Be A Good Neighbour

How To Be A Good, Respectful Neighbour

Getting along with your neighbours is an important part of settling into a new home so we've devised these top tips to help you to be a good, friendly neighbour. 

Noise 

Noise is one of the most re-occurring issues when it comes to neighbours, particularly if you live in a semi-detached or terraced property. When it comes to social gathering's, parties or just simply playing music; than you need to consider how this will affect your neighbours. Being noisy is much easier than you'd think - even playing the TV loudly can trigger arguments between one house and the other so it's important to acknowledge all potential noise-related concerns.

Litter

Don't be a litter bug! Not taking care of your own litter can affect neighbours much more than you'd think. If you leave rubbish on your own driveway or garden, than wind could easily blow it into your neighbours which is unfair on them and could definitely be the cause of serious disputes. 

Make sure your own driveway and garden are free of rubbish to ensure you can keep your neighbours' clear too.

Maintenance 

Maintaining walls or fences that you and your neighbour share to divide either your back garden or driveway, is important for both parties to do. If walls or fences are damaged accidentally or by natural causes like the weather, than you should discuss with your neighbour how to fix it and try and come to a mutual agreement. 

Make Effort On Social Occasions

If you make effort on social and celebratory occasions than this will help you build a relationship with your neighbour. For instance, on Christmas you could send a Christmas card or if you hear that they've become engaged or are having a child, than you could send your congratulations.

Pets

Typically speaking, it would be unusual for a neighbour to tell you 'you can't' have a certain pet, however, you should consider your neighbours feelings when you do get a new pet, particularly if it could cause disruption for them. For instance, you may live next-door to an elderly woman but own a newly born barking dog, therefore you should consider prior to this whether this is being respectful to her or not. 

Offering To Look Over Their House If They Go On Holiday 

Suggesting to your neighbour that you could take their post, newspapers or milk indoors when they're away, is likely to be appreciated by many neighbours. It shows that you care about their well-being and are trying to discourage any theft that could potentially happen whilst they're away.

On the other hand, it's important to have some sort of relationship before this because otherwise they may be a bit reluctant to trust an unfamiliar neighbour. 

Looking Out For An Elderly Neighbour

Watching over an elderly neighbour is not only a kind thing to do, but also could be quite consequential if you didn't. If you don't see one of your elderly neighbours for a while, it might be a good idea to notify family or friends just to be on the safe side.