How do I approach neighbours about a nuisance issue?
What to do when a neighbour has become a nuisance
In a perfect world, all our neighbours would be our friends and we’d regularly trade cups of sugar and lend out lawnmowers with smiles on our faces.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Be it a noise issue, a property boundary dispute or any other problem, there will likely come a time when you’ll need to approach a neighbour about some kind of nuisance.
When this situation arises, it’s important to keep your cool and follow some general guidelines in order to keep the peace and have your home remain a sanctuary, not a battleground.
- Timing is key
If a problem arises, it’s a good idea to speak with your neighbour sooner rather than later. This will give you less time to stew on something they may not even be aware of.
With that said, if you’re angry, it’s probably a good idea to hold off on approaching a neighbour until you’ve had some time to cool off.
Either way, when you do approach your neighbour, do so at a convenient time that will give you ample opportunity to talk. Banging on someone’s door in the middle of the night is not ideal.
- Cordial is better than cranky
A neighbour that keeps you up at all hours of the night with blaring music may lead you to write a nasty note or yell some choice words over the fence, but this strategy has the potential to backfire horribly.
After all, it’s not as if your neighbour will suddenly pack up and leave overnight. You have to live next to this person, and if you start a feud, it could turn your homelife into a living hell.
That’s why it’s important to be polite and reasonable in all dealings with your neighbour. Honey really does attract more flies than vinegar in the end.