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Housing · Austria
Updated September 2026

🤝 A dispute with my neighbour is getting out of hand — who can help?

Direct answer

Most neighbour conflicts — hedges, parking, smells, children, a dog — never need a lawyer; they need a third person in the room. Nachbarschaftsmediation / Schlichtungsstelle der Gemeinde (oebm.at) offers free or cheap neighbourhood mediation in Austria and settles most cases in one or two sessions. If the problem is a rule being broken (building, noise, waste, boundaries), Gemeindeamt / Magistrat — Bürgerservice (oesterreich.gv.at) enforces it. If it has become threats, damage or harassment, Polizei — Polizeiinspektion / 133 (133) — report it, with a log.

Call firstNachbarschaftsmediation / Schlichtungsstelle der Gemeinde
Report toGemeindeamt / Magistrat — Bürgerservice
If that failsPolizei — Polizeiinspektion / 133

🗣️ What to say

"Since [date] we have a conflict with our neighbours at [address] about [issue]. Talking directly has not worked. We would like to try mediation and ask you to contact them and propose a meeting."

🪜 Step by step

  1. One calm conversationIn person, daytime, about one concrete thing. Many neighbours do not know they are a problem.
  2. Keep a logDates, times, what happened, witnesses, photos. Facts calm everyone down, including you.
  3. Mediation: Nachbarschaftsmediation / Schlichtungsstelle der GemeindeNeutral, confidential, free or cheap. The agreement is written down and usually holds.
  4. Rules broken: Gemeindeamt / Magistrat — BürgerserviceThe municipality handles boundary, building, waste and nuisance rules; it can inspect and order.
  5. Threats or damage: Polizei — Polizeiinspektion / 133Report with the log. Harassment is a crime; an official report often stops it on its own.

📇 All contacts

Nachbarschaftsmediation / Schlichtungsstelle der GemeindeMediation in neighbour and housing disputesFor neighbour disputes🔗 www.oebm.at
Gemeindeamt / Magistrat — BürgerserviceMunicipal office: registration, order, noise, waste, lost propertyFor anything the municipality regulates🔗 www.oesterreich.gv.at
Polizei — Polizeiinspektion / 133Report at any police stationBurglary, theft, threats, stalking📞 133🔗 www.polizei.gv.at
Bezirksgericht — Amtstag / VerfahrenshilfeFree legal information on court open days, legal aidWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.justiz.gv.at/service/verfahrenshilfe

❓ Frequently asked

Is mediation binding?

The signed agreement is a contract. If it is broken, you have a much stronger case at the municipality or in court.

My neighbour refuses mediation

The mediator will invite them twice. A refusal noted in writing helps you later; some countries require a mediation attempt before court.

Can I go to court instead?

Yes, but it is slow and poisons the relationship. Courts in many countries send neighbour cases to mediation first anyway.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “neighbour dispute mediation Austria”
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🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🔊Noisy neighbours→🏢Service charges→🔑Deposit not returned→🔧Landlord won't repair→

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