One in three Britons has been embroiled in a dispute with their neighbour, new findings suggest. 

Neighbours are battling over everything from barking dogs, fence panels, rowdy children, trampolines and garden bars to extensions, wheelie bins and weeds. 

According to new research from Rightmove, more than a third of Britons have experienced a next-door drama, with 36 per cent admitting to having had an argument with their neighbour. 

People's number one gripe with their neighbours was found to be noise, with 78 per cent of people surveyed telling Rightmove it was their biggest bugbear. 

Seventy-one per cent surveyed said parking-spot poaching neighbours were a major issue, while 70 per cent flagged curtain twitchers as a significant problem.   

Asking a neighbour for their wifi password was deemed to be 'red flag' behaviour, as was letting bins overflow. 

South east is neighbour row hotspot 

Delving into demographics, Rightmove said young adults aged between 18 to 34 were found to be particularly sensitive to noisy or nosey neighbours. 

However, people aged 55 or over were found to be the most likely to have next-door disagreements.

Households in the south east of England were reported to be the most hot-headed when it came to disputes with neighbours. 

And many Britons are going to great lengths to try and make sure they avoid the situation, by carrying out surveillance on the house next door before moving in. 

For 60 per cent of people surveyed by Rightmove, avoiding nightmare neighbours when moving to a new property is a top priority. 

Prospective buyers are going to great lengths to dodge nuisance neighbours, including driving by the property at different times of the day to check for issues and checking local community groups online for any evidence of disputes.  

Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, said: 'Neighbourly disputes are an inevitable part of community life, but our research highlights just how significantly these everyday annoyances can influence people's decisions when moving home.

'It's fascinating to see the lengths Britons will go to avoid these issues.'

How to avoid spats with nightmare neighbours

Before buying a property, do as much research as you can about who lives nearby and what the area is like.  

Mary-Lou Press, president of NAEA Propertymark, said: 'When buying a property, it can be essential to spend time researching and learning more about the immediate area that surrounds it.

'In addition to a comprehensive and physical look around the local vicinity during the day, the weekend, and the evening, and it can be helpful to strike up conversations with people, such as surrounding neighbours, if the opportunity arises. 

'Online snippets of information might also help you make a better decision too, such as checking the rate of crime in a particular neighbourhood, the performance of schools and health-related services, or even running a car insurance quote to help with your financial planning.'

She added: 'Should you then feel that the property ticks all boxes for you to move into, joining a neighbourhood watch scheme also tends to provide extra safety once you settle into your new home. 

'If you do unfortunately happen to encounter any issues, then you should contact the relevant authorities as soon as any incidents occur, as this can help all parties involved more efficiently resolve any disputes.'

If you do find yourself in a quarrel with neighbours, do not let the matter escalate.

Some arguments with neighbours can turn into legal matters, which can be costly, stressful and time-consuming. 

Olivia Egdell-Page, a partner at law firm Joseph A Jones & Co LLP, told the Daily Mail: 'We do see that a common issue with neighbour disputes or even discontent and poor relations, is a lack of communication. 

'One neighbour will be unhappy with how the other is conducting themselves, or may be frustrated by their neighbours' action or inaction regarding the maintenance and upkeep of their property. 

'A discussion at an early stage can go some way to nip an issue in the bud, and to tackle a disgruntlement before it escalates to a dispute or indeed a claim or court proceedings.

'In the event that you are the disgruntled neighbour in this scenario, it is also advisable to be forearmed with legal advice, or at least confident in your understanding of the legal position - whether this be by reference to the title documents or indeed the local council's position regarding noise and nuisance as is relevant to the issue at hand. 

'Doing your research at the outset is invaluable, and will allow you to feel prepared before discussing matters with your neighbours, and hopefully dealing with the issues before they escalate.'

Taking legal action is an expensive last resort, however. 

James Naylor, a partner at Naylor Solicitors, said: 'Legal disputes between neighbours, commonly involving boundaries, fences, or noise, are best avoided.

'Litigation in such matters is rarely satisfactory: it is costly, time-consuming, and often intensifies existing tensions. 

'Emotional involvement can make resolution difficult, and legal costs frequently exceed the value of the land or issue in dispute. As a judge has observed, "there are too many calamitous neighbour disputes in the courts."'

To avoid things escalating, Naylor advises: 'Initiate early, honest, and respectful dialogue. Proactive communication is the most effective way to prevent misunderstandings, as many disputes arise from miscommunication or lack of information.

'For technical matters, such as boundary locations, jointly instruct a qualified surveyor or expert. This helps clarify facts and can prevent escalation.

'Carefully consider the value and significance of the issue before escalating. Litigation can quickly become disproportionate to the value at stake.

'If necessary, engage in alternative dispute resolution, particularly mediation. Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where a neutral mediator helps disputing parties negotiate and reach their own agreement. It is often chosen over litigation for its flexibility, lower cost, and emphasis on preserving relationships.

'Where relevant, approach negotiations constructively, focusing on interests rather than positions to facilitate agreement and preserve neighbourly relations.

'By adopting this approach, parties can address issues proportionately and constructively, reducing the likelihood of protracted disputes, and accomplishing a win-win of long-term, amicable neighbourly relations.'