1 in 5 Brits have been involved in a dispute with neighbours

According to a new report from Co-op Insurance, one in five of us have been involved in a neighbour dispute - almost half (46%) of which are still unresolved.

Related topics:  Property
Warren Lewis
26th October 2016
Black Houses

‘A portrait of the modern British community’ provides a striking snapshot into neighbourliness and the changing shape of communities in 2016.

Of those who have experienced nuisance neighbours, excessive noise was by far the biggest single cause of residential issues nationally, with over two fifths of Brits (41%)experiencing noise related issues, including stomping around the house, loud arguments and late night parties. Nearly one in four (22%) have suffered rude or abusive neighbours and a further 21% have had problems with barking dogs or wars over parking (19%).

Regionally, London and Birmingham has by far the highest number of neighbour issues, with a quarter (25%) of those questioned saying they have encountered some form of nuisance neighbour during the past year. The most harmonious place in Britain is Milton Keynes, with only 7% of those asked recording a dispute with their neighbour, compared with the national average of 20% - perhaps a legacy of its new town status.

The research shows Brits’ ideal neighbour would behave respectfully at all times and is the top trait that characterises a good neighbour (77%), followed by being tolerant and understanding of other residents’ needs (75%).

With 99% of the population having neighbours, you’re almost sure to always find someone living next door, however nearly one in twenty (4%) Brits go a month without ever seeing their neighbour, whilst for 12% of Brits they wouldn’t even know who their neighbours were if they bumped into them on their street.

Gone are the days when neighbours would have homely conversations over the garden fence or nip round for a brew and a natter, as only one in five Brits (19%) have been invited round for a cup of tea. Surprisingly it’s men who are most likely to have visited a neighbour’s house, with over two-thirds (68%) admitting to stepping foot inside their neighbours home, in comparison to 65% of females.

A generation gap is also apparent as half of under 35s have never set foot inside a neighbour’s house, in comparison to four out of five (77%) of over 55s who have.  

We are of course a nation famed for our politeness but could our ‘British reserve’ actually be putting that polite reputation on the line? It would seem so, as less than 30%, of Brits would go round and introduce themselves to new neighbours, with nearly half (48%) preferring to just bump into them, while one in six (16%) would do nothing and almost one in twenty (3%) would just ignore them completely. Although over 75s are more than twice as likely (48%) to introduce themselves compared to under 35-year-olds (20%).

Top neighbour disputes

1

Excessive noise

41%

2

Rudeness or abuse

22%

3

Barking dogs

21%

4

Parking wars

19%

5

Nosey neighbours

18%

6

Unruly kids

15%

7 =

Boundary disputes

12%

7 =

Gossipy neighbours

12%

8

Messy gardens which blight the community

11%

9

Roaming pets

7%

10

Not keeping shared facilities maintained

6%

James Hillon, Director of Products at Co-op Insurance: “The research shows as a nation we’re at risk of losing the community spirit we once prided ourselves on. Strengthening our communities whilst making them safer places to live is firmly at the heart of the Co-op. Communities arevaluable as they allow people to interact with each other, share experiences and develop valued relationships,Without communities we’re in danger of living isolated lives.

However, as our lives, both in and away from the home, become ever busier and we spend more time engaged with technology – TV, the internet and social media, its seems we are becoming ever-more distant from our closest neighbours.  As a nation we need come together, lose the British stiff upper lip and engage with our neighbours, who in time may become friends.”

Television producer Phil Redmond said: “When creating Brookside, Hollyoaks and Grange Hill each had at its heart a sense of shared community, with Brookside, in particular, concentrating on how society was changing from the cosy 'coo-ee it's only me' world of neighbours popping into each other's houses for cups of sugar, as depicted by Corrie or Emmerdale.

Life has continued to change and that cosy world has long gone, but unfortunately our soaps still seem to portray an outdated notion of neighbourhood life, as the Co-op Insurance research suggests British people are becoming increasingly isolated from their local communities, as more than half of the nation say they do not feel a part of a community.”

Lynn Farrar, Chair of Neighbourhood Watch, said: “Our communities are changing as people lead busier lives, but people still care about the places they live. Everyone wants to live in a safe, friendly area and it starts with each one of us. Being a good neighbour is the first step in having good neighbours. Joining Neighbourhood Watch is one way you can contribute to keeping your neighbourhood a safe and good place to live.

We’re delighted to have the support of the Co-op, as we work together to make the Neighbourhood Watch movement more relevant in today’s society.”

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