Unspoken neighborhood rules you don’t want to break
It seems that there is a new viral video every day showing neighbors getting into heated disputes over minor issues. Neighborhood conflicts are nothing new, and for those involved, they can be quite stressful and scary. That’s why some people choose to live in a community with an active Homeowners’ Association that crafts specific rules for those living there.
However, if you don’t have an HOA, there are some unspoken rules everyone should follow to ensure they are a good neighbor. Take a look at these and let us know if you agree.
Mow Your Lawn At A Reasonable Time
Nobody wants a 7 a.m. wake-up call on a Saturday because their neighbor decided to get a head start on the day’s yard work. When it comes to mowing your lawn, most people say any time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. is acceptable, but check your local bylaws, which may have other time restrictions.
Give People A Head’s Up If You’re Having A Party
Of course, having a party from time to time is expected and encouraged – it is your home after all! But, if you know your guests might be taking up parking spots or staying a bit later, just let your neighbors know. It will give them some time to plan ahead and reduce the chances of getting into a confrontation on the day of the event.
Never Block Your Neighbor’s Driveway
There are special circumstances where blocking a neighbor’s driveway might be necessary for a short amount of time, like if a large delivery truck needs to drop something off. In these cases, be sure to give your neighbors plenty of warning. However, blocking your neighbor’s driveway simply because there is limited parking is a major no-no. Unless you want your car towed, don’t risk it.
Pick Up Your Dog’s Poop
This should go without saying, but clean up after your dog! Nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to accidentally step in dog poop when they’re going for a nice walk around the block. Besides being unpleasant, poop is also unsanitary and can attract pests, so keep the neighborhood clean by scooping up any waste.
Park Mindfully
On the subject of parking, try to be mindful, especially when it comes to street parking or parking in a shared lot. Ensure you park in your assigned spot, don’t take up too many spaces, and leave room your your neighbors’ cars. Parking problems can lead to a lot of neighbor conflicts, so just follow the rules.
Maintain Your Yard
If you don’t have a green thumb, that’s okay. In most neighborhoods, just keeping your lawn trim and tidy is enough. Having a well-maintained yard is an expectation in most communities. However, if you need help with mowing or basic yard work, ask your neighbors for help. They’d rather assist than see your yard fall into disarray.
Talk To Your Neighbors First If There Is A Problem
It might seem obvious, but most people are hesitant to try it. If you do have an issue with your neighbors – whether it’s because of excessive noise or a parking issue – try talking to the neighbor about your concerns. Keep your tone light and positive and avoid direct confrontation. In most cases a friendly and polite reminder face-to-face will solve the problem.
Follow Garbage Day Rules
One way to lose friends in a community is to not respect the garbage day rules. No one wants to see your garbage piled by the curb well before the pick-up day; it looks unsightly and can start to smell. Also, if a critter gets into your trash and makes a mess, be sure to clean it up as soon as you notice.
Let Kids Be Kids
If your neighborhood has kids living in it, expect to hear some noise from them playing outside. As long as the noise isn’t overly excessive or happening at unwanted hours, do your best to ignore it. After all, kids deserve to have a safe place to play, too.
Get To Know Your Neighbors A Bit
Saying hello and waving to your neighbors can go a long way in building a positive relationship with them. By no means do you have to become best friends with your neighbors, but even these simple, friendly gestures create rapport. It can come in handy if you ever need assistance or want to resolve a dispute.
Respect Local Traffic Laws
Many neighborhoods have reduced speed limits and other safety features to keep kids and pedestrians out of harm’s way. Not only is it the law, but neighbors will quickly notice if you’re speeding down the roads, breezing through stop signs, and not respecting school zones. Be a good neighbor and drive safely.
Don’t Be Passive-Agressive In The Online Neighborhood Group
Neighborhood groups are becoming increasingly popular online and through social media platforms. They are a great way to share news about local events, but don’t be tempted to post passive-agressive messages about your neighbors. Negative messages and rumors can quickly ruin a community group and cause numerous problems – both online and in-person.
Don’t Plant Invasive Species
For homeowners who have a garden, be sure to do your due diligence when planting, especially if your garden is close to your neighbors’. Invasive species like bamboo, mint, and lily of the valley can spread quickly and even find their way into neighboring gardens. Unless you want to pay for a professional to remove them from your next-door neighbor’s flowerbeds, keep them contained or don’t plant them at all.
