Being a good neighbour

Your tenancy agreement states you are responsible for your own behaviour and the behaviour of anyone living with you (including children) or anyone visiting your property. You are responsible for their behaviour inside your home and in the locality of your home.

How to approach your neighbours if you have a problem with their behaviour

If it is safe to do so, try talking to your neighbour, in the first instance. 

Here are a some tips.

• Think about the issue and ask yourself “am I being reasonable?”.
• Make sure it is safe to approach your neighbour.
• Take the time to say hello to your neighbour or invite them in for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat.
• Choose a time that’s convenient for everyone. Try to avoid meal times and late at night or early morning.
• If you are on good terms with your neighbour and there is a noise issue invite them to your house to listen to it. They may not know they are causing a problem.
• If there is a noise issue ask yourself “is this an everyday living noise” and cannot be avoided?
• Understand your neighbour may have a different lifestyle to yours.
• Do not leave talking to your neighbour for too long as the problem will get worse and you will get angry and less likely to come to an agreement.
• Do not start shouting or threaten your neighbour as this will make the problem worse.
• Be prepared to listen to what your neighbour has to say and come to an agreement that is best for both of you. 
• If you feel you cannot speak to your neighbour you can write them a letter. Keep a copy as it is useful evidence if the problem gets worse.

Encouraging Good Neighbours Campaign

Neighbour disputes make up the majority of anti-social behaviour (ASB) complaints received by DDC's Housing Team. Working with tenants who had been involved with ASB cases, an innovative and creative ‘everybody needs good neighbours’ campaign was born.

A central part of the campaign was a cartoon community that featured eight neighbours living in a fictional block of flats. The characters, matched the profiling information of DDC tenants, and their personalities, names, homes, clothing and even hair styles were decided by members of the Tenants Communication Group and ASB Group who were involved with the campaign.

See our good neighbour leaflet