Neighbourliness

No one wants their neighbour to do renovation works. We get it. Here’s a compilation of our top tips to being a good neighbour during your renovation works and what to do when things turn sour. 

Speak to your neighbours well before works start 

• Be clear about your goals and acknowledge their concerns. Where possible consider how you can relieve these concerns, but be careful to not agree to solutions before discussing with your builder/ designer/ Project manager  

  • i.e. you could ask builders to not make loud noise at a set time for 2 hours each day but this would significantly affect the timeline and probably cost. Check you know the implications and are happy to agree to changes before confirming with neighbours. 

• Planning: make sure you have planning permission where required and consider getting a certificate of lawfulness for any works which fall under permitted development (this is a certificate confirming that the works do fall under permitted development and therefore don’t require planning permission). This can be useful to share with neighbours should they enquire about the works and demonstrates you are undertaking work properly and in accordance with the law. Most neighbours should find this reassuring.  

  • Where permission is needed, arrange to speak to neighbours before you apply to explain the plans clearly. Where necessary or possible make amendments which might make them more amenable/ supportive of your plans provided these don’t compromise your design goals. 

• If you’re undertaking any work to the Party Walls then you will need to get Party Wall Consent from the neighbours. More on this here. Start this process as early as possible to avoid delays or falling out with neighbours who could slow this process down. 

• Let your neighbour know when work is due to start, agree any access and practical arrangements as necessary with them (ideally in writing) and if necessary either introduce them to the builder or provide contact details for emergencies. 

During the works 

• Completion dates: it is better in our experience to under promise and overdeliver! Delays could occur and neighbours can’t tell the difference between drilling during main works and drilling during snagging! 

• Speak highly of those you’re working with: (of course we’d say this but…) neighbours are more likely to feel positive/ reassured if you are positive about the works and those doing it. 

• Don’t overshare: be open and honest where necessary but keep the particulars to yourself. With neighbours less is more- the less excess information you give- the less there is to fret about. 

  • It might be tempting to empathise with neighbours by also complaining about the works from your POV. In our experience this never ends well as it can enthuse neighbours to agree and complain more or they may feel like you’re competing with their frustrations. 

• Remember it is usually better to keep neighbours on side (after all you have to live next to them once the work is completed) but you don’t have to go to unreasonable lengths to placate them. Most people will undertake renovations at some point and ‘neighbourliness’ works both ways. 

If things turn sour 

• Keep a record of ALL communication (do this throughout the works even if you have a positive relationship with your neighbour). Write up any in person interactions immediately following the discourse and send a copy (if useful/ necessary) to the neighbour or to any witnesses to confirm accurate. 

• Attempt to resolve where this can be done positively, safely and reasonably.  

• Where useful ask a neutral person or professional to assist with any discussions/ communication with the neighbour. 

• Set boundaries: For example if you share contact details with a neighbour then make it clear when and for what these can be used and stick to the boundaries you set.  

  • The party wall act is a good lesson in this- neighbours can have some (reasonable) control over works to the party wall but not to other works within your property. Ensure your Party Wall Surveyor is clear what is covered by the agreement and what is not. 

• Do not reply/ respond immediately. The best way to calm tensions is to consider before responding. If necessary, write a draft response and either review it the next day or have someone else neutral/ professional check it before sending. 

• If the neighbour is acting dangerously then notify the authorities (police/ council etc)/ get an appropriate solicitor involved and ensure anyone involved in the project is aware so they can continue works safely (tell the builders to not engage directly with the neighbour).  

  • Ensure the site is kept safe and secure throughout works and that all regulations are being adhered to. 

• Take the high road. This one is hard when someone is being actively difficult. Remember everyone is doing their best with the information/ ability/ life they have. It is better to be compassionate, or at the very least professional (always conduct yourself as if your mother or boss was watching). It will be easier in the future to live next to difficult neighbours if you’ve done your best to act calmly and fairly. Remember they might undertake renovation work too one day…!