No matter how perfect your home, whether you rent or own your home, live in a block of flats or a detached home, or how idyllic your surroundings are, there is one aspect of your home life that you have little control over and is the one thing that could ruin everything.
Living next door to problem neighbours.
Having bad neighbours can impact every aspect of your life, from causing you health issues to having a serious effect on the value of your home.
Many many people consider moving because of bad neighbours, but is that a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire? Are you better off staying with the devil you know?
If you don’t move, what are your options for dealing with problem neighbours? Can you sell your home if you have a neighbour dispute? Can you break your tenancy agreement because of bad neighbours?
In this week’s home moving blog, we will look at the options you have for dealing with bad neighbours and whether moving because of bad neighbours is the best solution.
You may also like to read: How to Deal with the Anxiety of New Neighbours. Whether you are worried about who is moving in next door or who you will be moving next door to, this guide offers lots of practical advice on how to overcome the anxiety of new neighbours.
What Constitutes a Bad Neighbour?
A business is just as likely to be a problem neighbour
Everybody has different tolerance levels and expectations, but a bad neighbour is usually described as someone who is inconsiderate of the feelings of those who live around them.
There is a vast difference between neighbours from hell and neighbours who are a bit irritating or that annoy you in small ways.
Bad neighbours can take many forms depending on your expectations of what is acceptable behaviour, but bad neighbours tend to fall into three groups:
Irritating Neighbours: There is the nosy neighbour, or the ones that don’t keep their property well maintained, or the ones that just want to boast about their latest purchase who are irritating, but generally do not impact upon your life too much once your front door is closed.
Annoying Neighbours: Then there are the neighbours who annoy you with loud music, or unruly kids or pets. Even from inside your home this type of bad neighbour can have an effect on your quality of life.
Neighbours from Hell: Lastly are the real neighbours from hell, those who openly conduct illegal activities, have constant loud parties, are openly aggressive, or steal from their neighbours for example.
You may also like to read: Help – I Can’t Settle in my New Home. If you are not feeling settled in your home then what could be a minor irritation from a neighbour may become a major issue. In this guide, we look at how to settle into a new area and home and make it feel like you belong there.
Save time and money on your move
Save up to 40% on your upcoming move and get a quote from reputable moving experts.
Talking to your neighbour is the first step, they may not even be aware their dog barks when they are out
How you deal with your bad neighbours will depend upon the seriousness of the situation and how your neighbours will react, or not, as the case may be.
However you try to deal with your bad neighbours never put yourself or your family in danger by escalating the situation.
And before you take any action, consider this:
Often people will not even realise that their behaviour is causing a problem. Equally, you may need to adapt to your new surroundings if you have moved to a new area.
Many people have moved from the city to the countryside. In the city, there are many buildings and background noises that mask or absorb the sound of music for example.
If you play music at the same volume in the countryside it will travel farther and will seem far louder to those around you.
There are many people moving into newly built homes now and may not be aware of just how thin the walls are.
Equally, what is acceptable behaviour in one setting may be totally inappropriate in another.
Therefore just step back for a moment and consider that those next door may not be bad neighbours, they may just not be aware of the impact their actions are having on their neighbours.
In every instance when trying to deal with bad neighbours try chatting first, but only if you feel safe to do so.
Most people will find it harder to be a bad neighbour to someone that they know by name, so go round and introduce yourself, politely explain what the problem is, be friendly, and often the problem will be resolved.
Of course, that is not true for everybody, not everybody has the same level of respect for others that you may have, and in such cases, further action may be required.
If you believe that further action, rather than just a quiet chat will be required start making records of events that are causing you problems.
Record dates, times, and what happened as you may need these records to escalate the complaint to the authorities.
If at any time your neighbour is threatening, violent towards you, or hurls abuse at you that is race or religion-related, contact the Police on 999 or 101.
You may also find these websites useful if you have problem neighbours:
You may also like to read: How to Soundproof Your Home and Garden. In this guide, we look at practical and simple ways to help soundproof your home and garden to mask any sounds not only coming to you but any that you may be transmitting to others.
