Neighborhood disputes are stressful and can develop into outright wars. But there are a few ways you can ensure early on that arguments don’t even occur.
Living with neighbors can be a challenge. There are many possibilities for conflict that can make living together difficult. On the other hand, good neighborly relationships can be very valuable. There are some basic etiquette rules that can help reduce the potential for conflict.
Communication is the be-all and end-all
As in other areas of life, good communication is the be-all and end-all. A friendly and respectful attitude is a fundamental requirement. Open and constructive communication can also help solve potential problems. The boundaries of your own property should be respected and unnecessary nuisance to neighbors should be avoided. This includes, for example, mowing the lawn on Sundays and public holidays, which, according to the Haus und Grund owners’ association, should generally be avoided. In general, loud activities should also be avoided late in the evening or early in the morning. If things get louder, for example at birthday parties or similar celebratory occasions, the neighborhood should be informed and, if necessary, invited.
As soon as the weather gets nicer, the grilling season begins. This can often lead to odors and smoke. In order to avoid annoying a neighbor, you should clarify in advance with the municipality and neighborhood what exact regulations apply. Sometimes the relevant requirements are already in the rental agreement, but the laws are usually regulated at the state level.
Noise pollution is the most common point of contention
According to a Forsa survey commissioned by the insurance company Gothaer, which was carried out in 2017 with over 1,000 people in Germany, noise pollution is the most common cause of disputes at 74 percent. In second place are illegally parked cars at 53 percent. Failure to comply with neighborhood obligations comes third at 52 percent. Disruptive pets also regularly cause arguments and are in fifth place at 48 percent. Blocked stairwells were the cause of arguments for 40 percent of those surveyed.
Overall, 46 percent of those surveyed said they had ever been involved in a neighbor dispute. Northern Germans are particularly argumentative and, at 54 percent, are well ahead of other German regions. In the eastern German states, people apparently pay more attention to one another; here only 41 percent reported that they had ever been involved in a neighbor dispute.
Editorial team finanzen.net