Loud footsteps, children’s screams, or a leaf blower on Sunday morning— any seemingly wrong move can result in a complaint from a neighbor. Their dissatisfaction makes perfect sense when it’s valid, but what about the exemplary residents who stick to rules, obey quiet hours, and still face accusations from them?

Back in 2002, Redditor Originaldeadlysin found themselves living near such tenants, who complained about petty and made-up things constantly. The final straw for them was when the neighbor threw a fit over a favor. So they decided to take on petty revenge to teach her some manners.

Any seemingly wrong move has the potential to result in a complaint from a neighbor

Image credits: Carl Tronders (Not the actual photo)

This man even faced dissatisfaction from a neighbor for trying to be helpful

Image credits: Prostock-studio (Not the actual photo)

Image credits: originaldeadlysin

52% of people are frustrated by the nearby residents multiple times a year

Redditor Originaldeadlysin is far from being the only person annoyed by their neighbors. After the insurance company Lemonade surveyed 1,000 Americans, it was found that 52% of people are frustrated by the nearby residents multiple times a year. A staggering 35% of respondents reported being irritated by them monthly. Meanwhile, only 16% are aggravated by their neighbors once a year. 

The main reason for complaining about next-door tenants is noise. In fact, about 1 in 5 homeowners have voiced concerns about their neighbors’ sound levels. However, loud gatherings or parties aren’t the most common culprits. Millennials found loud music or TV the most frustrating, while Gen Z was dissatisfied with kids screaming or crying. Whereas, baby boomers cite barking as the most common source of noise among nearby residents. 

A survey by Waycroft additionally revealed that 45% of neighbors are the loudest in the evening and around 10% in the morning. 24.6% are noisy in the middle of the night, and 20% in the afternoon. 

Evidently, it can be frustrating to put up with a neighbor’s inconsiderate late-night music listening or early morning leaf blowing. Turns out, a lot of people (53%) solved or considered solving this problem by moving. Those who live in apartments reported being even more likely (61%) to relocate because of their neighbors. 

Image credits: Pixabay (Not the actual photo)

“More often than not, a friendly conversation goes a long way”

Home insurance expert Matthew Harwood admitted that dealing with problematic neighbors can be difficult without creating tension or simply moving away. However, he notes that “more often than not, a friendly conversation goes a long way.”

Most neighbors don’t realize that they’re causing issues at all, so that’s why it’s best to have a chit-chat before getting anyone else involved. Try approaching this conversation in a friendly manner—politely and clearly explaining the problem. They’ll be more open to helping a congenial face than a passive-aggressive one. Then ask to swap mobile numbers for open communication so any other misunderstandings don’t arise. In most cases, nearby residents will appreciate that you came to them first. This gives them the chance to do better and saves you time and hassle if it works out. 

“But when that fails, where to turn to next can be confusing,” Harwood says. If nearby residents frequently cause trouble, it might be a good idea to document their ‘offenses.’ It’s enough to simply jot them down, like in this example, “August 29, 2024, dog barking from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.” After enough evidence is gathered and the neighbor isn’t reacting to your concerns, then they can be brought to the landlord, property management, or HOA. 

“Calling the police should only be used as a last resort, but you should also consider getting in touch with your local council,” emphasizes Harwood. “Accidental property damage can also be the cause of neighbour disputes. If your neighbour refuses to accept fault or pay for the damage, you might end up having to make a claim on your home insurance policy.”

Image credits: Jessica Bryant (Not the actual photo)

The author provided more context in the comments

Readers were thrilled about such petty revenge and even suggested additional ways to get back at the neighbors

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