The UK’s Top Neighbours
In the UK, the phrase ‘love thy neighbour’ is widely known, yet is not always the reality. From loud parties to invasive garden plants, various nuisances can stir hostility between neighbours and spark disagreements. But what are the most common neighbour complaints, and where in the UK can the best (and worst) neighbours be found?
Our latest survey delves into the most common neighbour-related complaints, identifying which areas of the UK have the best and worst neighbours, and revealing how many people have moved house due to conflicts with those living next door. Our mortgage team also shared expert tips on things to look out for from potential neighbours when moving house, and what to do if you have a neighbour-related complaint.
The most common neighbour complaints
| Rank | City | Percentage of people who have complained about this |
| 1 | Loud parties | 23% |
| 2 | Music | 20% |
| 2= | Barking dogs | 20% |
| 2= | Shouting or loud conversations | 20% |
| 3 | Blocking driveways | 17% |
| 4 | Noisy children | 15% |
| 4= | Leaving rubbish in front gardens/outside the property or overflowing bins | 15% |
| 5 | Neighbours arguing | 14% |
| 6 | Hogging parking spaces | 13% |
| 6= | Overhanging trees/ greenery | 13% |
| 7 | Neglected gardens | 12% |
| 7= | Not cleaning up after pets | 12% |
| 7= | Smoking | 12% |
| 8 | Revving car engines early in the morning or late at night | 10% |
| 8= | Suspicious activities | 10% |
| 8= | Smells from neglected rubbish | 10% |
| 8= | Parking in prohibited areas | 10% |
| 9 | Untidy house exteriors | 9% |
| 9= | Ongoing construction/DIY | 9% |
| 9= | Issues over property lines | 9% |
| 9= | Children playing out in the street | 9% |
| 10 | Excessive outdoor light at night | 6% |
1. Loud parties
Our survey revealed that noise levels top the list, with loud parties hosted by neighbours being the most common complaint. Nearly a quarter (23%) of UK residents have complained about a noisy next-door gathering. This is also the most common annoyance among Millennials (23%), Generation X (22%) and Baby Boomers (28%).
In Scotland, loud parties affect 28% of residents, and is also the leading complaint in residents living in Greater London, with 21% of residents expressing concern over this issue.
2. Music
We all love playing a bit of music now and again, but it seems that some of us need to watch the volume. For some UK residents, this has become a real issue, causing them to go as far as to complain about the noise level. Around a fifth (20%) of residents have protested against hearing their neighbours playing music, making this the second most frequent complaint.
3. Barking dogs
The sound of barking dogs is another major annoyance, with 20% of all respondents reporting this issue. This is also the most common complaint in Northern Ireland, with barking complained about by 25% of residents.
4. Shouting or loud conversations
Shouting or loud conversations comes next, with 20% of UK residents saying they’ve complained about this.
Who reports their neighbours the most?
So, now we know what nuisances residents in the UK are complaining about, let’s look into which of us is the most likely to take action.
It turns out that 36% of us have reported neighbours, whether that’s through contacting the local council, the neighbourhood watch or even the police.
Those aged 16-24 are the most likely to report their neighbours, with over half (55%) saying they have done so. In contrast, only 19% of those aged 55 and over have reported their neighbours, the lowest rate of any age group. This could be due to younger individuals being more accustomed to addressing issues directly or having less tolerance for disruptive behaviour, while those aged 55 and over may be more inclined to resolve conflicts privately or prefer to avoid confrontation altogether.
But which area of the UK has the best, and the worst, neighbours of all?
The best and worst neighbours in the UK
We discovered the UK's best and worst neighbours by examining the percentage of people in each city who have reported their neighbours at some point. A higher number of reports indicates more problematic neighbour-related behaviour, such as loud noises or property disputes, which in turn negatively affects residents' quality of life.
| The 10 UK Locations with the Best Neighbours |
||
| Rank | Location | Percentage of people who have reported their neighbours |
| 1 | Plymouth | 24.0% |
| 2 | Liverpool | 27.6% |
| 3 | Nottingham | 31.2% |
| 4 | Belfast | 31.3% |
| 5 | Birmingham | 32.2% |
| 5= | Newcastle | 32.2% |
| 6 | Edinburgh | 32.4% |
| 7 | Southampton | 34.2% |
| 8 | Bristol | 35.6% |
| 9 | Sheffield | 35.7% |
| 10 | Manchester | 36.4% |
Our survey reveals that Plymouth appears to have the best neighbours in the UK. Only 24% of residents say they have reported their neighbours for disruptive behaviour, the lowest percentage of reports of any UK location. This low rate of complaints suggests that Plymouth residents have a particularly harmonious community, where neighbours are more likely to coexist peacefully or are perhaps able to resolve conflicts independently.
