"Neighbourly disputes are an inevitable part of community life, but our research highlights just how significantly these everyday annoyances can influence people’s decisions when moving home"
- Colleen Babcock - Rightmove
More than one in three Brits have had a dispute with their neighbours, with everyday frustrations now playing a greater role in home-moving decisions, according to new research from Rightmove.
The survey, conducted by the UK’s largest property platform, found that 36% of respondents admitted to having argued with someone next door. Among the most common grievances were excessive noise, cited by 78% of participants, followed closely by disputes over parking and complaints about intrusive behaviour, such as curtain twitching.
When asked about red flag behaviour, an overwhelming 87% of respondents said a neighbour asking for access to their Wi-Fi would raise concerns. Letting bins overflow also featured prominently, flagged by 71% of those surveyed.
The data also revealed key generational and regional variations in how people view and manage neighbourly relations. Younger adults aged 18 to 34 proved particularly sensitive to noisy and nosey neighbours, with 82% and 73% respectively expressing concern. Older residents, particularly those over 55, were more likely to have experienced a next-door disagreement, with 39% acknowledging some form of dispute. The South East stood out as the most argumentative region, with 42% of respondents admitting to clashes with nearby residents.
Neighbour-related worries are now influencing how people search for their next home. Sixty percent of respondents said avoiding potential disputes was an important factor when deciding where to move. This concern is most pronounced in the East Midlands, where 69% of home movers said it was a key consideration.
In response, many prospective buyers are adapting their search habits. Nearly six in ten said they had visited a property at different times of day to assess local conditions. Others reported widening their search area or reviewing online community forums to identify any signs of tension in the neighbourhood.
Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, said the findings show how everyday issues can play an outsized role in shaping buyer behaviour. “Neighbourly disputes are an inevitable part of community life, but our research highlights just how significantly these everyday annoyances can influence people’s decisions when moving home,” she said. “It’s fascinating to see the lengths Brits will go to avoid these issues, from driving by potential homes at various times of the day to scanning local community groups for any signs of potential problems. With the largest choice of homes on Rightmove, we believe everyone can find a home that ticks all their boxes and doesn’t raise any neighbourhood red flags.”
Mary-Lou Press, President of NAEA Propertymark, comments, “When buying a property, it can be essential to spend time researching and learning more about the immediate area that surrounds it."
“In addition to a comprehensive and physical look around the local vicinity during the day, the weekend, and/or the evening, and it can be helpful to strike up conversations with people, such as surrounding neighbours, if the opportunity arises."
"Online snippets of information might also help you make a better decision too, such as checking the rate of crime in a particular neighbourhood, the performance of schools and health-related services, or even running a car insurance quote to help with your financial planning.
“Should you then feel that the property ticks all boxes for you to move into, joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme also tends to provide extra safety once you settle into your new home. If you do unfortunately happen to encounter any issues, then you should contact the relevant authorities as soon as any incidents occur, as this can help all parties involved more efficiently resolve any disputes."
