How To Avoid Problems With New Neighbors

Most of us have to deal with neighbors. Sometimes, you find yourself with bad neighbors who are hard to handle. It’s surprising how common neighbor disputes can be.

There are laws that govern how you can use your residential property. There are also many laws related to neighbors. You’ll have to follow them as a homeowner or renter, and so will your new neighbors. Below, see tips to understand what you can and can’t do about neighbor-related stress.

Remember, real estate law can be complicated. Facing an issue with a neighbor can be rough. If you’re struggling with an issue related to neighbor relations or being a homeowner, it’s likely a good idea to speak with a licensed real estate attorney.

Watch for Common Neighbor Problems

If you have new neighbors, you might have concerns if:

• They are noisy, such as with loud music, barking dogs, or shouting.
• They are messy, such as by dumping junk in their yard.
• They or their pets are trespassing on your land.
• Their belongings, plants, or waste begin to encroach on your property.
• You smell strong odors coming from their property while trying to enjoy yours.
• They start a landscaping or home improvement project that affects your view or property.
• They take your parking space.
• Their guests are frequent and rowdy.

These problems can be signs of a bad neighbor, but they might be preventable. You can get familiar with real estate laws to help keep the peace or, if necessary, be ready to take action. 

Verify Where Your Property Lines End

Know and respect your property boundary lines. Many of your rights as a property owner end at your property line.

It’s always a good idea to check if your neighbor’s property is actually theirs. When you or a neighbor moves in, review what the boundary lines are. Depending on the property, you might also need to know how easements and adverse possession work. 

Let your new neighbor know if the boundaries are odd or surprising in some way. A polite conversation could prevent your neighbor from planting trees, building a fence, or trespassing while unaware of the true property line. You can also clarify that one party has permission to use the other’s property for a necessity, such as sharing a driveway. 

Get To Know Your New Neighbors

You don’t have to be best friends with your neighbors to get along. Yet, it’s wise to be aware of a few basic details about them and their property. Even if you don’t own the property as a renter, it’s a good idea to get to know the other residents in a building you share.

Think about how the way you use your property might affect them. What’s the view like from across the street? Can the people in the house behind you hear your son’s band practicing in your garage? 

You can also consider starting a community program, such as a neighborhood watch or an annual block party. Neighbors who are paying attention to what’s happening around them can help prevent crime and neighborhood decline. It’s important to be familiar with your neighbors’ behavior. It’s also important to organize neighborhood groups appropriately.

Building a positive neighbor relationship can pay off later. You might want to seek the support of your neighbors when you want to make a big change. Most zoning boards are amenable to nonconforming uses, imposition, or waiver of zoning laws if the whole neighborhood consents.

Follow the Noise Limits in the Neighborhood

Local ordinances sometimes place restrictions on noise. It’s important to verify your local laws. Homeowners’ associations (HOAs) may also set stricter noise rules in the immediate area.

You could be entitled to demand quiet at certain hours. You’ll need to respect quiet hours for your neighbors, too.

Keep in mind that these rules often extend to animals. For example, say your neighbor raises chickens in a suburban town. Roosters crow outside your bedroom window at four o’clock every morning. This case could be a disruptive animal noise nuisance.

A neighborhood can’t be silent all the time, though. Reasonable noise levels during the day are part of your right to "quiet enjoyment" of your property. If you and your neighbor disagree about loud activities, you can refer to the local noise ordinance or HOA rule. 

Keep Your Yard and Home Exterior Tidy

You are generally entitled to change the appearance of your home and yard, unless you’re subject to HOA regulations. But remember that the law imposes certain limits.

Neighbors might deem your yard full of vehicles an eyesore. Leaving trash on your lawn could blow over onto their side. Old food or unsecured compost bins might attract wildlife. Invasive, overgrown plants could start to creep into their property, forcing them to deal with constant removal. 

In some situations, an unkempt yard could be a legal nuisance. Avoid these disputes by cleaning up debris and taking good care of your property.

Communicate With Neighbors Early

Often, a problem between neighbors doesn’t require legal action. Instead, you and your neighbor can prevent and solve problems through communication and compromise. Open the line of communication soon after the move-in day.

The old saying that it’s "better to ask forgiveness than permission" usually doesn’t apply to neighbor disputes. For example, if you’re thinking about building a fence between your property and your neighbor’s property, start talking about it now. Building the fence only to discover a problem later could cost more time and money in the long run. 

Neighbors who know what’s going on are more likely to be supportive of projects that affect them. They are also more likely to cooperate if problems arise.

Check Your Home Renovation Plans

When you buy a house or own one for a long time, you’ll likely want to renovate it someday. But the home improvement project of your dreams could start a feud if you’re not careful.

Pause before you build, expand, demolish, or remodel your property to check:

• Your title
• Your deed
• Applicable restrictive covenants
• Local zoning ordinances
• State laws

Your neighbors have the right to your compliance with the law. Likewise, if a neighbor repeatedly violates an ordinance and it causes you distress, you could have grounds for suing them.

Build Community and Use Resources in Your Neighborhood

Investigate what your community has to offer. Many private and governmental organizations help communities run smoothly. Such organizations offer anything from legal information to conflict resolution programs to home improvement financing.

When dealing with difficult neighbors, it’s important to check what your community or homeowners association offers. You can also check what other organizations offer.

Be Ready for Possible Neighbor Conflicts

Living in close quarters with other people is bound to introduce some tension. Don’t hurry to file a lawsuit over every little problem.

Disputes don’t always need to escalate or interfere with your enjoyment of your property. It’s always possible to have good relationships with your neighbors. 

Friendly face-to-face interactions can often be the best way to handle things. A good community mediation program might also provide an efficient, economical, and friendly way to resolve conflicts.

Don’t Let Bad Neighbor Behavior Persist

On the other hand, don’t put up with discourteous neighbors. Odds are, if your next-door neighbor’s late-night parties are bothering you, they are bothering your other neighbors, as well.

There are laws, such as zoning laws, that govern noise levels and activities that are allowed or prohibited in your area. Noisy neighbors can be a terrible nuisance. And you shouldn’t have to deal with them.

Sometimes, the best solution is to file a lawsuit. Litigation is typically reserved for the most serious or expensive disputes between neighbors. Going to court can be complicated, but it could be necessary to protect your property, safety, or peaceful enjoyment.

Small claims court can be an easier option. If the problem with your neighbor results in a lawsuit, consider reducing the amount of money you demand. Most small claims courts have a limit on the amount of money at stake in each case. It might be worth your while to lower your demand in exchange for the convenience of having your problem resolved in a small claims court.

Get a Lawyer for Neighbor and Real Estate Issues

While the goal is always to avoid conflicts, don’t hesitate to seek legal advice. Asking a lawyer for help doesn’t necessarily mean you will end up in court or with a huge legal bill. Your lawyer can give you good advice about your rights and responsibilities regarding your neighbors, often preventing problems before they arise.