01/07/2025
Are you an annoying neighbour?
Survey reveals Brits’ biggest neighbour pet peeves
• Dogs barking is the most common neighbour pet peeve, with 19% of Brits choosing it as their biggest frustration
• Your neighbours may water your plants while you’re away and sign for parcels when you’re out, but that doesn’t mean they are always a dream to live next to.
An estimated 74% of Brits have a good relationship with their neighbours, but a recent survey conducted by specialist home insurer Homeprotect revealed that over 60% reported something that annoyed them.
Clearly, if your neighbours are getting on your nerves, then you’re not alone – but what’s likely to cause tension over the garden fence this summer?
While almost 30% of us claim to have no complaints, the rest of the UK is far less amenable.
The top complaint? Barking dogs. This grinds the gears of nearly one in five Brits (19%), with the complaint appearing as a top three answer for people aged 25 and over. It’s of little concern to 16–24-year-olds.
If you’re in Norwich, take note as people in the Norfolk city find barking dogs the most irritating – 26% of locals say this drives them around the bend, followed by Plymouth and Edinburgh (both 22%).
Coming in at number two is playing music loudly, which annoys 17% of us the most. This is especially the case for younger people as it’s the top gripe for Gen Z and second for Millennials.
It’s also a big deal for Sheffield residents, with 23% of locals listing it as their top neighbourly nuisance. So maybe turn the bass down if you’re living in South Yorkshire. Closely following Sheffield are those local to Liverpool (21%) and London (20%).
Slamming doors takes third place overall (16%), with Brighton residents especially irritated. A quarter of residents in the East Sussex city said they can’t stand a slamming or banging door.
Edinburgh (22%) and Manchester (20%) locals aren’t fans either, so maybe invest in a doorstop if you want to keep the peace.
Noisy kids and rude behaviour (both 15%) round out the top five. Younger generations (16-34-year-olds) are the most bothered by badly-behaved kids, while Gen Z is especially fed up with neighbours they think are plain rude.
Yet again, Norwich neighbours top the rankings with 23% saying this was their biggest pet peeve.
Manchester residents are most disgruntled by rudeness, with 18% of residents labelling this their biggest irritation, followed by 18% of Nottingham residents.
David Joyson, Chief Customer Officer at Homeprotect, commented on the findings:
“While many of us get along well with our neighbours, certain habits can still test our patience, whether it’s a barking dog, loud music or constant door slamming.
“We often think about how to protect our homes, but protecting your peace of mind is equally important, especially in your home, which many of us consider a sanctuary.
“Issues with neighbours can cause relations to sour and create uncomfortable tension, but they can also escalate, and if that results in a more formal dispute, it could have the potential to cause an issue if you were to sell your home. That’s why it’s important to know how to de-escalate these situations, and if this can’t be done, to know your legal position.
How to avoid and resolve neighbourly disputes:
#1 Communicate with kindness
“A friendly chat can go a long way. Your neighbour may not realise there’s an issue or that it’s frustrating you unless you raise it with them – addressing it calmly with a focus on trying to find a solution or compromise is a good place to start.
#2 Pick your battles
“Occasional noise or minor annoyances like a loud party in the garden or maintenance work are part of community living. One-off events like these can be annoying, but it’s better to save complaints for repeat offences and disruption like consistent loud music playing.
#3 Avoid retaliation
“Tempting as it might be to issue some payback, retaliating will only escalate tensions. Stay calm and polite when approaching neighbours about disruptive living habits and know when to take the high road – you never know when you may need to rely on them in future.
#4 Know your position
“If problems persist despite raising concerns, keep a diary of what’s happening and when. This can be useful if you need to approach your local council to report a nuisance or need legal support.
#5 Consider your insurance options
“In more serious neighbourly disputes, which may be about property boundary lines or damage, it’s always worth reviewing whether you have legal expenses covered as part of your home insurance policy.
“If neighbour-related incidents lead to damage, some insurers may require you to disclose ongoing problems if they involve formal complaints.”
Link to the survey:
Do people like their neighbours? What makes a good neighbour? Which are the friendliest regions across the UK?
