There’s no doubt that the past few weeks have been challenging for everyone, and it’s fair to say that those living in blocks of flats may face additional struggles. Over the past few weeks, the majority of calls we have received (across all properties that we manage), have been complaints about neighbours. And while we understand that the reality is that not everyone is always going to get along, we are sending this notice to remind you that this is a time for communities to come together, through an equal share of respect and tolerance. We have highlighted some of the key issues below, with advice on how best to address them at this time.

Noise levels are likely to be increased during lockdown as of course, everyone is at home. And many things contribute to this, such as music, TV systems, DIY, door slamming and larger families. There are certain steps you can take to limit the impact your daily life has on your neighbours, such as keeping home entertainment systems away from partitioned walls, keeping volumes at a respectful level (particularly early in the morning and late at night), and being mindful of closing doors and gates gently, rather than slamming them shut. 

With recycling centres and tips closed, rubbish is building up all across the UK. We understand that the effects of this may be increased with residential living, but please understand that this is a national issue, so try not to let it cause friction among you and your neighbours. 

For your own safety and the safety of your neighbours, please adhere to government social distancing rules when using communal areas. Some of the ways you can do this are:

Unfortunately, while we hope this isn’t the case, there may be times when you experience anti-social behaviour at your property. Please refer to the ARMA Anti-Social Behaviour Advice Note on our Resources page, for guidance on how to deal with this.