How to Deal With Nosy Neighbours
Earlier we regarded nosy neighbours as irritating, along with a few other examples of other irritating behaviour.
If your neighbour falls into the irritating bracket then it is just best to ignore their behaviour.
They may be nosy or boastful for example but you don’t have to engage in conversation with them if you don’t want to.
Don’t feed their ego or their need to know every detail of your life.
A polite greeting as you rush by is better than causing offence by totally ignoring them.
The nosey neighbour is often a good source of information and will keep an eye on your property, like having a private security guard, so it pays to not totally cut them out of your life.
If you don’t engage with the busybodies then they cannot irritate you. And once your front door is closed they will have no impact on your happiness.
Of course, if their nosiness impacts your privacy, such as peering over the garden fence, then you may need to take further action.
This could include planting high shrubs, erecting tall fences, or talking to them about how uncomfortable their behaviour makes you feel.
Generally, though, the irritating neighbour can be dealt with by:
Keeping them at arm’s length
Being polite but not engaging with them
By Closing your door and enjoying your home as the sanctuary it should be
You may also like to read: How to Make a Home More Relaxing. By making your home more relaxing whatever happens outside your four walls will hopefully have less impact on your quality of life. In this guide, we look at some great ways to create a peaceful and relaxing home.
How to Deal With Annoying Neighbours
Working from home and noisy neighbours just don’t mix
Talk to the problem neighbour (if you feel safe enough to do so)
Keep records of incidents with dates and times
Seek other neighbours opinions on the situation
Consider using a mediator to arbitrator
Report the problem to the landlord/council/Police as appropriate
Seek guidance from Citizens Advice on the next steps to take
Neighbours that have an impact on your quality of life even once your front door is shut may require additional action to resolve the situation.
You and your neighbour may disagree that their behaviour is an issue, they may see their behaviour as perfectly normal.
It may help to speak to other neighbours to see if they agree with your assessment of the situation. If they do agree then it will make your case against the bad neighbour all the stronger.
If having spoken to the neighbour that you have an issue with, the situation still continues, then it may need a mediator to help resolve the problem.
This will be someone who is impartial to both sides and will help you hopefully come to some sort of agreement to resolve the situation.
Your local council may be able to help you find a local mediator. You can find your local council contact details on www.gov.uk
If the situation does not improve then you may also report the bad neighbours to their landlord, your local council, or the Police, depending on what the actual issue is.
After taking these steps and there is still no resolution then contact Citizens Advice you will be able to help you decide what further action you can take.
You may also like to read: The Bright Side of Moving Home. You may well feel like you are being made to leave your lovely home because of bad neighbours but this guide will reiterate to you all the positive reasons for moving home.
How to Deal With the Neighbours From Hell
Talk to the problem neighbour (if you feel safe enough to do so)
Keep records of incidents with dates and times
Seek neighbours opinions on the situation
Consider using a mediator to arbitrate
Report the problem to the landlord/council/Police as appropriate
Seek guidance from Citizens Advice on the next steps to take
If the people living next door really are the neighbours from hell then you are going to need help in resolving the situation.
Often these types of people have no respect for anyone so even approaching them to discuss the issues may not be an option.
Always, always consider your safety and the repercussions of any action you take.
If the neighbours are doing anything illegal or threaten you in any way then always contact the Police.
Always keep very detailed records including any witnesses or details of others affected by the bad neighbours’ actions.
It may take many months, even years to collate enough evidence and for the authorities to go through processes before any action is taken to resolve the situation.
These are websites that you will find useful when trying to deal with the neighbours from hell:
You may also like to read: What Type of Property is Right for Me – House, Bungalow, or Flat. The type of property we live in sometimes affects the amount of noise we will be subjected to. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of different designs of property so that you can choose which would be best for you.
Should I Move Because of the Neighbours From Hell?
Sociable or nightmare neighbours?
