Tenants may have various reasons to rent a house but one of the biggest is the fact that there are no, or at least fewer, shared walls with neighbors. Anyone who has rented an apartment has likely dealt with the noise of the neighbors upstairs or next door. By renting a house, there’s a good chance those worries will be a thing of the past.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be any neighbor issues at all. Unfortunately, house renters can still have problems with those living next door or down the street. From party houses and noisy pets, to unkempt yards and antisocial behavior, bad neighbors can make or break life in a house rental.
Fortunately, renters aren’t powerless and there are ways to handle neighbor issues when renting a house.
Speak With the Neighbor in Person
With any dispute with the neighbors, be it in a house or an apartment, the first course of action should always be to speak with them face to face. The vast majority of people don’t intend any harm and would be surprised to learn that their behavior is upsetting their neighbors.
As such, tenants who are having problems with their neighbors are advised to drop by and discuss the situation face to face. Here are a few tips.
1. Try To Meet the Neighbors Before Issues Begin
Prevention is often the best cure, and all tenants could benefit from striving to meet their neighbors and introduce themselves when they move in. Forming this positive connection before any issues or disputes arise can set the foundations for a healthy relationship going forward.
It’s also easier to approach someone known than a complete stranger when discussing a complaint. Plus, it lets the neighbors know that someone is now living in the house so they can act accordingly.
2. Stay Calm and Be Respectful
It can be infuriating to be kept awake in the middle of the night by a neighbor making noise. However, no matter how unreasonable they seem to be, kindness, respect, and a calm manner can go a long way. Meanwhile, angrily banging on the door and shouting at people is a quick way to make enemies who don’t care about righting any wrongs.
By staying calm and respectful, the neighbor is much more likely to react positively to the news that they’re causing a disturbance of some sort and will be more likely to amend their behavior.
3. Remember They’re Probably Not Trying To Upset You
Depending on the type of house or area, there’s a very good chance that the disruptive neighbor isn’t aware they’re making a noise or doing something to upset anyone. Even in detached homes, walls can be thin and noise can travel in strange ways depending on the layout of the neighborhood. In other cases, they may simply not be aware that someone new has moved in and once they know, will adjust their behavior.
Tenants should keep this in mind when discussing issues with their neighbors, as it can help keep things more rational than emotional, ensuring a healthy dialogue can follow.
4. Compromise and Come to an Agreement
In some cases, it can be unrealistic for the neighbor to live in a way that doesn’t cause at least a little bit of a disturbance at times. Being understanding and willing to compromise can go a long way to recognizing the issues and managing them in a way that works for everyone.
For example, if a neighbor’s video games, TV, or music is disruptive at night, even at a lower volume, they may be able to switch rooms after a certain hour.
As another example, rather than insisting a neighbor’s pet must stay inside to prevent it getting into the tenant’s yard, both parties can look at solutions to ensure the pet gets some outdoor time without crossing any boundaries.
When To Escalate
Nine times out of ten, a calm and respectful conversation can resolve most neighborly disputes. However, there may occasionally be times where it’s not enough. The good news is that renters do still have a few options in this case.
Knowing when to escalate can be tricky. Often it seems like an overreaction, but it is usually justified if the neighbor refuses to cooperate, doesn’t treat the renter with respect, acts aggressively, and continues to cause disruptions. Additionally, if the neighbor won’t engage at all, tenants have few options but to escalate the issue.
1. Complain to the Landlord
A written complaint to the landlord about the problem neighbor should be the first step. This creates a paper trail in case further escalation is needed. If the tenant’s right to peaceful enjoyment of the property is compromised by the neighbor, the tenant is well within their rights to make a complaint. Rather than just lodging a complaint, however, it’s a good idea to ask if the landlord can do anything about the neighbor in question.
For example, if the disruptive neighbor is also a tenant of the landlord, the landlord can enforce the terms of the lease agreement. In almost every lease agreement, the tenant must agree not to cause or allow any behavior that will disturb their neighbors. If they’re found to be breaking this promise, the landlord can fine them, and may even have grounds for eviction in more serious cases.
However, if the neighbor is not a tenant of the landlord, there’s not much the landlord can do about it. They may be able to talk to the neighbor, or their landlord, on their tenant’s behalf and try to find a solution. But unfortunately, they have no power to enforce any of their rules on people who aren’t their tenants.
2. Contact the Relevant Authorities
When nuisance neighbors won’t listen to the renter or their landlord, the renter’s next option is to contact the relevant authorities. It’s best to check local regulations, but for noise and anti-social behavior complaints, the police should usually be contacted. Be sure to provide evidence and keep a log of any previous complaints and attempts to communicate with the neighbor.
Image Credit: New Africa
