Eight Questions to Discuss With New Neighbors Immediately After Moving In

Most of us get along well with our neighbors, sometimes even becoming friends. But even if you’re friendly with the people on your block, your cul-de-sac, or across the hall, you can still run into arguments with them, and those arguments can get nasty.

That’s why it’s a good idea to negotiate immediately after moving to a new place. By addressing potential issues early on, you can avoid awkwardness in the future.

Parking

If you’re like most people in this country, you use your car to get to and from work, buy groceries – and generally do anything outside your immediate area.

If you’re going to rely on street parking, the time to address this issue is now. Find out how many parking spaces are typically available, and how people handle disputes about sloppy parking that eliminates valuable spaces, “saving” spaces with chairs or other items, and those neighbors who seem to think that the space in front of their house is somehow rightfully theirs. Once you know the traditions and existing agreements neighbors have made regarding parking, you can discuss any special needs you may have, such as a large truck that will take up extra space or a family member who needs easy access to the car due to mobility issues.

If your new home has a driveway , you may think you’re safe — until your neighbor parks in your driveway because he assumes you only need access at certain times, or simply because it’s convenient for him. By bringing up the topic and mentioning that you need the driveway clear at all times, you can prevent the moment when you want to go somewhere but first have to find your neighbor to move his car.

Sleep schedules

Not everyone sleeps on the same — or even compatible — schedule. If you work the night shift or have a routine that includes very early mornings or very late evenings, it’s a good idea to let your neighbors know as soon as possible. A little warning that — despite your best efforts — you may be making noise in the wee hours of the morning when you head to work, or that you sleep during the day and would like some peace and quiet, can lead to a healthy conversation and an agreement that will avoid future arguments.

Fencing and trespassing

Whether it’s maintaining a shared fence , a garden that creeps along the official property line, or tree branches that hang over your roof, it’s a good idea to note potential boundary issues as soon as you move in. If nothing else, you’ll know right away whether your neighbor will be reasonable about these matters or whether you need to brace yourself for a fight. And if you’re planning on doing any work on the property that might require an easement or access to your neighbor’s property — even if you don’t plan to start the work for a long time — discussing this access as a general principle can save you trouble when the time comes.

Another boundary issue worth raising: trespassing. It sounds like a scary word, but any time someone crosses your property without explicit permission, it’s trespassing. This includes the neighbor who finds it easier to walk through your yard than go around it, the neighbor’s kids who use your yard as an extension of theirs, and the “helpful” guy who mows your lawn however he likes. It’s your property, and you have every right to let people use it — or not. And the same goes for your neighbor. Talking about what you’re both comfortable with is a great way to keep the peace for as long as you live there.

Pets

Pets bring a lot of joy to people’s lives, but they can be terrible neighbors—living in blissful ignorance of property laws and the rules of polite society. So if you’re bringing a pet into a neighborhood or moving into a place heavily populated by companion animals, negotiating what’s acceptable and what’s not is a must.

This may also include letting your neighbors know important things about your pets. For example, if you have a cat that only lives indoors, you might ask your neighbors to always let you know if they see it outside. Or if your dog gets anxious around strangers, you might warn him not to let children get too close.

Common walls

If you share walls with your neighbors, you may want to go beyond the usual moving-day negotiations and propose a more formal wall agreement . Shared walls can be problematic—damage affects both sides, maintenance must be shared, and what you do on your side of the wall will almost certainly be heard on the other side.

Outdoor lighting

Outdoor lighting in your yard, balcony, or patio can be a delight — unless it’s 3 a.m. and the light is pointed directly at your bedroom window. What neighbors don’t always realize is that outdoor lights are often left on all the time, especially now that so many of them are solar powered. By asking your neighbors about the placement and operation of your outdoor lights, you can politely ask them to turn on a timer or orient the lights so they’re not pointed directly at your home.

CCTV cameras

Security cameras can help you feel safe in your new home, but the best time to discuss privacy issues with your neighbors is right away. Of course, you don’t want to break any laws when installing cameras, and you also don’t want your neighbors to feel like they’re being watched. But not everyone puts thought into how they install security cameras, so it’s worth checking out how your neighbors have handled it so you can politely ask for changes. Working together to discuss what gets caught on camera and what doesn’t will improve your safety because you’ll build trust and common ground with your neighbors, and avoid awkward moments.

Renovations

If you bought a new home with the intention of doing a major renovation, you know that you will be the most hated person in your neighborhood almost from the moment the chaos begins . Anticipating and discussing aspects of the renovation is a very good idea. If your neighbors understand the scope of the project, they will be much less likely to complain and throw up obstacles. Some aspects of the renovation that you should discuss in advance include:

• Contractors’ parking needs (especially if they will be taking up multiple spaces or blocking roads and access roads)

• Noise and schedules – Your neighbors may have important events, such as work meetings or interviews, and would benefit from a break from the endless hammering and sawing.

• Access to property, especially if you have areas on your property that can only be accessed through a neighbor’s property.

You should also ask your neighbors if they have any special concerns. For example, if you are going to demolish your yard, a neighbor may be worried about their trees or plantings being affected. Discussing how you will protect these areas in advance will make things go much more smoothly.

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