Avoiding neighbour disputes
This content applies to England only.
Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland
There are some really simple things you can do to show your neighbours that you want to get on with them. If you follow these tips, your neighbours may be less likely to complain about you. If a problem ever does arise, your neighbours are more likely to talk to you about it if you have established a good relationship with them in the first place.
Introduce yourself
If you have just moved into a new neighbourhood, make a point of introducing yourself to your new neighbours. Be friendly and say 'hello' when you see them. This will show them that you are open and approachable. That way, if they have a problem with something you are doing, they are far more likely to tell you what's bothering them rather than reporting it to the council or the police. Problems or misunderstanding are more likely to be resolved at an early stage if you get on well with your neighbours.
Join Neighbourhood Watch
You could also find out about the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme, if there is one, and join it. If you don't have time to take an active role in the scheme, you could ask one of the neighbours who is involved to update you when there are meetings. The key is to show an interest as that shows you care about what is happening in your area. It will also help you to get to know your neighbours and gain their trust.
Keep an eye on your children
It might sound obvious, but keep an eye on any children who live with you. Make sure you know where they are and what they're doing. It might be that they are disturbing your neighbours by hanging about or leaving a mess, even if they're not aware that they're doing any harm.
Remember that not everyone has children and some people might find it intimidating if a group of kids are hanging about, even if the kids don't mean any harm. The important thing to remember is that just because a certain type of behaviour doesn't bother you, this doesn't mean that it isn't a problem for someone else. If there are any problems, your neighbours will see that you take it seriously, if you know exactly what your children are up to.
Clean up after your pets
This might sound obvious too, but make sure you look after your pets properly and clear up any mess they leave behind in the park, the street or any other public place. If you have a dog and don't clean up after it, you could be fined.
If you keep lots of animals, make sure you have enough space for them and that any noise levels are kept to a minimum. If you have a large dog that needs regular exercise, make sure you don't allow them to become frustrated and noisy. This is best for your pets, as well as your neighbours.
Remember that not everyone keeps pets or likes animals. Some people might be really scared of some animals because of a bad experience they've had so it's important to think about other people's point of view. Once again, be considerate.
Look after the outside of your home
Make sure that you keep the outside of your property tidy. Environmental issues are a common cause of arguments between neighbours.
Don't leave bin bags in communal areas if you live in a flat or in your garden or the street if you live in a house. Dirty bin bags might start to smell or attract vermin, or someone could trip over them, which is dangerous.
If your council provide bins and there isn't enough room for your rubbish, contact them to see if they can arrange for another bin to be provided.
If you have large items of rubbish or old furniture, take it to the dump or contact your local council to ask them to take it away. There might be a charge for this service but it's better than leaving rubbish lying about.
Likewise, if you have bikes or prams and you live in a flat, don't leave them in a place that will block the access for your neighbours or create a fire hazard.
If you live in a house or have a communal parking area, make sure you aren't blocking anyone else's driveway or access when you park your car.
Do what you can to reduce noise
You are perfectly entitled to relax and enjoy yourself in your own home. However, remember that other people might be working or trying to sleep and just because you want to party, doesn't mean that your neighbours do. Noise nuisance can be very distressing, especially if it's persistent.
If you are planning a party or celebration, tell your neighbours about it in advance, especially if it's likely to go on late at night. If you get on well with them, maybe invite them to join you.
Try to keep the noise to a minimum and be sure that it stops at a reasonable time. If your neighbours do ask you to turn the noise down, be polite and reasonable about it. Don't start shouting or become aggressive as that will only make things worse.
