New House Builder | Dealing With Bad Neighbors

New House Builder | Becoming a homeowner means committing not just to a home, but to a neighborhood. Unfortunately, while you can always improve a home, you can’t always improve bad neighbors.

1. Know what you’re getting into before you buy

You can prevent future headaches by doing research on your neighborhood before you buy a home. You’ll want to find a place that fits your lifestyle, whether you want to start a garage band or you can’t stand noise at night. When you tour a home, spend a little extra time in the area and introduce yourself to anyone you spot outside. Most people are happy to help out a potential new neighbor! Ask them if it’s quiet at night, if they think it’s safe, what they enjoy most about living there and what it’s like to work with the homeowners association, if there is one.

If you have concerns, you can request police reports associated with the home address to see if there have been noise complaints, break-ins, vandalism or other crimes associated with the home. In some areas police reports are considered “material fact” (which is anything that could influence a buyer’s decision to purchase a house) and must be disclosed by the home seller. But it’s a gray area, so it never hurts to double-check.

 

2. Deal with first offenses as amicably as possible

Your neighbors may not realize how loud the music is or how often the dog barks while they’re away until you let them know. If you have a complaint, you should try to speak with them first. If they are not at home, a nice handwritten letter or email goes a long way. Most people will be grateful that you gave them a chance before calling the police. It can help to introduce yourself and exchange contact information when you first move in.

On the flip side, if a neighbor has a valid complaint against you, it’s best to correct the behavior as soon as possible and apologize with a handwritten note and a gift, like a bottle of wine or a fruit basket. Remember that you may have to live next to these people for a long time, so it pays to start out on the right foot.

3. If all else fails, take legal steps

The laws around “residential disturbances” and “unreasonable noise” vary by city, but you can usually find them by searching for those keywords online. If your neighbor is violating city ordinances, you should call the non-emergency police number in your area. Offenders are usually given a verbal warning by the police, and can be fined for an infraction. If you live in a condo or a townhome, another option is to make a complaint to the homeowners association. If requests and police complaints aren’t resolving the issue, and your neighbor’s actions are affecting your enjoyment of your property, you should talk to a lawyer about a private nuisance lawsuit.

4. Lead by example; be a good neighbor yourself

You can’t really complain about loud music if you often play loud music yourself. Set the standard by being considerate of your neighbors at all times. Here are a few things to keep in mind to be a good neighbor:

• Be conscious of noise levels. Make sure not to use loud equipment like saws and lawn mowers late into the evening or very early in the morning. If you’re planning to host a party, it’s a good idea to talk to your neighbors about it first, and even consider inviting them! If you live in a condo with hardwood floors, you should lay rugs down in common areas.
• Maintain your yard and the exterior of your home. If your yard is overrun with weeds and the paint is falling off the exterior, it can reduce the curb appeal of all homes surrounding yours. Set reminders for yourself for basic maintenance on your home; your neighbors will appreciate it.
• Mind your pets. Always pick up after your dog and dispose of the waste properly. If your dog barks throughout the day, talk to a pet trainer about your options. Keep your dog on a leash while walking it in the neighborhood.
• Be considerate when parking. On city streets where space is limited, parking can cause major issues with neighbors. Don’t block your neighbor’s driveway, and don’t take up two parking spots. If you have a homeowners association, you should read the terms associated with your garage or parking space. Many neighborhood associations prohibit you from parking boats, RVs and broken-down vehicles. - Redfin

Looking for a new house builder? Please do not hesitate to contact us at Landon Homes, (904)567-3430!