As fabulous as apartment living is, it’s important to be considerate to those who live around you. You don’t want to find yourself in a living situation that is similar to the infamous, unpleasant neighbour in Friends, Mr Heckles.
We’ve come up with our top etiquette tips for being the perfect apartment neighbour.
Turn it down
As much as karaoke nights are a blast, it’s not something that your neighbours will find entertaining, especially at late hours of the night. Keep in mind that apartment walls are frequently quite thin. So, make sure your volume levels are reasonable and respectful for your neighbours, whether it be when you are entertaining, listening to music, or your children are playing.
Greet your neighbours when you see them
Often, part of being a good neighbour is as simple as a smile and a ‘Hello!’ An easy smile or wave can brighten up someone’s day and create a positive relationship. You never know, perhaps saying ‘Hi’ each time you pass one of your neighbours could lead to a lasting friendship!
Keep the inside and outside of your apartment clean
No one wants to live next door to an individual known for constantly leaving their living spaces and surrounding areas messy. Make efforts to ensure the area around your front door is tidy, removing clutter such as shoes or rubbish. This extends to the interior of your apartment as well. If you find yourself with a pest issue, such as mice, be sure to inform your neighbours, as it may impact them in the future.
Respect community spaces
Plenty of apartment complexes have community spaces for residents to use. From laundry mats to community lounges, it’s important that you respect these spaces. Clean up after yourself, don’t hog the dryers and don’t leave your trash lying around!
Follow your apartment community’s rules
It’s likely your apartment complex has a set of rules, by-laws, for residents to follow, and you must respect these rules. These have been put in place to create a safe, friendly and respectful community so that everyone can live in harmony. By ensuring you follow the rules, you are contributing to creating a positive living space for all.
Park it respectfully
Being a good neighbour extends further than the apartment building. Car park etiquette is an essential part of being a good neighbour. If you have a reserved car park, ensure you park there instead of guest parking, or another resident’s spot. The same goes for your guests! Ensure they only park in the correct guest spaces.
Also, make sure that you drive at a safe speed and keep your volume to a respectable level. Children tend to think of car parks as one big urban backyard, so it’s important to keep this in mind when driving. You might think you have a brilliant taste in music, but your neighbours might not agree, so be sure to keep your radio’s volume at a respectful level when entering the car park.
By following these tips, you can prop yourself up to be the best apartment neighbour possible! For any assistance managing your strata properties, contact More Than Strata today.
