French neighbours turned nasty since daughter's party
'Dispute is ruining our life in France', reader says
Your notaire can assist with drafting a polite letter asking for a formal meeting to discuss the issue
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Dear Cynth,
We are going through a hideous time due to some neighbours. When we were away, our daughter held a small party in our home, but she swears blind that they were respectful of the neighbours and the time of night.
When we returned, we started getting notes through our letterbox and direct messages on Facebook. The neighbours were complaining about the noise.
We tried to get in touch with them and went round with a bottle of wine to apologise for any disturbance. They slammed the door in our faces and refused to speak to us.
A few weeks ago, we were painting the outside of our house with a colour permitted by the mairie. Two gendarmes appeared and informed us that it was forbidden to paint our house in that colour and we had to paint over it. Apparently “somebody” had made a complaint.
We of course strongly suspect that this is retribution from the neighbours. Can you please tell us how we can sort this nightmare out? It’s ruining our time in France.
This is such a nasty situation. Of course, you cannot prove they reported you, but I also smell a rat.
You have tried rational communication but have not been met with even basic courtesy. I assume you informed the gendarmes that you had selected a permitted colour, so I am unsure why you acquiesced and repainted the house.
The best course of action would have been to show the gendarmes proof of your understanding of the permitted colour.
If this behaviour continues, I suggest you go to a local notaire and ask them to draft a polite letter to the neighbours requesting a meeting with them with an independent party present.
Please do not allow yourself to be bullied. I would also go to the gendarmerie and mairie with the written proof that you used the permitted colour.
Bullies need to be stood up to or your life will become a misery. Such pettiness must be called out.
A polite note may nip it in the bud. The neighbours will not want to engage in costly legal action but a simple letter may show them that you are not going to be a pushover. Good luck.
