Be the Change
Sometimes, it is easy to become irritated by our neighbors without taking a step back and giving our own behavior a closer look. Before you start accusing your neighbors of being a dilemma, make sure that you do not contribute to it yourself. Is your noise level too intense? Do your pets display bad behavior? Do you keep your property neat and clean? Do you respect the property of your neighbors? By answering such questions honestly, you can ensure that you are a decent neighbor first.
Get to Know Your Neighbor
It looks counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to address a bad neighbor situation is to approach them directly. Attempt to open a line of approachable communication with your neighbor by learning more about them. Introduce yourself, say hello when you see one another, and try to make your first interactions cheerful. While not all neighbors will respond in the same way, at least you have done your part to establish a relationship. Preferably, try to discuss the bad behaviors in a well-mannered, non-provocative approach. There is no guarantee that this will stop the irritating behavior, but it will help your neighbor understand that what they are doing is causing problems for others.
The Golden Rule
If your bad neighbor is always protesting about things, perhaps the best thing you can do is listen with empathy. While some neighbors may become unfriendly or violent, if you bring up complaints, others may turn around and begin to accuse you of doing things they don’t like. It can be hard not to become defensive, but it is much more productive to stay approachable and cooperative than to “win” the fight. If you do what you can to fix your neighbor’s complaints, they may be more likely to do the same for you.
Document Everything
Being friendly does not mean letting your neighbors get away with their wrongdoing. As you work with your neighbor, it is good to document what is going on with photos, videos, or other ways. A video or photo of the bad behavior will present much better evidence if you need to inform your other neighbors, the owner’s association, landlord, attorney, or even the local authorities. Preferably, also keep a record of relevant dates, times, and conversations. Save all phone and text messages and emails, if any. There’s a good chance you may never need the video and photos you’ve taken, but it’s important to have everything ready just in case.
Contact the Authorities
If you’ve tried everything else, but your neighbor’s behaviors didn’t stop, maybe that is the time you engage with the local authorities. This is especially true if your neighbor threatens you, damages the property, or tries to harm you or someone in your household. Some manners can be addressed through the city’s code enforcement department, health department, owner’s association, or animal control. But if you see any illegal activity or things escalate into violence, call the police.
Of course, one of the best ways to get away from a bad neighbor is to move to a new Chesterfield rental home. Real Property Management Endeavor has the perfect home for you if you’re looking to move. Check out our rental listings or contact us online.