Annoying neighbors can make your life difficult. They don’t seem to care about other people when it comes to noise, space, taking care of shared property and more! Wouldn’t it be nice to teach them to be a good neighbors?

Yet, before you go trying to teach your neighbors to be good, ask yourself if you've been a good neighbor lately. Are there any changes you would like to make? Here are 4 ways to be a better neighbor that doesn't require you to bake a pie or cost you a penny.

Keep It Down

There are several different ways that you can upset your neighbors just by being loud. This includes having a loud party, talking with increased volume on the patio, stomping up and down stairs or slamming the door when going in and out. If you have pets, make sure that they are trained not to bark, whimper or claw unnecessarily. A general rule of thumb is to keep volume down on everything during the hours of 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. including your television, vacuum and other things that have sound that can travel through walls and floors.

Be Mindful of Parking

Nowadays, it's common to have covered parking spots designated to each apartment instead of a first come, first serve basis. Leaving the question of "who gets the parking spot" to be left up for negotiation between roommates. Don't park in other people's parking spots that aren't designated to your apartment, it isn't kind. 

Unless stated differently, the parking spots that aren't cover are usually a first come, first serve basis. It's a much better plan to park in a random parking spot that no one is assigned and walk a little farther than park in someone else's spot. If you have a vehicle that you don’t drive that often, and there is limited parking near your side of the complex, then be courteous to others and move your car to a place where space isn’t limited.

Laundry Rooms

If you live in a complex that has on-site laundry, you must follow the rules that the complex gives in order for it to stay in working order. These rules include not touching other people’s clothes, cleaning up a mess that you have made, etc. Do not smoke while in the room, the smoke can make contact with other people’s clothes and can make them smell like cigarettes. This may not seem like a big deal, but for people who do not smoke, it is disrespectful to make their clothes smell especially if they have a sensitive sense of smell.

Talk to Your Neighbors

It is always nice to have good relationships with your neighbors, or at the very least civil ones. Say hello to them in passing, introduce your dog to them, or help them with the groceries. If you know your neighbors and what their common behaviors are, you will be able to detect any suspicious behavior and to act accordingly. How do you know if somebody is stealing your neighbor’s television when you don’t even know what your neighbor looks like?

All in all, be the neighbor that you would want to have. Think before you act, talk to your neighbor in passing, follow the rules and always be observant. Want to live in a place where the complex values neighbor relationships? Start your search for apartments in Chico, Redding, or Sacramento area today!