How can you maintain good relations with your neighbours?

Good relations with neighbours are important. Almost all of us have one or more neighbours, and it is important to maintain good relations with them. Even though we do not live directly with them, they are nevertheless part of our daily lives. Here are a few tips that may prove useful.

• Be polite and cheerful: respect must be mutual. If you want your neighbours to respect you, you must respect them in return.
• Comply with the co-ownership regulations, where applicable.
• Invite them to small gatherings: organising small events allows you to get to know your neighbours better and potentially build stronger relationships with them.
• Do not be too noisy: having a neighbour who throws parties or plays loud music late into the night is unpleasant. You should therefore be mindful of the noise you make, particularly between 10 pm and 7 am.
• Make small gestures: for example, if you are going out to pick up a few things, why not ask your neighbour whether they need anything?
• Be tolerant and open-minded
• Take care with your planting: if you are fortunate enough to have a garden, try not to plant anything that could inconvenience your neighbours, such as trees that grow too tall, or ask for their agreement if it extends slightly beyond the boundary.
• Do not be intrusive, and avoid gossip and judgement
• Create shared spaces: it can be pleasant to create communal areas where people can gather or share things.

If you follow these tips, you should enjoy good relations with your neighbours.