Harassment by neighbors can take many forms, including yelling obscenities; loud and disruptive noises (especially at night) from parties, fights, or other activities; threatening or abusive behavior; or damage to your home or yard by pets.

If your neighbor’s behavior is merely annoying and not abusive, threatening, or criminal conduct, you may be able to resolve the issue with a courteous discussion. But if your neighbor’s conduct is threatening, abusive, violates a noise ordinance, or is a criminal offense such as stalking, trespassing, or peeping, for example, you may be able to get assistance from the police (call 911 in an emergency) or from the civil courts in the form of a restraining order.

In Massachusetts, harassment by neighbors is addressed under various laws depending on the severity and nature of the conduct. For behaviors that are annoying but not criminal, such as minor noise complaints, residents are encouraged to engage in a polite conversation with their neighbors to resolve the issue. However, when the behavior escalates to threatening, abusive, or criminal conduct, such as stalking, trespassing, or excessive noise that violates local ordinances, legal remedies are available. Victims can contact the police for immediate assistance, especially in emergencies by dialing 911. For ongoing issues, Massachusetts law allows individuals to seek civil relief through a harassment prevention order under M.G.L. c. 258E, which can be obtained from the civil courts. This order can prohibit a neighbor from continuing the harassing behavior and provide legal recourse if the behavior persists.