Return Borrowed Items Promptly When You’re Done With Them
It’s helpful when a neighbor loans you a tool for a specific project because that means you’ll save some money. It should go without saying, but once you’re done with that item, return it as soon as possible. No one wants to be in that awkward situation where it’s July, and you still have your neighbor’s snow shovel.
Don’t Use Your Neighbor’s Garden As Your Pet’s Personal Potty
Most people understand that dogs need to go to the bathroom, and having them relieve themselves near the curb of their lawn is usually acceptable. However, people don’t want dogs and other pets wandering into their garden to do their business. Urine can be quite acidic and can kill certain plants, so stay away from your neighbor’s flowerbeds when Fido has to go.
Backyard Pool Safety Is A Must
Most communities have strict laws regarding backyard pools and as a homeowner or renter, it is your responsibility to ensure they are followed. The biggest one is having a proper fence around the pool and keeping it locked at all times. Pool safety is a serious concern and no one wants a tragedy to happen in their own backyard.
Return Lost Mail Or Packages
From time to time, a package or letter can be delivered to the wrong address. If you recognize the name and address, do your best to get the package to the rightful owner. This isn’t a case of finders keepers – do the right thing and return it.
If You Have A Home-Based Business, Remember Your Neighbors
These days, many business owners run their enterprise from their home. Home-based salons, daycares, and mechanical repairs are common throughout the country. Just remember, as much as you want to put your customers first, you have to be mindful of your neighbors, too. Make sure customers are parking in appropriate locations and not creating traffic jams on your street. If there are “busy times,” try to let your neighbors know beforehand.
Keep Leaf Blowing To A Minimum
There are some people out there who love getting out their leaf blower and clearing their yard, but be reasonable. Similar to mowing your lawn, try to do it at an appropriate time that won’t ruin people’s sleep schedules and keep it to once or twice a week at most. Otherwise, your neighbors might come after you.
Keep Toys And Balls In Your Yard
For people with young children, it’s totally normal for the odd ball or toy to go over the fence and into a neighboring yard. Most people will have no problem with you retrieving the item, as long as you ask before going into their yard. However, if it becomes an everyday occurrence, people might get annoyed. That’s when it might be time to head to the park, where there’s no chance of those balls ending up in someone else’s yard.
Respect The Privacy Fence
Privacy fences exist for a reason – to protect people’s privacy. If you’re constantly popping your head over the fence or looking into someone’s yard, you’ll quickly become a nuisance. People really value their privacy and hate the feeling of being watched in their own yard.
Give People Their Space
Being friendly is one thing, but that “friendliness” can soon be seen as overbearing. Unless you know your neighbors really well, keep conversations short, only knock on their door when necessary, and don’t interrupt when they are hanging out on the porch or patio. Even if your intentions are good, people will get annoyed quickly.
Keep Your Lawn Free Of Debris
Your lawn is not the best place to store things like old tires, garbage, or broken appliances. These objects are eyesores and hurt a neighborhood’s reputation. Plus, junk and debris can attract pests, so be sure to dispose of them properly.
Be Mindful About Wildlife
Bird feeders are popular accessories for yards, but think about how they will impact your neighbors before installing them. Some people online report that their neighbor’s bird feeders increased noise levels, especially in the mornings. Also, with more birds comes more droppings, so don’t hang it where bird poop will land in your neighbor’s yard or property.
Let Neighbors Know When You’re Planning Major Renovations
Many home renovations are essential for maintaining a house’s integrity and quality. If you know there will be increased noise and workers on your property for a specific amount of time, give your neighbors fair warning. There is nothing worse than your contractor and your neighbor getting into a fight over construction noise.
Stay Within Your Property Lines
When you are planning renovations or upgrading your landscaping, be sure to double-check your property lines. No one wants to be in the awkward situation where they realize that their new driveway actually crosses over onto their neighbor’s property. Incidents like that can lead to legal issues and neighborhood disputes, so check beforehand.
Remember The Golden Rule
Ultimately being a good neighbor comes down to the golden rule: Treat others the way you would want to be treated. If you keep that in mind, you’ll find that living in a community is rewarding, safe, and fun!
Do you have any unspoken neighborhood rules that we missed?