Liverpool claims second place, with a slightly higher percentage of 27.6%. This means just over a quarter of residents in the city have reported their neighbours, one of the lowest percentages in the study.
In third is the city of Nottingham, with the number of people reporting neighbours amounting to 31.2%.
| The 5 UK Locations with the Worst Neighbours | ||
| Rank | Location | Percentage of people who have reported their neighbours |
| 1 | London | 42.4% |
| 2 | Glasgow | 40.1% |
| 3 | Norwich | 37.6% |
| 4 | Brighton | 37.2% |
| 4= | Leeds | 37.2% |
| 5 | Cardiff | 36.7% |
At the opposite end of the scale, London is seemingly home to the UK’s worst neighbours, with 42% of people here saying they’ve reported those who live next to them. The most common way for Londoners to take action regarding their neighbours is to contact the local council, with 41% of residents who have reported a neighbour, having done so, while a further 30% have gone as far as reporting their grievances to the police.
Following England’s capital is Glasgow, with 40% reporting their neighbours. 60% of the residents who admitted to reporting neighbours in Glasgow said they have reported an issue to the local council. Norwich claims third position as the UK city with the worst neighbours, with 38% having reported an annoying next-door neighbour.
How much do neighbours influence people’s decision to move house?
Although most people might feel compelled to complain about neighbour nuisances, some residents in the UK are taking this even further. Of all respondents, nearly a quarter (24%) said that neighbours have influenced their decision to pack up and move house.
Relocating due to disagreements with neighbours is most common among the Gen Z demographic. A notable 37% of people in this age group cited conflicts with neighbours as a reason for moving house. This trend is unsurprising given that nearly two-thirds of Gen Z have, or will, attend university, where living in student accommodation notoriously creates an environment of increased social activity, often leading to noisy gatherings and neighbourly conflicts.
The highest rate of relocations due to neighbour disputes is found in Nottingham, where 31% of residents have moved because of such issues. In contrast, Plymouth boasts the lowest rate, with only 15% of people reporting they’ve relocated for this reason – perhaps due to the city’s more relaxed, coastal way of life.
What to look out for from potential neighbours when viewing a property
Neighbours are a big part of living in a home, though this aspect of moving house is often overlooked. Neighbours not only live beside you but are members of your community and are people you’ll likely be interacting with often. Our mortgage team has compiled a list of things to consider when looking at properties to avoid any neighbour-related hiccups further down the line.
1. Property maintenance
When you visit a potential new home, observe the neighbouring properties. Neglected properties might suggest a lack of communal upkeep, which could lead to issues like overhanging branches, encroachment on space, or overflowing bins in the future.
2. Parking and traffic
Assess the availability of street parking and observe traffic patterns around the property. For example, check that your neighbours have designated parking spaces to avoid any future problems, like blocking your driveway or fighting over spaces. High traffic or limited parking could be inconvenient, especially if you have multiple vehicles or frequent visitors.
3. Property boundaries
Clarify property boundaries with neighbours to avoid potential disputes in the future. Ensure fences, hedges, and shared driveways are clearly defined and maintained so there is no dispute as to who owns what.
4. Talk to the neighbours
If possible, strike up a conversation with nearby residents when viewing a property. They can provide valuable insights into the neighbourhood dynamics, local amenities, and any concerns they may have. Pay attention to any excessive noise coming from neighbouring properties or nearby establishments. If you can, visit the property at different times of the day to get an understanding of noise levels.
Next steps if you have a neighbour complaint
If you do have a complaint about your neighbour, it’s important to understand the best course of action to take to limit any conflict. Each situation is unique, so take time to do research and plan your next steps based on the nature of your complaint.
Noise complaints
Noise complaints are a very common issue with residents in the UK. Many people might prefer to address the issue directly with their neighbour first, while some choose to involve the council. It's recommended to start with a conversation with your neighbour first to express your concerns.
Damaged property
If a neighbour damages your property, intentional damage warrants contacting the police. For accidental damage, try to resolve the issue by discussing repairs with your neighbour. If they refuse, legal action for negligence may be considered.
If a shared fence is damaged or broken, it’s usually best to speak with your neighbour directly. If they fail to repair the damage and the fence is considered to be a safety hazard, the next port of call is to contact the local council.
Parking issues
For issues with parking, for example, blocked driveways or hogging parking spaces, it’s best to speak to the neighbours responsible first. You may also be able to contact the local council if the issue is not resolved, or contact the property management company if you live in a property with allocated parking.
Methodology
A survey of 4,950 people in the UK was conducted in June 2024.
The Editorial Team - Compare the Market
Experts in personal finance, insurance and utilities
Compare the Market’s Editorial Team is made up of industry experts with decades of experience in personal finance, insurance and utilities. Each of our authors has an area of expertise, where they can share their extensive experience to help you get a better deal, by finding the right product and saving money.
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