Be the Change
Sometimes, it is easy to become irritated by our neighbors without taking a step back and giving our own behavior a closer look. Before you start accusing your neighbors of being a problem and headache, make sure that you do not contribute to it yourself. Is your noise level deafening? Are your pets a nuisance? Do you keep your property clean and orderly? Do you respect the property of your neighbors? By answering such questions honestly, you can ensure that you are a nice neighbor first.
Get to Know Your Neighbor
It seems actually illogical, but one of the best ways to address a bad neighbor situation is to approach them directly. Do your best to open a line of pleasant communication with your neighbor by learning more about them. Introduce yourself, say hello when you see one another, and try to make your first interactions cheerfully positive. While not all neighbors will respond in the same way, at least you have done your part to establish a relationship. Whenever possible, try to mention the problem behaviors in a civil, non-aggressive manner. There is no guarantee that this will stop the bothersome behavior, however, it will help your neighbor to understand that what they are doing is causing problems for others.
The Golden Rule
If your bad neighbor is always grumbling about things, perhaps the best thing you can do is listen with empathy. While some neighbors may turn out to be nasty or forceful, if you bring up the problem, others may turn around and begin to outright accuse you of doing things they don’t like. It can be tough not to become defensive, but it is much more productive to stay kind and amicable than to “win” the disagreement. If you do what you can to settle your neighbor’s complaints, they may be more likely to do exactly the same for you.
Document Everything
Being friendly does not mean letting your neighbors get away with their unwanted behavior. As you work with your neighbor, it is good to document what is going on with photos, videos, or other similar means. A video or photo of the disliked behavior will act as great evidence if you need to inform your other neighbors, the owner’s association, landlord, attorney, or even the local authorities. If you can, also keep a record of relevant dates, times, and conversations. Retain all phone and text messages and emails, if any. There’s a really good chance that you may never need the video and photos you’ve taken, but it’s important to have everything ready just in case.
Contact the Authorities
If you’ve tried everything else, but your neighbor’s behaviors persist, it might be time to take it to the local authorities. This is especially true if your neighbor threatens you, damages the property, or tries to harm you or someone in your household. Various behaviors can be addressed through the city’s code enforcement department, health department, owner’s association, or animal control. But, certainly, should you detect any illegal activity or things escalate into violence, call the police.
Of course, one of the best ways to get away from a bad neighbor is to move to a new Ventura rental home. Real Property Management Limitless has the perfect home for you if you’re looking to move. Check out our rental listings or contact us online.