet who takes me away from life's troubles. At times I might not appreciate how difficult I am making the life of someone living close by.
At times, through no fault of my own, something happens that has a negative impact on my neighbour. I may be unaware that a leak has sprung in my home and is causing hardship and expense next door.
Problems between neighbours often arise when I am either unaware of a problem, or when things I do conflict with those things my neighbour needs. My neighbour might need an early night's rest, and despite their being reasonable, are tired of my music, my friends, and my pet, all of whom spoil the quality of their sleep, night after night.
When we live in close proximity there are times when we become irritable, we disagree, argue, or worse. Living well together can be a challenge. What follows are ways to reduce tension, and to hopefully resolve differences.
Reach Out Before Formally Complaining
Whenever possible, it is always better to resolve disputes amicably and informally. This is especially difficult when feelings are running high.
Reach out and express your appreciation of their point of view as you try to come to a mutual understanding. Above all, try not to inflame an already tense situation.
When someone feels threatened with formal action, for example by saying "if you don't stop this I'm going to contact the council/police/authorities", they will often become defensive, and the chance of resolving the matter easily and quickly reduces.
Write a Short Polite Message or Talk
If you feel comfortable having a conversation, the first way to resolve a problem that seems to be caused by your neighbour is to talk. Prepare what you want to say before the exchange, and above all, try to be respectful, and listen to what they have to say in response. Keep calm if they get irritable or argumentative. Try to show you appreciate their point of view. That's often far easier said than done, so practice in your head before you start, and listen to yourself in the exchange so you can control your own feelings. More often than not, a respectful conversation goes a long way to mend fences.
If you are uncomfortable about talking face to face, posting a short respectfully written note through a neighbour's door might at times be all that is necessary to resolve a problem. It's important to explain what the issue is in a way that is clear, but try not to be overly critical.
Here's an example of a message about persistent loud music that could be posted through a neighbour's door anonymously:
Hi Neighbour, I appreciate we all like to loose ourselves with music now and again, however playing loud music so often is affecting my sleep. Would you use headphones during the early hours.
Thanks for reading, and for keeping the volume down at night.
Noise, Rubbish, Pollution, and Pests
If you have tried to communicate with your neighbour without a satisfactory outcome, you have the option of contacting the council to inform them of the problem. Whether your concern is with high noise levels, rubbish dumped inappropriately, pollution in the form of hazardous materials left in a community area, or a potential or actual increase in pests because of the careless disposal of waste, an environmental health officer will contact your neighbour to resolve the issue.
Record Keeping
If the problem persists with your neighbour, it is important that you keep copies of your communication with all parties - this includes emails, any evidence in the way of images, audio files etc. Keep these in a place you can easily retrieve. The longer disputes drag on, the more important it is to know what was said, to whom, and when. It is easy for everyone to misremember.
Pets
Changes in attitudes to how important pets are to a person's wellbeing, and soon, in the way the law views these matters, make this a complex issue to navigate.
The Danes leasing agreement clearly states that pets of any kind are not permitted, however the Renter's Rights Bill that is currently proceeding through parliament, and that is due to come into law in the near future, will nullify this clause.
I have been aware of the provision of no pets in The Danes leasehold since my sister originally moved to live at The Danes in 2011. She had a pet dog she wanted to bring with her. I informed her that it was against the terms of the lease. We considered other properties, but The Danes held a great many advantages. After much soul searching we found a different home for her pet with a family member. Despite the positive move to her new home, she was powerfully bonded with her pet, and her emotional loss of not having what she felt was a member of her family had a significant and negative emotional impact for a considerable period. I came to realise that this was one of many factors that led to her more significant difficulties with life as time went on.
I mention this as my direct experience colours my thoughts about pet ownership. There has been a significant increase in pet ownership since Covid (now over 50% nationwide).
My personal opinion is that it is reasonable for landlords to request all residents register their pet and that they should be required to insure their pet against damage and third party claims. Pet owners for their part need to be considerate, and manage the care of their pet well.
I am less persuaded that a blanket no-pet ban is appropriate, and I believe issuing a breach notification and request a pet is removed, or that the tenant/owner moves home may be unnecessary and counter-productive. I do however appreciate the interests of the freeholder and leaseholders to maintain their properties appropriately, and that issues around pets places the management company in a difficult position.
At all times complaints about pets that lead to action should be evidence based, persistent, and not only anecdotal (based on personal accounts).
Perhaps residents with pets should agree to certain conditions that help ensure there is no disturbance or inconvenience to other residents. Pets should be cared for appropriately, mess and accidents cleaned up, and that their rights to keep a pet may be withdrawn if persistent complaints are made and evidenced about a pets behaviour or the animal’s welfare.
Spurious Pet Agreements: Landlords
Some residents have been informed they may keep their pets under a special arrangement, agreement, and with the charge of additional fees for insurance and administration. This is not the case. Landlords cannot overturn the leaseholder agreement which states there are no exceptions. Note again however that once the Renter's Rights Bill comes into force, this issue will be resolved with new terms provided by Management.
The Danes Management
Most modern leases have a clause for pet consent, whereas older leases like that of The Danes do not.
The Danes Management is currently in conversation with the freeholder and legal team in an effort to adopt a policy that takes account of the Renter's Rights Bill within the framework of the The Danes lease, and without detriment to other elements of the lease.
Your Opinion Counts
Read the section on Pets in the Renter's Rights Bill to keep yourself informed. You are also welcome to use the form below to express your own opinions that could be added to this page.
Mike
Editor
www.TheDanes.UK
The majority of residents at The Danes rent their home from a landlord, letting agency, or the council.
The Renter's Rights Bill is currently working its way through parliament, is at the report stage, and is likely to become law within the next six months or so. The purpose of this bill is to improve the quality of life of those who rent.
You may view detailed progress of the bill on the government's Parliamentary Website. The Renter's Rights Bill publications that present the bill's wording, amendments, and path through parliament are available at:
Use the contact form below to provide further feedback, or to comment on the items on this webpage. Although this form can be completed without including your personal name and email (simply enter 'resident' in the name field), more weight will be given to information that can be verified as from a particular resident. You may also email info@thedanes.uk.
Personal information is never published on this website, and is only passed on to management after consent has been sought and given. For details about how data is gathered and used, please read the Privacy Statement.
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