Eight Issues to Negotiate With Your New Neighbors As Soon As You Move In

Most of us get along just fine with our neighbors—sometimes we even become friends. But even if you’re friendly with the people on your block, in your cul de sac, or across the hall, you can still run into disputes with them, and those disputes can turn ugly.

That’s why it’s a good idea to do some negotiating the moment you move into your new place. By addressing potential issues right away, you can avoid any future awkwardness.

Parking

Iif you’re like most people in this country, you rely on your vehicle to get to and from work, to buy groceries—to do almost anything outside of your immediate area.

If you’re going to be relying on street parking, the time to address that need is immediately. Find out how much parking is generally available, and how people approach disputes over sloppy parking that eliminates valuable spaces, "saving" spots with chairs or other items, and those neighbors who seem to think the spot in front of their house is somehow theirs by right. Once you know the traditions and the existing treaties that neighbors have negotiated around parking, you can broach any special needs you might have, like a large truck that’s going to eat up extra space, or a family member who needs easy access to the vehicle due to mobility issues.

If your new home comes with a driveway, you might think you’re in the clear—until a neighbor parks in your driveway because they assume you only need to access it at certain times, or just because it suits them. Bringing up the subject and noting that you need the driveway clear at all times can prevent that moment when you want to drive somewhere but first have to hunt down a neighbor to get their car moved.

Sleep schedules

Not everyone sleeps on the same—or even compatible—schedules. If you work night shifts, or have a routine that includes very early mornings or very late nights, it’s a good idea to let your neighbors know as soon as possible. A little warning that—despite your best efforts—you might make some noise in the wee hours when you go to work, or that you sleep during the day and would appreciate some peace and quiet, can lead to a healthy conversation and an arrangement that avoids future arguments.

Fencing and trespassing

Whether it’s the maintenance of a shared fence, a garden that creeps over the official property line, or tree branches that overhang 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 is going to be reasonable about these issues or if you need to prepare for battle. And if you plan to have any work done to the property that might require an easement or access to your neighbor’s property—even if you don’t plan to start work for a long time—negotiating that access as a general principle can save you trouble when the time comes.

Another boundary issue that’s worth raising: trespassing. The word sounds dire, but any time someone traverses your property without explicit permission, it’s trespassing. That includes the neighbor who finds it easier to cut through your yard than to go around, the neighbor’s kids who use your yard as an extension of theirs, or the "helpful" guy who mows your lawn the way he likes it. It’s your property, and you have every right to allow folks to use it—or not. And the same goes for your neighbor. Having a conversation 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—they live their lives blissfully ignorant of property law and the rules of polite society. So if you’re bringing a pet into the neighborhood or moving into a spot heavily populated by animal companions, negotiating what’s okay and what’s not okay is a must.

This can also include letting your neighbors know important things about your pets. For example, if you have an inside-only cat, you can ask your neighbor to always let you know if they see it outdoors. Or if your dog has anxiety around strangers, you can warn them not to let their kids get too close.

Shared walls

If you share walls with your neighbors, you might want to go beyond a casual negotiation on moving day and suggest a more formal party wall agreement. Shared walls can be problematic—damage affects both parties, maintenance should be shared, and what you do on your side of the wall will almost certainly be audible on the other side.

Outdoor lights

Outdoor lights in a yard or on a balcony or deck can be delightful—unless it’s three in the morning and the lights are aimed directly into your bedroom window. Neighbors don’t always think about the fact that outdoor lights are often left on all the time, especially now that so many are solar-powered. Asking your neighbors about the placement and operation of your outdoor lights offers the chance to then politely request that your neighbors put their lights on a timer, or orient them so they’re not aimed directly at your house.

Security cameras

Security cameras can help you feel safe in your new home—but the best time to negotiate privacy issues with your neighbors is right away. You don’t want to break any laws when setting up your cameras, of course, and you also have no interest in making your neighbors feel like they’re being watched. But not everyone thinks carefully about how they arrange security cameras, so it’s worth checking out how your neighbors have handled this so you can politely ask for adjustments. Working together to negotiate what is and isn’t on camera will enhance your security—because you’ll have built trust and shared interests with your neighbors—and avoid awkward moments.

Renovations

If you bought your new place with the intention of doing a gut renovation, you know you’ll be the most hated person in your neighborhood pretty much the moment the chaos begins. Anticipating and negotiating aspects of the renovation is a very good idea. If your neighbors understand the scope of the project, they’ll be much less likely to complain and throw up roadblocks. Some aspects of a renovation that you should discuss ahead of time include:

• Contractor parking needs (especially if they’re going to be eating up multiple spaces, or blocking roads and driveways)

• Noise and schedules—your neighbors may have important events coming up, like work meetings or interviews, that would benefit from a break in the endless hammering and sawing

• Property access, especially if there are areas of your property that can only be accessed via a neighbor’s property

You should also ask your neighbors if they have specific concerns. For example, if you’re going to be tearing up your yard, a neighbor might worry about their trees or plantings being affected. Negotiating how you’ll safeguard those areas ahead of time will make everything go a lot more smoothly.