Do people move because of bad neighbours?
Yes, very many people move every year in the UK because of bad neighbours.
Unless you have experienced living next to a neighbour from hell then it is difficult to understand just what an impact they can have on your life.
It is no wonder then that having nightmare neighbours is a common reason for wanting to move home.
Having taken all the actions that you can, and the situation has still not been resolved then, for your own sanity and well-being, moving home may be the best solution.
Wherever you move to you are likely to experience some level of noise or some irritating behaviour by others, but often the improvement in your quality of life overall once you have escaped from the neighbours from hell is worth every penny it will cost you.
It is impossible to put a price on your mental well-being and improved quality of life.
Of course, there is no guarantee that your new neighbours will be perfect or that they are, but then move out in 6 months’ time.
That is a chance you will have to take, but compared to the situation you find yourself in right now, your life can only get better.
In a later section, we will discover how to spot bad neighbours when looking for a new home.
If you are thinking of moving because of your neighbours you will obviously be warier about where you move to next, but with plenty of research, reasonable expectations, and maybe even some compromise, you will hopefully find the peace and quiet along with the improved quality life that you are seeking.
The vast majority of people who can afford to move away from nightmare neighbours believe it to be the best decision they ever made.
You may also like to read: Where are the Most Peaceful Places in the UK to Live? Region by region we list the most peaceful places to live in the UK as ranked by the number of complaints registered with the authorities regarding noise.
Declaring Neighbour Disputes When Selling a Home
The happy sound of summer or intolerable screaming and shouting?
If you are selling your home because of bad neighbours you will be required to declare any neighbour disputes on the Sellers Property Information Form.
This is a legal form that provides information to the buyer not only about the physical condition of the property, but also about past, present, and possible future disputes that you have/could possibly have with the neighbours.
You are also obliged to declare if any disputes have been raised against you.
You have a legal obligation to honestly answer these questions or you may face possible legal action from the buyer in the future.
What is Considered a Neighbour Dispute?
Neighbour disputes are subjective and a bit of a grey area.
But generally, any issue with your neighbours that you have had to involve the authorities with to resolve must be declared.
However, the reason you want to move may not be a problem for a potential buyer.
For example, if the reason you are moving is because of barking dogs, but the buyer is a dog owner, they may be used to barking dogs so it will be no problem for them.
If a previous problem has been resolved without the need to involve the authorities then this may not need to be declared.
To err on the side of caution you should take legal advice from your solicitor as to whether you need to declare disputes that have been resolved or that have not had mediation or involvement from the authorities.
What Neighbour Disputes Do You Have to Declare?
When you have had to put a complaint in writing to your neighbour or have involved the authorities in helping you resolve an issue.
Anything relating to boundary disputes
Can I Claim If a Seller Did Not Declare a Neighbour Dispute?
If there is a documented dispute with a neighbour that the seller has not declared then you could take legal action against them, even years after you bought the property.
How to Find Out About Neighbour Disputes
If you are moving because of neighbours the last thing you will want to do is move next to bad neighbours again.
Here are some tips on where to check whether there are any problem neighbours in your potential new area:
Every street has a nosy neighbour so knock on some doors and ask them what the neighbours and neighbourhood are like. The nosy neighbour will give you all the local info you need.
Visit www.police.uk and enter the postcode of the property you are thinking of moving into. It will show you any reported crimes such as anti-social behaviour.
Speak to the local neighbourhood watch coordinator
Speak to the local PCSO
Contact the local council who will have a log of anti-social behaviour for example
You may also like to read: Moving Home as an Introvert. Your new neighbours may feel that you are an unfriendly neighbour because you are not very sociable, without them knowing that you are an introvert. In this guide, we look at how to make moving to a new home and area easier as an introvert.
Can I Break My Lease Because of Bad Neighbours?
You can only end a tenancy agreement early if there is a break clause in the contract or if your landlord agrees.
You should read your lease contract carefully before ending your tenancy early as you may be liable to pay rent and bills for the full term of the contract.
