Life in the most beautiful house can be marred by bad neighbors. Handling difficult neighbors that make excessive noise, leave their pets business in your yard or are just plain rude, can be difficult. Instead of listing your property and setting up a home elsewhere, try our tips below first. You may end up becoming friends and enjoying your neighborhood all the more.
Get to know each other
Great neighbors are the ones that you honestly think of as friends. If your neighbors didn’t make the effort to introduce themselves when you moved in, take that step and get to know them. If you’re holding a housewarming party for your friends and family, consider inviting your new neighbors along too. It’s a great way to start the new relationship off on the right foot and provide a basis for friendship.
Keep it nice
If your neighbor is constantly rude, or just unfriendly, resist responding in the same way. Gossiping about them to other neighbors or getting grumpy with them or their children will only make matters worse. Remain polite and friendly, it doesn’t harm and leaves the door open for a more civil relationship.
Specific issues with your neighbors such as their overgrown yard or their pets choosing your yard as their bathroom, should be taken up directly with them, face to face. Show empathy and kindness when you do. Their yard may be overgrown as they simply can’t afford for their lawnmower to be fixed. They may not be aware their pet is choosing your yard for their deposits, or that their dog barks all day long while they’re out. Be open to offering to help with the issue if you can and make any offers to assist in a spirit of neighborliness; be respectful and non-judgmental.
Common problems and solutions
A whopping 42% of homeowners have had disputes with neighbors. Showing that while we might try to get along, occasionally issues still arise. Noise and pets are the two top reasons that neighbors fall out.
If you have difficulties with a noisy neighbor, consider speaking to them about it. If their noise is consistently late at night and making it difficult for you to sleep, speak to them about the issue calmly and politely. If it continues, document the instances and consider writing them a letter about the issue. Contacting your homeowner’s association, a lawyer or calling the police should be kept as a last resort action as they’ll have lasting consequences in your neighborhood and may sour other relationships.
You should also be sensitive about the level and times you generate noise too – keep sound systems away from partition walls, advise neighbors of parties in advance and if you’re planning some DIY, let them know.
If noisy neighbors trouble you because you have to rise particularly early, or work shifts, you may want to consider blackout blinds that reduce noise from outside and a white noise machine that will mask the sounds that do reach your bedroom.
Most problems with pets stem from poorly trained animals or natural instincts such as cats digging in garden beds and barking dogs. Speak with your neighbor about the issue and try to support them in the solution. If the dog carries on barking, try screening your yard, or sonic training. If the problem isn’t a dog, but a cat that keeps entering your space, consider a visit to your garden center to ask for a repellent that won’t harm the animal.
Author Bio: Elise is a freelance writer from North Carolina that regularly covers lifestyle, health, and home-life topics for Mattress Advisor. She is especially passionate about mental health and stress reduction techniques in the home, and loves to educate others on the topic through her writing.
