Authorities must actively address complaints about nearby construction

Brno - Building authorities must actively address complaints when a builder does not take sufficient account of their neighbors, according to the deputy ombudsman. Stanislav Křeček, the public defender of rights, stated in response to a complaint from Plzeň that the authorities are not always proactive in solving complaints related to so-called considerate neighboring. Everyone whose neighborhood is under construction has the right to it. According to Křeček, such complaints must be addressed by the authorities through on-site verification and proposing an amicable solution.
    "It is not enough for the builder to have a building permit, comply with quiet hours, and various regulations. The building act also includes a section on considerate neighboring, and authorities must insist that it is followed," said Iva Hrazdílková, spokesperson for the ombudsman, today to ČTK.
    If someone complains that construction is taking place in their neighborhood in an inconsiderate manner, the authority must verify it. It is in no way sufficient to just check that the construction has a permit.
    A woman from Plzeň faced a similar problem when she recently turned to the ombudsman's office. A traffic construction project is being developed in the vicinity of her family house. Ombudsman office staff discovered that excavators and trucks were manipulating soil, and this activity truly represents a "disturbing element" due to significant noise and dust.
    However, neither the classic building authority nor the special building authority for traffic constructions, which had been dealing with the matter up to now, adequately resolved the issue. Therefore, the ombudsman's office forwarded it to the Plzeň regional office to ensure prompt correction.
    The builder is obliged to be considerate of the neighborhood not only during the actual construction but also during its project preparation, Křeček emphasized in the case file.