You can get more advice about ending your tenancy agreement at:
You may also like to read: How to Tell Your Landlord You Are Moving Out. In this guide, we explain the different types of lease agreements, when they can be ended, and how to notify your landlord that you want to move out.
How to Spot Bad Neighbours When Moving to a New Home
The sound of the countryside or a really annoying alarm clock?
With a bit of research, there are things you can do to minimize the risk of moving next to problem neighbours again.
Here are some things to look out for when viewing a potential new home:
Scrutinise the Seller Property Information Form looking more for what has not been declared than what has been. Are the answers vague or evasive? Double-check every answer yourself, you can never be too careful.
When viewing the property ask the seller directly about the neighbours then gauge their reaction. If they try to change the subject or gloss over the question, ask yourself why.
Find out why the property is being sold
Find out who lives next door. Is it rented by students? Is it a house share?
Knock on the neighbours doors. Ask about the neighbourhood and the neighbours in the street.
Take a good look at the exterior of the neighbours homes.
Are there signs of pets or barking dogs as you walk past?
Is the garden unkempt?
Is the exterior of the property well maintained?
Are there numerous kids’ playthings in the garden like swings and trampolines?
Are there piles of rubbish everywhere?
Is there a big BBQ area with speakers and strobe lights for example?
Is the recycle bin overflowing with beer bottles? This may indicate they have big parties.
Browse through local Facebook pages which may mention neighbour problems
Contact the local council to see if there are any anti-social behaviour issues in the street
Look through the Police crime data for that area to see what the crime rate is like
Speak to the local PCSO or local Police station
Visit the property at various times of the day on different days of the week.
Whilst not all of the steps above will guarantee you good neighbours, and not all of the indicators may bother you particularly (such as the neighbours having pets or kids), you will soon realise whether this is an area that you would be happy to live in.
You may also like to read: How to Decide Where to Live Next. In this guide, we suggest some questions you may like to ask yourself so that you can make the right decision about where to move to.
How to Be a Good Neighbour
Be the neighbour from heaven, not hell
Having escaped your neighbours from hell and moved to a new home, it would be ironic if your new neighbours thought you were a bad neighbour.
If you have moved from the city to the countryside in search of peace and quiet for example you will find that what is acceptable behaviour in the city is unacceptable in the countryside.
Even the demographics of the area in which you move can determine what acceptable behaviour is and what is not.
So what makes a good neighbour? Being a good neighbour comes down to being tolerant, considerate, and understanding.
Here are some ways to help you stay on the right side of your new neighbours:
Introduce yourself to your new neighbours. They will likely let you know what the local ‘rules’ are or what upsets people on your street.
Take the time to say hello, even if it is just in passing.
Keep noise to a reasonable level
Take steps to help prevent noise from travelling to your neighbours home such as putting rugs down on hardwood floors or moving the TV off the shared wall
If you are organising a party or some DIY then let your neighbours know
Don’t drill, hammer, or use garden machinery early morning or late at night
Minimise the noise from kids playing outside by taking them in at a reasonable time at night
Park your car considerately and respect any parking restrictions there may be
Keep your dog under control and make sure that it cannot escape from your garden
Prevent your dog from barking for long periods
Keep your outdoor space clean and tidy
Don’t light bonfires if your neighbour is sitting in the garden or has washing hanging out
Don’t block communal areas with bikes and prams for example
Always close communal doors and lift doors securely
We hope you found the information in this article useful and if you have made the decision to move home because of your neighbours be sure to visit our home moving blog where you will find dozens of useful guides to help make your home move cheaper, easier, and safer.
And if you have moved home because of the neighbours from hell why not comment below and tell us what an amazing improvement it has made to your quality of life.
*At RemovalReviews we will connect you with a professional moving company. Please note that we may not be affiliated with
and you may be speaking with another licensed provider.
Best removals nearby
We use cookies to optimise your experience.Accept and close or Learn more
Share your thoughts by leaving a comment