For most people, being at home more than usual has become a new normal over the past year. In turn, more people are spending time and money to renovate their homes and spend time fixing up things throughout their property that they otherwise may not prioritize.
But, because homeowners have more of a financial obligation to upkeep their homes, a study done by Harmony Habitat found that they are more likely to take care of their property than renters – simply to protect their property’s value. The study also found that because renters have less of their wealth tied up in where they live, they have less incentive to worry about the home’s value.
If we look strictly at the data, many would assume that because most homeowners are willing to do more to take care of their property, they are better neighbours.
To be sure, we ran a social media poll with over 700 responses and found that 82% of homeowners feel they are better neighbours now than they were as renters. But, 87% of renters polled also said they are good neighbours.
So, what truly makes a good neighbour? Indeed, there are more important factors other than maintaining the property – but what factors are the ones that matter? We asked renters and owners for their experiences, and regardless of your living situation, the answers seem to be similar across the board.
What Qualities Make a Good Neighbour?
In the same social media poll, we asked renters and owners to share their stories and consider a good neighbour and community experience’s essential qualities.
1. They Are Helpful to Other Neighbours
For many, an unmistakable quality that has made their living experience that much better is having neighbours who are willing to help out with day-to-day tasks that are sometimes difficult. For example, many respondents shared that their best experiences with neighbours include their willingness to shovel their sidewalk or mow their lawn when they’re doing their own.
2. They Are Generous to One Another
Another example of a quality that makes for a good neighbour is having someone willing to share – whether it be conversation or fruits and vegetables from their garden. Many of the best stories were making new neighbours feel welcome and at home upon moving in. From a six-pack of beer to a fresh basil plant, small gestures can make you feel like you made the right decision in your home and community.
3. They Are Generally Respectful
Most of the examples of difficult living situations had to do with loud or grumpy neighbours who didn’t abide by the rules or bylaws that their city has in place. For that reason, most respondents are happy to have neighbours who show consideration and regard for one another.
4. They Are Attentive and Mindful
Lastly, a popular response surrounding what makes a good neighbour were the ones who are willing to protect and care for your belongings as if they are their own. Whether you collect a package that’s been left out in the rain or care enough to let a neighbour know of an issue, being an attentive neighbour can make a huge difference.
For example, one night, when my husband and I were out for a walk, we noticed the smell of gas coming from a home down the street from us. We decided to call a gas company to drive by and check out the area rather than ignore the issue. After inspecting the gas smell, the company found a leak in one of our neighbours’ backyard that could have been potentially fatal. Being a good neighbour means looking out for one another to protect the well-being of the entire community.
Why Might Owners Think They Are Better Neighbours?
Of all the qualities that make a good neighbour, none of these traits are strictly shared from owner to owner, so what might make owners believe that they are better neighbours than renters?
The Harmony Habitat study found a few potential reasons behind this mindset:
- Homeowners tend to remain in the property for a more extended period, adding some stability to their neighbourhood
- Homeowners reap the benefits of financial gain if their home increases in value, which means they tend to spend more time and money on maintenance, which contributes to the quality of their neighbourhood
- A study by Glaeser and DiPasquale found that homeowners are more politically active, with 77% voting in local elections compared to 52% of renters.
Agatha Smykot, a homeowner, based in Calgary, Alberta, was one of the respondents who felt she is a better neighbour now, as an owner, than she was while she rented.
“In both situations, I cared for my home,” says Smykot. In some ways, she says she is more tuned in to home maintenance as an owner. Like replacing furnace filters and managing home repairs, many things weren’t even a consideration as a renter. But now, Smykot knows that the onus falls on her, so she puts in more effort to take care of her property.
How Can You Find Good Neighbours?
Part of looking for a home to buy or rent involves choosing a neighbourhood that fits your lifestyle and needs. In that sense, something that can make or break your living situation is finding a good community of people who have all of the qualities we’ve listed above, including those who are helpful, generous, respectful and mindful.
To find a neighbourhood that has all of these things and more can be difficult because we typically don’t go door-to-door during the house-hunting process to vet our future neighbours. Instead, it’s more a luck-of-the-draw situation that can sometimes end differently than we hope.
But, there are still some good things to keep in mind when looking for a place to live and to determine whether you’ll find good neighbours in the community you love. To evaluate a neighbourhood, doing a few walkthroughs can help you get the first impression.
- Check out the neighbourhood both day and night to see what it’s like, how busy the streets are and how loud or quiet it seems
- If you’re out for a walk and see people outside, don’t be afraid to start a conversation and get to know them
- Look for general cleanliness and maintenance of the properties within the community
Why Are Good Neighbours So Important?
Finding a neighbourhood that has a solid community can make the experience of living somewhere that much more special. As a renter, it was never my priority to know my neighbours, knowing that I’d be leaving in a year or less. Now an owner, I have put much more effort into building relationships with the people closest to me – and it’s made us so much more confident in our decision to buy where we did.
Christopher Brown, founder of Tudor Housing Consulting and Canadian immigration professional, says that if you want to build a good community in a new neighbourhood, you need to interact with your peers often.
Whether it’s helping each other shovel our walkways in the winter or mow one another’s lawns in the summer, there are so many ways a neighbour can make you feel welcome and safe.
Regardless of whether you rent or own, Brown says you should always try to remain as kind as possible and spread positivity.
