Searches for the phrase “hate my neighbours” have risen by 25.3% year-on-year in the UK since 2020, according to Google search data, highlighting growing frustration with life next door and the neighbour tensions many households are quietly dealing with.
That frustration is far from rare. Separate research by YouGov suggests that around 1 in 3 UK adults has experienced a dispute with a neighbour at some point, yet when it comes to buying a home, many of these issues never show up during viewings, leaving buyers to discover problems only after they’ve moved in.
From boundary disagreements and parking rows to long-running noise complaints, neighbour issues are among the most common sources of post-purchase regret, but the challenge is that many of the tensions that make daily life uncomfortable are informal. Many never reach court, never appear in listings, and are easy to gloss over during a carefully managed viewing.
While formal disputes must be disclosed on the Law Society’s TA6 Property Information Form, lower-level tensions can easily slip through the cracks, with a seller who’s keen to move on not legally bound to mention the neighbour who constantly complains about parking, objects to minor changes, or regularly plays loud music late into the evening.
According to Tim Simmons, Sales & Marketing Director, this is why buyers should pay attention not just to the property itself, but to the small behavioural and visual clues around it.
“Most people go into a viewing looking at finishes, layout and storage,” Simmons says. “However, very few are thinking about neighbour relationships, yet those dynamics can have a huge impact on how happy someone feels once they’ve moved in.”
One sign buyers often underestimate, he says, is outdoor space that looks perfect on the surface but doesn’t seem to be used.
“A garden or patio that’s immaculately kept but shows no signs of being enjoyed, no moved furniture, no wear, no personal touches, can sometimes suggest the space is being avoided rather than being properly used,” Simmons explains. “While it might seem like a bonus, it would also happen when there’s ongoing tension next door, particularly around noise or privacy.”
He adds that buyers should pay attention to other small but revealing details during viewings, and while none of these clues are deal-breakers on their own, when several appear together, they’re often the things buyers later wish they’d questioned more closely.
- A ‘perfect’ but unused garden or patio: Outdoor spaces with no moved furniture, wear, or personal touches can hint that sellers avoid spending time there, often due to strained relations nearby.
- New or oddly positioned fencing and hedges: Recently installed or unusually defensive boundary lines can suggest past disagreements over space or privacy, even if no formal dispute was recorded.
- Curtains, blinds or shutters kept closed on one side of the house: Especially true if at ground level, as this can point to long-running privacy concerns or attempts to block views from neighbouring properties.
- Security cameras or motion lights aimed sideways rather than outward: Surveillance focused on next door, rather than the street or entrances, can sometimes reflect ongoing tension or mistrust.
- Reluctance to explain altered or abandoned renovation plans: Extensions, garden walls or fences that were redesigned or halted may have followed objections or disputes with neighbours.
- Limited access to shared areas: Driveways, alleys or bin stores that are difficult to view or vaguely explained can mask disagreements over use or responsibility.
“Most of these clues are simply prompts to ask better questions,” he explains. “Buying a home should feel exciting, not like a gamble on who lives next door, but being alert to small details can help buyers make a confident decision and avoid unpleasant surprises later.”
