Apartment life, by definition, means you’re living in close quarters — literally on top of one another in most instances. Needless to say, getting along with your neighbors is a must. Here are six things you can do to promote harmony.
- Get to know your neighbors. It’s much easier to get along with neighbors you’ve gotten to know. Friends tend to be considerate of one another. And who knows when you might need a pet or plant sitter!
- Be a good neighbor. The most fundamental part of having good relationships with your neighbors is to be a good neighbor yourself. The foremost qualities of a good neighbor are to be considerate and reasonable. The Golden Rule is your guide: Treat others the way you would want to be treated. A great example: Don’t take another tenant’s marked parking spot.
- Quiet time. Keeping noise levels down is a major concern. Sound transmits through the air and through vibrations on floors and walls. Avoid raised voices, loud music, hard bumps on the floor and heavy footsteps. Plush area rugs go a long way toward muffling footsteps. Be especially mindful in the late evening and overnight. If you have a dog that barks a lot, invest in training to remedy it.
- The whiff test. Avoid strong odors from cooking by using ventilation fans. Bathe pets regularly and refrain from smoking nearby. Take trash out regularly.
- Guard your privacy. Keep blinds and other window treatments drawn when you need privacy, and be aware of other neighbors who don’t think to shield their privacy. Draw your shades so that you don’t have to see them.
- Use diplomacy. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, conflict arises. A neighbor’s party is loud and late, or they aren’t as tidy as they should be. How should you respond?
Though it may be uncomfortable, speaking directly to the offending neighbors is best. If you have gotten to know them, it makes it easier than if you are strangers. Keep calm, explain the situation and ask them to do what is needed. Contact the apartment management only as a last resort.
