đźš© Top 5 Neighbour Red Flags

đźš© Top 5 Neighbour Red Flags

Moving home should feel exciting – a new street, a fresh start, maybe even a better takeaway around the corner. But sometimes, the dream can unravel when the neighbours aren’t quite what you hoped for.

We’ve all seen it: the jungle-like garden next door, the dog that never stops barking, or the DIY enthusiast who thinks midnight is prime hammer time.

Whether you rent or own, who lives next door shapes your day-to-day life. And unlike a dodgy paint colour, neighbours aren’t easy to change. So, what really gets under our skin? We asked members of our Living Room research panel to reveal the neighbourly habits that raise the biggest red flags 👀.


1. The Wifi Borrowers đź“¶

A huge 87% said neighbours asking for their wifi password is a hard no. It’s not just cheeky – it can slow your connection to a crawl. One minute you’re mid-Bake Off, the next you’re stuck buffering ⏳.


2. The Bin Offenders 🗑️

Overflowing bins spilling into the street? Seven in ten say it’s a major red flag. Messy, unhygienic, pest-attracting – what’s not to hate? In fact, 69% of people added that neighbours’ pets causing problems is another top irritation.


3. The Parking Pinchers đźš—

More than half (51%) said they’d be unhappy if a neighbour nabbed their parking spot. And it doesn’t stop there – 71% get annoyed at people parking outside their homes, while 70% dislike non-residents using their street. Parking politics are real.


4. The Window Watchers đź‘“

Four in ten feel uneasy when neighbours watch them leave the house. It’s nosy, it’s awkward – and 70% of us say nosy neighbours are a serious issue. Curtain twitching? Definite red flag.


5. The Pop-Ins 🚪

A surprise knock for a cuppa might sound quaint, but 38% say it crosses the line. Peace and quiet matter – and unexpected visits can quickly throw off your home’s calm.


How Movers Are Spotting the Signs 🏡

The nightmare scenario? A neighbour who ticks every box: wifi borrowing, bin overflowing, parking pinching, window watching, and popping in uninvited.

Noise complaints top the list of common issues (57%), followed by parking (28%), pets (26%) and overhanging greenery (24%). No wonder six in ten movers say avoiding neighbour disputes is a top priority – a figure that rises to 69% in the East Midlands.

So how are people dodging the drama?
59% drive by potential new areas at different times to check the vibe
43% check local community groups for disputes đź’¬
58% are open to moving further afield if it means better neighbours 🌳

✨ Moving into a new place is exciting – but keeping an eye out for these red flags could save you from neighbour nightmares down the line.

All of the information we have spoken about has collected and reported by Rightmove.


If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to reach out—we’re here and ready to help.

đź’¬ Gregg đź’Ľ
📞 Phone: 01474 321957
đź“§ Email: Gregg@mandmprop.co.uk


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