What makes a good neighbour? Part 2

A good neighbour is worth their weight in gold these days. But what qualities should the person living next door have for your relationship with them to be considered civil, or even cordial? And are you yourself a good neighbour? Find out by reading today's article.

Say no to nosiness

Nobody likes it when a stranger interferes in our lives. We should also make sure we do not do it ourselves. So refrain from peering into your neighbours' windows, and certainly do not gossip about them with other residents of the building. It is also out of place to ask them about their private lives, for example in the lift. If other residents want to share their private stories with us, it should come about naturally. Pestering them is unacceptable. You never know what type of person you are dealing with. Some value their privacy so much that they prefer to keep their neighbours at a distance, limiting themselves to a polite exchange of words on the staircase. Others even form friendly relationships with their neighbours. Both approaches should be respected.

Look out for your neighbours

On the one hand you should not be nosy, but on the other it is worth discreetly watching what goes on in the stairwell, especially if it happens at unusual times. It is worth reacting when we see someone suspicious hanging around outside a neighbour's door or, worse, when shouting and screaming can be heard coming from a flat. In such a situation, there is reason to suspect that someone is being harmed. We are not urging you to intervene yourself, because you could put yourself in danger, but it may be worth notifying the police or the municipal guard.

The other side of the coin of neighbourly concern is helping one another. If a neighbour asks you to look after their flat while they are away or to feed their pet, it is good to do so. You never know when you will need such help yourself.

Respect the common areas

When living in a block of flats, you cannot avoid the issue of common areas. They need to be looked after too. It is best if you agree with your neighbours and draw up a cleaning rota for the stairwell. That way the common area will always be well kept. Remember, too, that it includes not only the stairwell itself but also, for example, the playground in front of the building, the car park or the green square. There too it is worth observing generally accepted standards of courtesy and keeping things tidy. That way life will be more pleasant for everyone.

Treat your neighbour the way you would like to be treated

This principle can be read between the lines of the rules listed above. In fact, everything comes down to it. If every resident of a property followed it, all residents would surely have the best neighbours in the world. So do not think only of yourself. When taking actions that may affect other residents of the building, always keep their welfare and comfort in mind. And if you know that certain activities may be a nuisance to them, such as renovation work or a noisy party, let them know in advance. You will see that with this approach you can get along with almost anyone.

If, however, you have ever ended up with unpleasant neighbours and are now very sensitive about this, and you are looking for a new flat, use the services of a professional estate agent – Marta Kulawik. She will do everything she can to make sure your new property is in a block where friendly, understanding and kindly disposed people live.