If you’re looking for a new house, it’s worth knocking on the door and introducing yourself to the neighbours when you’re viewing, to ensure there are no nasty surprises further down the line. New research by HSBC reveals that neighbours who are nosey, chatty, have children and pets, or who steal our parking spaces are among Britain’s biggest bugbears.
While the biggest complaint Brits have with their neighbours unsurprisingly relates to their levels of noise at unsociable hours (28 per cent) or playing loud music or learning a musical instrument (23 per cent), for one in five (19 per cent) neighbours being nosey or interfering was a particular bugbear. Indeed, one in ten find their neighbours annoying just for wanting to speak to them!
“Stealing” favourite car parking spaces (20 per cent), children who are noisy on trampolines or kick balls over the fence (15 per cent) and pets (14 per cent) also make the top 10 irritations we have with those living next door.
Top 10 Grievances with Neighbours
- Being noisy early in the morning or late at night (28 per cent)
- Playing loud music or learning musical instruments (23 per cent)
- Stealing parking place on road (20 per cent)
- Being nosey / interfering (19 per cent)
- Poor upkeep on their gardens / house exterior (18 per cent)
- Being noisy in their garden (18 per cent)
- Having parties (16 per cent)
- Noisy children / trampolines / balls coming over fence (15 per cent)
- Pets (14 per cent)
- Always wanting to speak to me when I’d rather not (11 per cent)
Indeed, one in six (16 per cent) of people have complained to their neighbours directly about a grievance, one in ten (10 per cent) have complained about one of their neighbours to other neighbours and more than one in twenty (6 per cent) have gone so far as to call the police to complain about them.
Martjin Van Der Heijden, head of lending at HSBC commented:
“We can choose our friends but one thing we have little control over is who moves in next door to us. While some people choose to strike a friendship up with their neighbours, living in close proximity can also cause its fair share of irritations. For those who do have a nuisance neighbour or a problem that cannot be resolved directly, there are a number of ways to settle these including the help of an independent mediator.”
