Unless you’re loaded, chances are, you have neighbours.
Whether you live in a terraced or semi-detached house, the people you share a wall with might be fed up with some of your antics. Chances are, you’re not purposely trying to annoy them, but if you do these things, the people who live next door to you are probably praying you win the next Omaze draw and move away ASAP.
1. Throwing loud parties late into the night
Source: Unsplash Nothing tests neighbourly patience like loud music, rowdy laughter, and a driveway full of cars at 2 a.m. It’s not that people don’t want you to have fun—they just don’t want it shaking their walls. A good rule of thumb? Keep the noise down after bedtime to avoid becoming the talk of the neighbourhood (and not in a good way).
2. Letting your pets roam free
Even the cutest dog or cat can lose its charm when it’s digging up flower beds or leaving unwelcome “gifts” in someone else’s front garden (or back, if it’s a shared space). Free-roaming pets can cause more headaches than smiles, especially for neighbours trying to maintain their space. Keeping your furry friends in check can go a long way toward maintaining peace.
3. Ignoring your garden
Overgrown grass, weeds taller than the mailbox, and a front garden that looks like a jungle can irritate neighbours who take pride in their curb appeal. It’s not about perfection—just keeping things tidy can show that you care about the shared space of the neighbourhood.
4. Taking up all the parking
Parking your car—or multiple cars—in spots other neighbours rely on can quickly create tension. Whether it’s the curb in front of their home or shared spaces, hogging parking feels inconsiderate. Being mindful of how much space you’re taking up can prevent silent (or vocal) frustration.
5. Blasting music in your back garden
Whether it’s during a BBQ or just a lazy afternoon, turning up the speakers might feel fun for you, but it can be a headache for the neighbours. Not everyone shares your love of classic rock or techno. Keeping the volume reasonable shows consideration for the people around you.
6. Letting rubbish pile up
Overflowing bins or scattered recycling blowing into other people’s garden is a quick way to get on your neighbours’ bad side. Regularly tidying up your rubbish area and putting the bins out (and away) on time can keep things looking—and smelling—better for everyone.
7. Having constant deliveries clogging the street
If your driveway or curb is always full of delivery vans and packages, it can make navigating the street frustrating for others. While online shopping is a modern convenience, being mindful of traffic flow is a neighbourly move.
8. Using loud tools at odd hours
Firing up the leaf blower or power tools at dawn might seem productive to you, but it’s a wake-up call no one asked for. Timing is everything—keeping the noise to reasonable hours can save your neighbours from feeling like they live next to a construction site.
9. Hosting jumble sales that never end
Jumble sales can be a fun way to clear out clutter, but when they become a regular occurrence, it can feel like your house is a permanent flea market. Traffic, strangers wandering around, and endless setups can leave your neighbours dreaming of quieter weekends.
10. Blocking paths with your stuff
Leaving bikes, toys, or rubbish bins scattered across the pavement forces neighbours to navigate an obstacle course on their daily walks. Keeping public pathways clear shows respect for shared spaces and avoids unnecessary grumbles.
11. Letting your kids run wild without supervision
Kids playing outside is great—until it spills over into other gardens or leads to damaged property. Unsupervised children can create unintentional chaos, leaving neighbours stuck in awkward situations. Setting boundaries for where they can play keeps the peace intact.
12. Gossiping about neighbours to other neighbours
Nothing stirs up tension in a neighbourhood like someone who’s always whispering about everyone else. Gossip can spread quickly, and when it circles back, it’s not a great look. Sticking to pleasant small talk can save you from becoming the local drama magnet.
13. Ignoring noise complaints
If someone musters up the courage to ask you to keep it down, brushing them off or doubling down on the noise is a fast track to resentment. Acknowledging their concerns and making an effort to compromise shows you care about being a good neighbour.
14. Forgetting to say hello
Sometimes, all it takes is a smile or a wave to keep things friendly. Ignoring your neighbours or acting like they don’t exist can make you seem standoffish or uninterested. A little friendliness goes a long way toward keeping relationships warm and welcoming.
