Neighbourly nightmares: One in three Brits face next-door disputes
- New research from Rightmove reveals that over a third of Brits (36%) admit to having had an argument with their neighbour
- Top annoyances are noisy neighbours (78%), parking spot poachers (71%) and curtain twitchers (70%)
- Neighbour behaviours deemed the biggest red flags are asking for your Wi-Fi password (87%) and letting bins overflow (71%)
New research from Rightmove, the UK’s largest property platform, reveals that over a third of Brits have experienced a next-door drama, with 36% admitting to having had an argument with their neighbour.
The top annoyances include noisy nightmares (78%), parking spot poachers (71%) and curtain twitchers (70%).
Neighbour behaviours deemed the biggest red flags are asking for your Wi-Fi password (87%) and letting their bins overflow (71%).
Age and regional differences also paint a vivid picture of community dynamics. Young adults aged 18-34 are particularly sensitive to noisy (82%) and nosy neighbours (73%).
The older generation (55+) are most likely to have next-door disagreements (39%), and those living in the South East are the most hot-headed when it comes to next-door disputes (42%).
Avoiding neighbourhood disagreements is a top priority for six in ten Brits (60%) when it comes to moving home, especially for those living in the East Midlands (69%).
Prospective buyers are taking extra steps to dodge potential problems, including driving by the property at different times of the day to check for issues (59%), expanding their area search (58%), and checking local community groups online for any disputes (43%).
Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, adds, “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.
“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.”
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