You have the right to be free from harassment from neighbours.

Some gay men and lesbians experience homophobic harassment from their neighbours. Neighbour harassment can start with something like verbal abuse and in some cases can escalate to property damage or physical violence.

Examples of neighbour harassment include:

• Verbal abuse such as name calling
• Damage to your property such as graffiti.
• Harming your pets such as poisoning.
• Theft of your property.
• Threats and intimidation through hate mail.
• Invasion of your privacy such as going through mail, or looking through windows.

Vilification is against the law.

Some forms of harassment might be called vilification. To vilify you because you are gay or lesbian might mean using words or doing things in public to stir up hate or serious contempt or serious ridicule. In some cases, vilification is against the law.

Find out more.

Our Factsheet on harassment from neighbours includes:

• Examples of neighbour harassment
• Vilification and the law
• Tips on dealing with harassment from neighbours
• What to do if your neighbours are renting
• What to do if you and your neighbour are Department of Housing Tenants
• The Department of Housing Complaints Process