Neighbours are a reality for anyone who lives in an apartment complex. And whether it's the stompy guy upstairs, the hallway fried smell, or the the yappy dog next door, neighbours can mean the difference between a happy home and torture. Change starts with you. Are you a good neighbour? Your habits might suggest otherwise. To help you identify, reduce, and deal with your bad neighbour-habits, the team at BentallGreenOak Residential Services has curated a list of the top 5 things to keep in mind for respectful apartment living.
The Hours You Keep
Whether you're an early riser or a night owl, your schedule may be bothering your neighbours. While making a normal amount of noise either early or late in the day is unavoidable, be aware that not everyone is like you. If you're up early, don't stomp or play loud music. If you're an FPS addict, don't yell at opponents or manhandle your joystick. Find out more.
Noise
Many things you do unconsciously on a daily basis could be creating unbearable noise for your neighbours. Stomping could be the worst, especially when it's early morning and late at night. Playing loud music is pretty obnoxious, especially early in the morning and late at night. Using loud appliances early in the morning is also a nuisance, like blenders and coffee grinders. This noise can be a pain for next door neighbours if your walls are thin. If you want to be considerate of the people around you, keep the noise down after 11pm, on any night. Weekends are obviously more flexible, but think twice. Learn more here.
Odours
Cooking smells tend to infiltrate apartment building hallways. It doesn't matter if you're a superb chef, fish still smells like fish to passersby. Turn on your hood fan when cooking to help fight the power of the odours you're creating. Garbage is another odour causing thing you may be overlooking. Don't leave your garbage lingering in the hallway, and be considerate by putting it where it belongs, in the waste receptacles for your building.
Hallway Clutter
Even in condo buildings, hallway space is public space. Shoe mats, door knockers, and wreaths are fine (depending on the building), but keep in mind (especially in rentals) that you don't own the hall. It's not for storage, your 10 pairs of Adidas shoes, an Italian road bike, or your garbage. Be considerate, don't clutter.
Loud Pets, Dirty Pets, Everywhere Pets
Your cats are adorable but you're the only one who thinks it's ok that they explore the public hallways of your building. If you have a dog, it's probably on the small side since you live in an apartment. Small dogs are known for obnoxious barking. Don't let your dog bark out of control, or leave them home alone for long stretches. Your neighbours will thank you. Find out more.
We hope this list helps you be aware of your bad habits that could be driving your neighbours up the wall, and hope you take steps to remedy them. For more information about BentallGreenOak properties in your city, please visit our website.