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Category: WORKING FROM HOME

Understanding the Law of Dogs Barking Next Door

Wed, August 30, 2023 / CMJUK
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Understanding the Law of Dogs Barking Next Door

Living in a neighborhood often comes with the comforting sounds of daily life – children playing, cars passing, and birds chirping. However, one sound that can sometimes cause friction among neighbors is the incessant barking of dogs. While dogs are beloved companions, their barking can become a source of annoyance for those living nearby. To address this issue and maintain a harmonious neighborhood environment, the UK has specific laws and guidelines in place to regulate excessive dog barking.

The Importance of Addressing Excessive Dog Barking

Excessive dog barking can lead to strained relationships between neighbors and disrupt the peace and quiet of a community. Dogs bark for various reasons, such as to alert their owners to potential threats, to express boredom, or to seek attention. However, when barking becomes continuous and excessive, it can result in sleep disturbances and stress, and even negatively impact mental health. Recognizing the need to strike a balance between responsible pet ownership and maintaining a peaceful environment, the UK has established legal measures to address this issue.

Understanding the Law

In the UK, the laws regarding dog barking next door fall under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. While these laws do not specifically target dog barking, they can be applied in cases where a neighbor’s dog is causing a noise nuisance.

Local Authority’s Role

The responsibility of addressing noise nuisances, including excessive dog barking, usually falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities. If you’re being disturbed by a neighboring dog’s barking, the first step is to contact your local council’s environmental health department. They will investigate the matter and assess whether the noise constitutes a statutory nuisance.

What Constitutes a Statutory Nuisance?

A statutory nuisance is a persistent and unreasonable interference with the use or enjoyment of your property. When it comes to dog barking, the local council will consider factors such as the frequency, duration, and timing of the barking, as well as the impact it has on your quality of life. It’s important to keep a record of when the barking occurs, how long it lasts, and the impact it has on you.

The Council’s Actions

If the local council determines that a statutory nuisance exists, they have the authority to issue an abatement notice. This notice instructs the dog owner to take measures to reduce the barking or eliminate the nuisance. Failure to comply with the notice can result in legal action and fines. In extreme cases, the council can also seize the dog and take further legal action against the owner.

Preventing Excessive Dog Barking

Responsible dog ownership plays a crucial role in preventing excessive barking. Dog owners can take several steps to mitigate the likelihood of their dog becoming a noise nuisance:

  1. Training: Proper training can help dogs learn when barking is appropriate and when it’s not.
  2. Socialization: Well-socialized dogs are less likely to bark excessively out of fear or anxiety.
  3. Stimulation: Providing mental and physical stimulation through toys, games, and exercise can help prevent boredom-related barking.
  4. Addressing Health Issues: Sometimes, excessive barking can be a sign of underlying health problems. Regular veterinary check-ups can identify and address these issues.
  5. Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding moments of quiet behavior can encourage dogs to be quieter overall.

What should you do if your neighbor’s dog barks regularly when they are not in?

Dealing with a neighbor’s dog that barks regularly when they are not in can be a challenging situation, but there are steps you can take to address the issue and find a resolution. Here’s a recommended course of action:

  1. Assess the Situation: Before taking any action, try to understand the extent and frequency of the barking. Is it happening occasionally or is it a constant disturbance? Note the times when the barking occurs and how long it lasts. This information will be useful if you need to discuss the matter with your neighbor or involve authorities.
  2. Talk to Your Neighbor: Approach your neighbor in a calm and friendly manner to discuss the barking issue. They might not be aware that their dog is causing a disturbance when they’re not home. Avoid being confrontational and instead focus on finding a solution together. Choose a time when you’re both not rushed and can have a productive conversation.
  3. Offer Solutions: When talking to your neighbor, propose potential solutions that could help alleviate the barking. Suggest things like providing the dog with toys and distractions, using training methods to reduce barking, or exploring options for professional dog training. If the neighbor is open to resolving the issue, working together on a solution can foster better understanding.
  4. Provide Evidence: If the barking continues and your neighbor doesn’t take any action, it might be necessary to provide evidence of the problem. Record audio or video footage of the barking to demonstrate the frequency and duration of the noise. This evidence can be useful if you decide to involve local authorities or your homeowner’s association.
  5. Contact Local Authorities: If the barking persists and your neighbor is unresponsive, you can contact your local council’s environmental health department. Explain the situation, provide evidence if available, and request their intervention. They will investigate the matter and determine if the barking constitutes a statutory nuisance.
  6. Keep a Record: Throughout the process, maintain a record of the barking incidents. Note the dates, times, and duration of the barking, as well as any steps you’ve taken to address the issue. This documentation will be valuable if the matter escalates and legal action is necessary.
  7. Consider Mediation: If tensions escalate between you and your neighbor, or if you’re unable to reach a resolution, consider involving a neutral third party or a mediation service. Mediators can help facilitate a constructive conversation and find common ground.
  8. Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with local noise ordinances and regulations related to dog barking in your area. This knowledge will empower you to take appropriate steps and approach the situation within the bounds of the law.

