It could be the raucous barbecue evenings, an overly tall hedge, a barking dog, or the construction of a pergola: Between March and June, neighborly disputes are particularly common. This conclusion comes from an analysis of legal cases by the legal protection insurer Axa-Arag.

«The majority of cases are reported to us during the spring and summer months when people spend more time in their gardens or on their balconies and become more aware of disturbances such as noise emissions», says Alexandra Pestalozzi, legal expert at Axa-Arag.

Roosters Must Wait Longer

Disputes frequently arise over construction projects, planting, and noise. Animals also often lead to conflicts: a loudly crowing rooster, a constantly barking dog, or cowbells can all cause friction. Generally, in many cantons, night-time quiet hours are from 10 PM to 6 or 7 AM on weekdays, with some starting even earlier.

In a court decision regarding rooster keeping, the coop time was extended until 7 AM on weekdays and 8 AM on weekends in a Zurich municipality. «In disputes caused by animal noise, we recommend first seeking a conversation and, as the next step, involving the property management. If no agreement is reached, a lawyer can be brought in», says the legal expert.

Further Decline in Disputes

A dispute with a neighbor can be nerve-wracking. At least the trend in legal cases is promising, according to Axa-Arag. In 2023, reports of neighborhood disputes to the insurer decreased slightly by 0.7 percent. The outlook for this year is also positive: from January to June, about 4 percent fewer reports were received compared to the previous year.

However, when conflicts do arise, they often involve construction projects. Such disputes account for around one-fifth of all neighborhood-related cases reported to Axa-Arag. And typically, a lot is at stake in these situations.