Are you bothered by your neighbors or housemates?
Experience shows that it helps if you first talk to the (alleged) nuisance perpetrator yourself. It may be that he or she is not aware of the nuisance at all, or that the nuisance comes from somewhere else.
We therefore recommend that you take the following steps in case of nuisance:
Step 1: Talk to your neighbors or housemates
Talking often helps. Here are a few tips:
- Don't wait too long before starting a conversation, but do wait for a quiet moment, when there is no inconvenience. Speak to the perpetrator immediately (or the next day) about the nuisance. Keep in mind that your neighbors may not realize that they are causing a nuisance.
- Think carefully in advance what you want to say: what exactly bothers you? And when and why?
- Work together with your neighbors/housemates, make agreements together and find a solution together. We notice that it often works best if you talk to each other, without DUWO's intervention. You can then immediately make agreements with each other to prevent the nuisance.
- Also listen to what your neighbors/housemates say about the nuisance, this will help you create understanding
The majority of nuisance complaints can be resolved in this way while maintaining mutual relationships.
Step 2: Call in the student caretaker, nestor or Resident Assistant
Are you unable to find a solution together with your neighbors and is there a student caretaker, nestor or Resident Assistant active in your complex? Ask if he / she can help you, for example by mediating between you and your neighbors.
Step 3: Get help from DUWO
You can contact DUWO if you can't work it out together. You cannot report the nuisance anonymously. We will, of course, ensure that your name is not passed on without your permission. After receiving the report, the social caretaker will talk to you about the nuisance. The social caretaker also contacts the person causing the nuisance.
We may advise you to keep a log of the inconvenience. Write down the date, time and nuisance facts briefly and concisely. These short notes can later be used as proof.
Serious nuisance report that cannot wait?
If the nuisance occurs in the evening, night, weekend, outside office hours or are so serious that you can no longer wait, call the police. You can reach the police on telephone number:
Then also inform DUWO via a contact form of the nuisance and the involvement of the police. The social caretaker will then contact you.
Step 4: Legal proceedings
In worst cases scenario, DUWO can start legal proceedings. This must involve long-term and serious nuisance and there must be sufficient evidence. We can then ask the court to terminate the lease.
Legal proceedings take a long time and you are not always right in court. In most cases it’s not possible to stay anonymous.