Remember, communication is key throughout this process. Being respectful and considerate in your interactions with your neighbor can increase the likelihood of finding a mutually agreeable solution. Your goal should be to maintain a harmonious neighborhood while addressing the issue of excessive dog barking.

In Conclusion

The UK’s laws regarding dogs barking next door are designed to strike a balance between the rights of dog owners and the well-being of the community. If you’re experiencing disturbances due to excessive dog barking, it’s essential to know your rights and take the appropriate steps to address the issue through your local council’s environmental health department. Responsible pet ownership, communication between neighbors, and adherence to the law can help ensure a peaceful and harmonious neighborhood for all residents.

Whilst it makes sense to speak with our neighbors, you have to also consider the implications and consequences especially if you are renting. Talking to neighbors about noise control can cause animosity and a domino effect. An unreasonable neighbor could take revenge with false accusations and report you to the landlord. The landlord will take the side of the neighbor because you as a tenant are dispensible and he/she would want to keep the peace of the community. The renters reform bill has not taken effect yet so landlords can issue no-fault section 21 notices of eviction. https://cymrumarketing.com/renters-reform-bill-to-abolish-section-21-no-fault-eviction-notices/

If the noise of the dogs during the day is too much to bear consider earplugs or turn the volume of the music up (not too excessive) just enough to drown out the background noise of the barking.

Try an be patient and if at all like me try to not rock the boat. Granted barking dogs and loud noises while you are working are a nuisance but you need to weigh up all the pros and cons before you start complaining.

#barkingdogs #noisepollution #noisyneighbors #landlords #dominoeffect #landlordsandtenants #statutorynuisance #envionmentalprotectionact1990

Further Reading

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Pros and Cons of Outsourcing with Fiverr.com

Tue, March 29, 2022 / CMJUK / 0 Comments
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Advantages Of Outsourcing with Fiverr.com

Knowing the benefits of outsourcing with Fiverr.com will help you decide if this is something that could work for your business.

You Save Yourself Money Paying a Wage.

When you employ someone you have obligations to pay them even though you may not have much work. You essentially are siphoning your profits to keep a person in a job. You have to find work for them, whereas with outsourcing you pay for a completed assignment. You also set a time frame you want the job to be completed. An employee may take their time and should they fall ill you still have to pay them sick pay. You also have to pay an employee a wage whilst they are being trained.

Access To A Larger Talent Pool

When employing someone they may be skilled in one field and may not be able to complete the tasks set out as they may need to learn. Companies find that outsourcing gives them access to multi-talents in other parts of the world at the fraction of the price of paying a wage. A company may need to employ several people to do certain jobs which takes its toll on their profits, whereas outsourcing you pay for an assignment without any further obligations.

Lower Labor Cost

Every company has its own reason for outsourcing, with many cost-cutting, yet don’t want to compromise quality for the price, but outsourcing often allows you to get the best of both worlds. Where you may find a cheap website designer for example, sometimes you get what you pay for. For example, if a website designer offers to build a website for really cheap you have to pose the question does that include SEO and marketing? because in most cases it does not and all you will end up with is a website that floats in cyberspace.

Lack Of Control

If you give a contractor too much information like the name of your client, you can run the risk that the contractor contacting your client directly running the risk of avoiding paying the middleman/woman (you). In all cases, I suggest giving as little information as you can about your client to the person you hire, although sometimes it is unavoidable if say you hire a photographer or website designer, who would know who your client is. (This actually did happen to me once when I outsourced my work to a couple of photographers who did a job and sold photographs that technically belonged to me as I had employed them to do the work. I found out a few years later when the information was slipped out by accident and there was little I could do about it).

Communication Issues

When outsourcing especially from abroad, you may run the risk of communication problems that do not fit within your business hours due to different time zones. You need to set an amicable time for the job to be completed and establish the best form of communication so that you can access the person should you need to communicate to change the assignment and discuss the job in question. Normally freelancers on Fiverr advertise because they are actively looking for work. You can choose the skills from a wide variety of specialist services. It is worth noting the jobs the person has completed and also the reviews he/she has got. It makes sense that someone advertising on Fiverr will have a reliable internet connection.

