Disputes
Get information about issues you may be having with a neighbour such as:
- noise
- fences
- trees
- animals or pets.
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
This approach can help preserve business or personal relationships between the people involved in the dispute. The processes can also be quicker, cheaper, more flexible, less stressful and more confidential than having a decision made by a judge or magistrate in court.
Lodge a residential tenancy complaint with NSW Fair Trading
NSW Fair Trading provides a free complaint service for tenants, residents, landlords and agents with real estate and property related matters or disputes.
Lodge a retirement village complaint with NSW Fair Trading
NSW Fair Trading offers free and informal onsite negotiation with a neutral and qualified mediator to help parties reach a beneficial settlement.
Find information on how to resolve disputes among owners, tenants and owner's corporations in strata-titled property or community schemes.
Safety and support
Report an incident to Crime Stoppers
You can report information about crime and criminal activity.
1800RESPECT counselling service
A 24-hour telephone and online counselling and support service for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, and abuse.
Backyards
Check the 10/50 vegetation clearing entitlement area
The 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Scheme provides an additional way for NSW residents who live near bushland, to better prepare their homes for potential bushfires. The NSW Rural Fire Service provides an online tool so you can check whether you live in a 10/50 vegetation clearing entitlement area.
Fences, boundaries and retaining walls
Understand your rights and obligations with dividing boundary fences between neighbours.
All swimming pools in NSW must be registered on the NSW Swimming Pool Register.
Trees and hedges
For tree and hedge disputes between you and your neighbours visit:
- Legal Aid NSW: Resolving tree and hedge disputes
- Land and Environment Court of NSW: Tree and hedge disputes.
Contact your local council to check the rules for tree pruning, preservation and Removing trees on your property.
Neighbourhood watch
The Neighbourhood Watch program is one of a range of crime prevention and community safety strategies currently in use within NSW.
Unattended property in public spaces
Public spaces such as footpaths, streets and parks should be safe and accessible for everyone. Find out about property left in public spaces.
Report graffiti on community facilities or public assets
Help clean up your local community by reporting graffiti and fast track its removal. You can report it directly to the organisation or business responsible for damaged property including:
- electricity boxes
- overhead cables
- maintenance hole covers for access to underground utilities
- payphones
- public transport assets.
Report identity theft, scams or cybercrime
If you've been scammed, think someone is trying to scam you, or have been the victim of a cybercrime, you can make a report online.
Stealing fish and black marketing, as well as damage to fish habitats are serious problems and can impact on the sustainability of our fish stocks across NSW.
NSW Police Force Community Portal
If an issue is not an emergency and immediate investigation by a Police officer is not necessary you can create a Police report online, track your report and receive electronic status updates.
Pets
Dogs and cats that experience boredom, separation anxiety or fear can become a nuisance. If your neighbour's dog or cat is bothering you start by talking with your neighbour. They may be unaware of the problem.
The NSW Pet Registry allows you to update your contact details, report your pet missing, change the ownership of pets, and pay the lifetime registration fee.
An owner's corporation cannot stop you from owning a pet in a strata-titled property, but there may be rules you need to know about, and what to do if there's a problem.
Pollution
Noise pollution may be caused by industrial facilities, transport, construction, sporting and entertainment venues, and neighbours. If you want to report or inquire about noise pollution, find the organisation responsible for its regulation.
Report a pest or disease, or other biosecurity concern
You can help to protect NSW from biosecurity concerns by reporting unusual pests and diseases to the Department of Primary Industries.
Report smoking or e-cigarette use in a smoke-free place
If you think a smoking ban has been broken in an indoor or outdoor smoke-free zone you can make a complaint.
Roads
If you see a damaged, confusing or missing road sign, you can report it online.
Report a pothole or damaged road
Use this form to report road damage in your area to Transport for NSW.
Report a traffic breakdown or other incident
Reporting traffic incidents help you and your fellow road users get moving again, sooner.
Speed limits and speed signs in NSW
The Centre for Road Safety uses feedback submitted by the public, along with crash data and other road safety engineering information, to prioritise the roads that need a speed zone review.
Vehicles
Report an abandoned or dumped vehicle
It's an offence to abandon a vehicle. The local council has powers to impound or destroy the vehicle if the registered operator cannot be found or doesn't comply with the instructions of the impounding officer.
Report littering from a vehicle
If you see someone littering from their vehicle, you can report them to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
By reporting noisy exhaust from motor vehicles you can:
- help the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) minimise people’s exposure to motor vehicle pollution and
- ensure vehicle owners understand the noise regulations and know what to do to repair their vehicle.
You must observe a vehicle emitting smoke for more than 10 seconds continuously to make a report.