Your Gray rental house, a place where you find peace and rest can become a source of stress if you have problematic neighbors. Sometimes you wish these bad neighbors could just disappear, but there are more realistic ways to deal with them. Here are a few suggestions to create a positive environment by winning over your nightmare neighbor.
Be the Change
It is easy to look at the shortcomings of our neighbors rather than looking at our own behavior first. It would be nice of you to check if you have caused any problems rather than accusing your neighbors outright. Are you aware of your noise level? Are your pets bothering the neighbors? How much effort do you make to keep your property clean and tidy? Do you value giving respect to your neighbor’s property? By addressing these questions first, you are being proactive and you are half-way done.
Get to Know Your Neighbor
You may feel awkward approaching them first but this could easily solve a bad neighbor situation. Be interested in your neighbor as a person through friendly communication. When you first meet your neighbor, be sure to introduce yourself first, be friendly, and leave a positive impression. Not all neighbors will respond to you in a friendly way, don’t be discouraged, our goal is to establish a relationship. Whenever you think you’re ready, bring up the problem behaviors in a polite, non-confrontational way. Although this does not guarantee that your neighbor will also see it your way, it will inform him that his bad behavior is causing problems for others.
The Golden Rule
If your bad neighbor finds a lot of things to complain about, perhaps she needs an ear who could listen.No matter how friendly you are, sometimes neighbors still become hostile and aggressive. Your first impulse is to give counter-arguments but it is better to not lose your cool and instead remain friendly and accommodating. Show your neighbor that you care by tackling your neighbor’s complaints, and they might just do the same for you.
Document Everything
Extending friendship to your neighbors does not mean that they can continue with their bad behavior. As you work with your neighbor, it is good to document what is going on with photos, videos, or other means. A video or photo of the problem behavior will provide much better evidence if you need to inform your other neighbors, the owner’s association, landlord, attorney, or even the local authorities. If possible, also keep a record of relevant dates, times, and conversations. Keep all phone records, text messages, and emails, if any. Let’s hope that you may never have to use these videos and photos but it pays to be ready for the unexpected.
Contact the Authorities
If your neighbor’s behaviors are still causing you a lot of trouble no matter how hard you tried, it may be time to involve the local authorities. This is a must if your neighbor threatens you, damages the property, or tries to harm you or someone in your household. Some behaviors can be coursed through the city’s code enforcement department, health department, owner’s association, or animal control. But in cases involving violence or illegal activity, the police must be informed at once.
If your neighbor still refuses all the love you’ve offered, it might be best for you to move to a new Gray rental home. Real Property Management Vesta has the perfect home for you if you’re looking to move. Check out our rental listings or contact us online.
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