Have you ever had a dispute with your neighbours? It seems that the reality in the UK couldn’t be further away from what the Australian soap would have us believe. Whether it’s noisy pets and children, blocking one another’s driveways or prying nosy eyes when you’re trying to relax in the garden – neighbourly relationships can quickly dwindle. A survey has revealed that six in 10 adults are currently involved in a neighbour feud, and one in 10 adults have decided not to speak to their neighbours because “they don’t like the look of them.”
It seems that our community spirit has definitely been lost. But ongoing arguments with neighbours can be stressful and make people anxious about even going into their own garden. Take a look at how to end the war with your neighbours:
If your next door neighbour’s furry friend is your furry enemy, then there are certain measures you can take if a polite chat doesn’t seem to work. Pets are a huge responsibility, and pet owners usually don’t realise their responsibilities when it comes to fouling and keeping them quiet at night. Late night barking can be reported to your council if it’s an ongoing problem as the neighbours could be breaching environmental health laws.
Parking grievances are very common, but if you actually speak about the issues face to face as soon as they arise, it is much easier to resolve. Your neighbours might be totally unaware that they are in “your spot” or sometimes are just too busy to try and make sure they are parked right outside their own house. Talk it out and it’s likely to solve the problem – doing petty actions such as blocking their parking space to “see how they like it” will start a bitter feud which nobody will win.
Probably the most common neighbour complaint is to do with noise. From all-night parties to shouting and screaming at the top of your voice, noise isn’t just a nuisance – it can also be illegal. The Noise Act means councils must investigate complaints of loud noise between 11pm and 7am, as it can be classed as anti-social behaviour – nobody wants an ASBO!
Of course there may be special occasions where households will be celebrating, but it’s only polite to let your neighbours know in advance – even invite them along for a drink and try and get to know them to improve your relationship.
In worst case scenarios, people can be so anxious about their neighbourly feuds that they feel they have to move house. Don’t let it get to this point – try and sort it out like adults.
