Being a good neighbour does not mean you have to become best friends over the fence. It simply means being aware that the way you live can affect the people around you.
In most cases, people are reasonable. They understand that homes are lived in, visitors come over, children play, pets make noise from time to time, and life is not silent.
The key is consideration.
Most neighbour issues start with small things
• A car parked across a driveway
• Music that goes on a bit too late
• Bins left out too long
• Visitors parking where they should not
• A dog barking while everyone is out.
None of these may seem like a big deal at the time, but they can quickly become frustrating for the people nearby.
A good rule of thumb is to think about what would annoy you if someone else did it.
Parking is a big one. Please use the parking areas that belong to your property and ask visitors to do the same. Parking on lawns, verges, shared driveways, neighbouring spaces, or in areas not allocated to your home can cause damage, block access, and lead to complaints.
Noise is another common issue. Everyday living noise is normal, and no one expects you to tiptoe around your own home. However, late-night music, loud gatherings, yelling, vehicles coming and going, or pets making ongoing noise can affect others. If you are having people over, a quick headsup to neighbours can go a long way. Better still, keep the noise reasonable and bring it inside later in the evening.
Pets also need to be managed with neighbours in mind. If you have an approved pet, make sure it is not wandering, barking for long periods, damaging shared areas, or creating mess that affects others.
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 also supports this commonsense approach. Tenants must not interfere with the reasonable peace, comfort or privacy of other tenants, or people living in the neighbourhood. Tenants are also responsible for the actions of people at the property with their permission, including visitors.
Most neighbour concerns can be avoided with a bit of consideration and early communication. If something does go wrong, please let your property manager know before it escalates. It is much easier to work through a small issue early than deal with a formal complaint later.
A peaceful neighbourhood makes renting better for everyone. Small courtesies matter. Park thoughtfully, keep noise reasonable, manage pets responsibly, and treat shared spaces with respect. Your neighbours will appreciate it, and your tenancy will be smoother for it.Back