Once contacted, the Neighbourhood Conflict Mediator proposes an interview, initially on a one-to-one basis, and then possibly a joint interview. The key, Glod stressed, is to remain neutral.
Glod listed some of the main causes of conflicts between neighbours at the moment. Numerous are "practically classics", she acknowledged, including noise pollution (music that is too loud, but also appliances such as air-conditioners that make too much noise) and planting problems (plants that are poorly maintained or that encroach on a neighbour's garden).
According to the mediator, the pandemic and lockdown have led to a 45% increase in neighbourhood conflicts. Glod stated that she has to deal with nearly 140 cases, adding that she thinks that the health crisis has made people more thin-skinned.
