When you’re tired and fed up with talking to your neighbor so he or she can settle the issues you have, then maybe it’s time for you to write a complaint letter. If it is about a neighbor, the letter should be addressed to your landlord or to the Home Owners Association (HOA).

The letter needs to be polite specially since you are dealing with people unless you move out. Make sure you clearly identify and explain plainly what the issue is. You can name witnesses if they agree, cite a date on which the latest infraction took place.
Here is an example letter:

SAMPLE LETTER

April 25, 2010

Michael Jones, President
Rosewood Home Owners Association
17 South East Rosewood Street
Chicago, IL 65432

From: Matilde Thomas
123 North East Rosewood Street
Chicago, IL 65432

Dear Mr. Jones,

I would like to express my dismay with the constant distraction that I and my family are getting from our neighbor’s dog. Mr. Kelly Finn lives at 128 North East Rosewood Street, across our home. I often see Mr. Finn’s dog running around our area. From my personal experience, I know how hard it is to keep a dog within your yard. However, it has been causing a very considerable amount of difficulty not just to me but to our fellow neighbors as well. Whenever the dog gets loose, he constantly digs up on trash cans, eat the delivered newspapers, and leave dog mess in our gardens and yards.

I have already communicated with the Finns regarding my concern last month but it seemed like they did nothing about the issue. That’s why I am writing and would like to your assistance to resolve this issue.

Although it is okay for us that pets are allowed in our own area, I would like to request for you to make it necessary for dogs be confined inside the house or yard to avoid disturbances.

Please let me know if there’s something we can help you with in dealing with this issue. I look forward to hearing from you regarding the resolution of this problem. Please contact me anytime at 872-7777.

Sincerely Yours,
Matilde Thomas