Problems With Quality

Before hiring a freelancer do your due diligence and assess how many jobs they have done and how quickly. Also, read the reviews before making your final decision to hire them. Communicate from the start and ask them if they have any reason to believe your job could be delayed, such as exams, attending events, or ill-health. Despite all the benefits of outsourcing, it is only a good thing if you’re receiving the quality you expect. Ask to see examples of their past work upfront. Ask for their social media to see if they are genuine. Most people have social media accounts and some even advertise on their business pages. A professional will have a combination of a website, landing page, and social media business page. I would avoid people who have little or no carbon footprint.

Impact On Company Culture

If you are a business owner, that has employees, outsourcing work could look like you are stepping on your employee’s toes. You may make them feel inadequate and possibly lose trustworthiness if it looks like you cannot assign the work to your staff. They may feel you have lost faith in them and that you are slowly going to push them out. You could essentially upset employees as they may feel they are being replaced. Your employees could get confused about why you are outsourcing particular tasks.

As a business owner, you have to be upfront and honest with your employees. If you feel that the daily workflow could be improved if you outsourced the work then by all means go down this route but first give your employees the opportunity to help and if they can complete the task without you outsourcing the work all well and good but if they can’t, then you have outsourcing as an option.

For startups that do not want to be committed to paying a weekly wage, paying for completed assignments may be the best strategy, keeping costs down. Hower the only pitfall with outsourcing you may not have the option to choose the location of the freelancer. Sometimes you need to partner with someone local in order to pay them a commission to complete a task as in the case of someone that physically needs to do a job but in your vicinity.

When choosing a freelancer on Fiverr, not all jobs are a Fiverr so you need to take that into consideration. Always read the reviews before deciding to hire someone and communicate them upfront to get all the nitty-gritty out of the way.

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#outsourcing #freelancers #commissions #employees #wages #hiring #assignments

Working From Home.

Wed, August 04, 2021 / CMJUK / 0 Comments

Working From Home.

The burning question that is trending right now is the topic of working from home especially after Rishi Sunak said that “working from home is not nearly as “valuable” for young people’s career progression as going into the office” after the government changed its guidance.

I agree that young people need to be nurtured and need onsite training, they also need to be monitored for complacency. Young people left to their own devices (no pun intended) are more likely to spend more time on their phones than doing any work. Only focused people who are dedicated to their jobs will succeed, that is why it is imperative to keep an eye on young people especially school leavers. A more mature person will be more responsible.

Hence home office jobs should only be offered to people who are more than capable of setting critical time paths (CTP’s) and guarantee to get the job done by the given deadline.

A young person needs to learn the skills first and that usually needs to be onsite. They also need to have someone of authority (management) making sure they do the work properly and do not slack.

The advantages of working from home can be beneficial to both the employer and the employee. The employer will save on overheads of heating and lighting and coffee breaks. Whilst the employee will save money commuting to work.

However, there will be employers that will want to get their money’s worth and will expect their employees to work at the business location rather than home.

Employees, working from home on the other hand can boost productivity as the employee will get more done without the pressure from a normal working environment.

An employer that hires virtual assistants can save a lot of money rather than employing someone and having them on their books.

The employee will have a duty to their employer and an obligation to complete the assignments. If they are customer service telesales they have to have an area in their home designated without distractions. A virtual assistant is a subcontractor and will already be self-employed with their own office setup. A virtual assistant will already be supplying a service that would invoice for the job in question.

In an office, banter is kept to a minimum and people have less freedom to talk, whilst working from home you can do the work productively without the stress of your boss overhearing or management watching you.

Working from home is ideal for mums and disabled people. Disabled people can adapt their home around their office unlike a business adapting their office around the disabled person.

To work effectively from home, you’ll need to make sure you have the technology & equipment that you require, a separate workspace from your family and kids.

When working from home you also need good Internet service and speeds, you will also need a landline or a VoIP phone. You also need to treat your home office as a business and work the hours set out by your employer unless you work for yourself that is.

Top Hybrid Jobs for working remotely include information technology (IT) and healthcare; positions include customer service representatives, sales representatives, project managers, etc.

A lot of top companies such as Google, Microsoft do offer work remotely.

At the end of the day, it is up to the individual’s personal preference and personal circumstances if they would prefer to return to a normal office environment or work from home and the employer should give the opportunity providing deadlines are met. However, the bottom line will be whatever your employer wants rather than what you want.

FURTHER READING.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/15762396/rishi-sunak-warns-home-working-harm-career/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58068998

#HybridWork #workfromhome #workremotely

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