As the song from the hit TV soap suggests: "Everybody needs good neighbours" but what do we do when those living next door aren't that "good".

Some residents may be subjected to a dog barking constantly, some may have to put up with loud music being played at night and at the weekends, and some may have to put up with neighbours nicking their wheelie bins.

However, what are the laws when it comes to your neighbour smoking cannabis? The sickly sweet aroma of pot smoke is one once smelt, never forgotten, but what can you do, legally, if you suspect your neighbour is smoking weed?

Our sister site the Derby Telegraph takes a closer look at the law.

Can people smoke cannabis on their own property legally?

Absolutely not. Any suggestion that you can is an urban myth. A Derbyshire police spokeswoman said: "The possession of cannabis is an offence and will be dealt with by police. It is a widespread issue across the county and we are focusing our resources to target those connected with the cultivation and dealing of the drug to help crackdown on the issue. We would encourage anyone who suspects drug activity in their community to contact us."

Do you know what to do, legally, if your neighbour is smoking cannabis?

Call the police? Won't my neighbours find out I've done it?

The police say no. A spokeswoman said that Derbyshire police would "never give away a caller's identity". She said: "We wouldn't say information has come from a neighbour as that narrows it down. We'd just say we received a call about x." She added that officers on patrol might also use tip-offs to inform where they go on patrol. If they were to smell the cannabis themselves, they might knock on the door and broach the subject that way. She added that people could always call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if they wanted to remain anonymous throughout the process.

What will happen to my neighbours if I call the police about them?

The police spokesman said this could depend on a number of variables, including the amount of cannabis, and whether someone has had any previous convictions.

Here is a list of actions you can take if your neighbour is smoking cannabis

If they are renting, what about telling my neighbour's landlord?

That's also an option but you'd need to remember that the landlord isn't bound to avoid giving your identity away in the same way that police are. As long as the tenancy agreement has been drawn up properly, they'll be in breach of it.

However, you also need to bear in mind that there are constraints as to what the landlord can do. A spokesman for the National Landlords Association, said that, if landlords suspect cannabis use, they should "arrange for a visit to the property, provided they have given the tenant advance warning".

He said: "If they see or smell what they believe to be evidence of cannabis use, they should remind and warn the tenant/s that such actions are in violation of the tenancy agreement. If, when they next visit the property, they see the same evidence they may then wish to resort to serving a section 21, or even an eviction notice.

I am the landlord. What can I do to stop cannabis being used at my property?

Chris Norris, of the National Landlords Association , said: "While we recommend taking references of prospective tenants from former employers or landlords before offering a tenancy, it can also be necessary to make checks on the property after they have moved in.

"These should be carried out quarterly if there are any concerns but make sure that you give the tenant or tenants sufficient notice beforehand so as not to disrupt privacy. Lastly, get to know the neighbours and local residents, as they can help alert you should they either see or smell what they suspect to be cannabis use on the property."

How can I find out who the landlord of a property is?

A good starting point is to find out who the Land Registry have as the owner of the property. It'll cost a few quid but you can get the information here

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