Living in a condo comes with its own unique benefits – you don’t have to worry about mowing the lawn like you would owning a house and, unlike renting, you don’t have to worry about checking with a landlord before painting your kitchen.
But condo living can also come with unique challenges – most of them relating to the neighbors you share your condominium community with. Chances are, if you’ve chosen to purchase a condo you’re probably a social person. But living in closer quarters with others can inevitably be trying at times.
Keeping these five tips in mind will help you be the best condo neighbor possible and avoid conflict before it even occurs!
1. Respect commons areas
Living in a condo means sharing space with the other condo owners. Everything inside your walls belongs to you, but everything outside of them is shared with the other owners – including your balcony! Be respectful of common areas, such as the pool, elevators and hallways, always helping to keep them clean and tidy.2. Park in the appropriate spot
There’s nothing worse than having an assigned parking spot and coming home to find someone else parked in it. Observing parking etiquette is one of the best ways to be a good neighbor! Always park in your assigned spot to avoid conflict. Alternately, if someone is parked in your spot, address the manner with them face to face. It’s better to address conflict rather than letting tension build.3. Keep noise to a minimum
While you may find vacuuming before bed soothing, chances are your neighbor probably won’t appreciate this nightly habit. Just like being in an apartment, it’s important to keep your neighbors in mind and avoid loud noises during the morning and at night when others may be sleeping. One way to cut back on your noise levels is by putting throw rugs down on hardwood floors. Rugs will help absorb sound!4. Report suspicious activity
You’re all in this together! If you see something suspicious, report it to the local authorities to help keep your community safe.5. Smile and be friendly
If you’ve chosen to live in a condo, chances are you enjoy making friends. If you are new to the community, introduce yourself to your neighbors. Getting to know them, and allowing them to get to know you, will be a great starting point for a successful relationship. Even if you’re not new, everyone appreciates the friendliness of others. Always remember to smile and say, “hello.”
