Most people would agree that having good relationships with our neighbors is essential. After all, they are the people we see and interact with regularly and often the first line of defense in case of an emergency.
But what if you don’t get along with your neighbors? What can you do to improve things, especially if they’re leaving garbage outside? Here are some tips on how to deal with this issue in a non-confrontational way.
Talk to Your Neighbors Directly
The best way to resolve any issue is to talk directly to the person or people involved. This can be difficult, especially if you’re not the most outgoing person, but it’s essential to try.
For example, if you have a specific problem with your neighbor, like they’re leaving garbage outside, approach them in a calm and friendly manner and explain your concerns. It’s possible they didn’t realize they were doing anything wrong, and a simple conversation could be all it takes to resolve the issue.
If you’re uncomfortable approaching your neighbor directly, or if you’ve tried and it didn’t go well, there are other options.
Talk To Your Neighbor’s Parents or Landlord
If your neighbor is a child or teenager, their parents may be unaware of the problem. In this case, you can try talking to their parents or guardians.
If the issue is with a college student who lives in a rented house or apartment, you can speak to their landlord. It’s possible the person responsible for the property is unaware of the problem and would be willing to talk to the tenants about it.
Again, remember to approach the situation calmly and friendly. No one wants to be told they’re doing something wrong, so try to avoid being aggressive.
Write a Note or Send an Email
If you’re still not comfortable talking to your neighbor directly, you can always write a note or send an email, which can be a good option if you don’t feel like you can have a calm conversation or if you’ve tried talking to your neighbor before and it didn’t work.
In the note, explain your concerns and ask politely for the problem to be resolved. You could also include your contact information if they want to talk to you about it.
Be polite and understanding, and try to give your neighbor the benefit of the doubt. They may not realize they’re causing a problem, and a simple note could be all it takes to resolve the issue.
Bring It Up With the Homeowners Association
If you live in an HMO or a community with a homeowners association, you can always discuss the issue with them. They may be able to talk to your neighbor on your behalf, or they may have rules that could help resolve the issue. For example, if your neighbor leaves garbage outside, the homeowners’ association may have a rule prohibiting this.
Of course, you should only involve the homeowners’ association if you’ve already tried to talk to your neighbor about the problem and it didn’t work. Otherwise, you may end up causing more problems than you solve.
Neighbors Leaving Garbage Outside: Conclusion
Good relationships with neighbors are essential, but it’s not always easy. If you don’t get along with your neighbors, try talking to them directly, their parents or landlord, or sending them a note. Of course, if all else fails, you can always involve the homeowners’ association.
Taking a non-confrontational approach makes you more likely to resolve the issue without causing any further problems. You may also be interested in finding out how to keep neighbors weeds out of your yard.