How to be a good neighbour
Sometimes we might not realise how our actions can affect the people around us or that we might be disturbing people.
Consider how your actions might affect your neighbours. For example, loud parties, early morning or late evening DIY work, smoky BBQs, bonfires or barking dogs can cause disputes.
Respect different lifestyles. Single incidents, like a party, can be annoying but try to tolerate them if they are not happening regularly. If they are happening regularly and cause problems, talk to your neighbour in a friendly way to find a solution.
Only approach your neighbour if you feel safe to and consider asking a friend or another neighbour to come with you.
Noise and music
No home is completely soundproof so we should expect some noise from our neighbours. However, it is important to keep noise at a reasonable level especially late at night or for long periods. You should:
- keep the volume of your TV or radio at a reasonable level
- remember that sound travels through walls, floors and doors and think about using rugs or felt pads under furniture to reduce noise if you have hard floors
- tell your neighbours if you are planning a party or doing any noisy DIY work
- try to cooperate if a neighbour asks you to reduce noise, for example, you could move your TV away from shared walls
- keep volume at a reasonable level if you are playing music outside and switch it off when it gets late
Children playing
Be tolerant of children playing outside. If you are a parent, think about how the noise can affect your neighbours. You can:
- find alternative places for children to play if possible
- not let children kick footballs against walls, especially your neighbours' walls
Issues can often be resolved quickly if you respond reasonably to complaints about your children's behaviour.
Parking
You do not have automatic rights to park outside your home. Make sure you consider other people when you park. You should avoid blocking:
- entrances
- dropped kerbs
- garages
- pavements
Be a responsible dog owner
You must:
- try not to let your dog bark or whine for long periods
- clean up after your dog
- keep your dog under control when out walking and use a lead where necessary
- make sure your dog is microchipped and wears a collar with your contact details
If you have problems with your neighbours
Keep a record of what is happening.
If you feel safe to do so, talk to your neighbour about the problem as soon as possible. If you are not confident talking to them alone, ask a friend or another neighbour to come with you.
When you talk to your neighbour, you should:
- plan what you are going to say
- choose a convenient time
- avoid having a discussion when you are feeling angry or upset
- be polite and explain the problem and how it affects you
- listen to their opinions and be open to suggestions
- try to come to an agreement that works for everyone
Do not use threatening behaviour or approach your neighbour if you do not feel safe.
If you do not feel safe talking to your neighbour, you can:
- speak to a solicitor - they can help you seek a legal solution
- contact us - we might be able to offer advice
- speak to your landlord if you live in rented or social housing that is not owned by the council
- contact your Housing Officer if you or your neighbour live in a North Yorkshire Council property
If a crime is being committed, call North Yorkshire Police on 101 or 999.
Report anti-social behaviour
Visit our anti-social behaviour page to find out how to report anti-social behaviour to us and what we can do to help.
You can also read our council housing anti-social behaviour policy.