The 4 tell-tale signs your potential new neighbours could be trouble

Keep your eyes pealed for any of this suspicious behaviour (Picture: Getty Images)

Prospective buyers have a lot to consider when it comes to choosing their forever home.

Does it have a south-facing garden? Is there enough storage? Is there an M&S nearby in case the Speckled Egg cookies are released early?

But one of the most important questions any responsible buyer should ask before signing on the dotted line is: what are the neighbours like?

Anyone who’s ever had the misfortune of living next door to an unpleasant neighbour will know first-hand just how quickly they can turn a dream home into a total living nightmare.

In extreme cases, difficult neighbours can even affect how easily a property will sell, with experts reporting they can potentially knock as much as 10% off its value.

Based on the latest UK average house price of £272,611, that could equate to more than £27,000.

So, with that in mind, here’s the signs that indicate your neighbours could be a nightmare.

You can always ask a seller or estate agent what the neighbours are like (Picture: Getty Images/Maskot)

Is it always this noisy?

One of the first things you should always be on the lookout for is noise.

Often cited as homeowners’ biggest bug bear, getting stuck next to a neighbour who plays rock music all evening is far from ideal.

And while there is legislation in place to try and protect residents’ rights and keep unreasonable noise to a minimum, it can be incredibly hard to enact actual change.

So, this is why scouting out an area’s decibel levels is so important before you commit to a property.

Verona Frankish, CEO of estate agents Yopa, tells Metro that whenever you visit a property for the first time you should try to make a note of any ‘loud music, shouting, persistent barking, regular parties or constant DIY’.

Would a noisy street put you off from buying a home there? (Picture: Getty Images)

That being said, a single noisy afternoon does not necessarily tell you much.

So, Verona recommends arranging another viewing at a different time of day, to make sure you get an accurate representation of the street’s noise levels.

‘If you are seriously considering buying, return independently on a weekday evening and again at the weekend.

‘A street that seems perfectly peaceful during an estate-agent viewing at 11am can feel very different at 9pm on a Saturday.’

While noise is par for the course in London, prospective homeowners might want to be extra cautious if they’re looking in Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, or Islington — all three of which made it into the top five noisiest boroughs in London last year.’

Who do all these cars belong to?

A couple of cars parked on the driveway is no cause for concern, but it’s worth paying attention to whether there’s lots of vehicles and people turning up.

‘A constant stream of people or vehicles coming and going from a neighbouring property is definitely worth investigating,’ Verona shares.

‘There may be a completely innocent explanation, such as a large family, but it could also point to a busy home business, short-term accommodation or some other intensive use.’

This could in turn mean that you might have to deal with extra noise, or strangers loitering around your own home.

Again, Verona says you’ll only be able to work out what’s going on by booking to see the property more than once.

She says: ‘The key is not to jump to conclusions based on one viewing but to return at different times.’

Where did it all this mess come from?

You can learn a lot about your neighbours by simply observing the condition they keep their home in.

Verona notes that ‘overgrown gardens, overflowing bins, rubbish being left outside or poorly maintained communal areas’ are all things that could indicate ongoing problems and could potentially impact your day-to-day quality of life.

The same goes for if you’re buying a flat.

Verona encourages all buyers to spend time looking at any and all shared spaces: hallways, bin stores, lifts, parking areas, and communal gardens — the state these are kept in can paint a pretty clear picture.

Don’t be afraid to check every nook and cranny (Picture: Getty Images)

If you do spot mounds of discarded rubbish, damaged doors, abandoned belongings, or persistent smells it’s probably a sign that residents aren’t following communal rules.

And in that case, it might not be the home for you.

What are they really like?

One of the most helpful things Verona suggests is paying close attention to how a seller or agent responds when you ask about the neighbours.

‘Start with a general question about what they are like, then ask specifically about previous complaints, noise, boundary issues or disputes,’ she advises.

‘Sellers are asked about neighbour disputes and complaints as part of the standard property information process, so buyers should not be afraid to ask direct questions.’

Don’t shy away from asking direct questions (Picture: Getty Images)

If you spot any unusual security measures, such as makeshift barriers, damaged fencing, or extensive security lighting, ask about it.

Find out if there have ever been any disputes the exact boundary line or problems with crime or trespassing.

There’s nothing wrong with being thorough. There are some things you simply can’t learn from watching a prospective neighbour put the bins out.

As Verona says, ‘arguments in the street, intimidation, deliberate obstruction or obvious hostility between neighbours should carry far more weight than something cosmetic such as an untidy garden.’

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