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11 ways to be a good neighbor

By Julie Tramonte

November 2025

If you’re used to renting, you may find that homeownership comes with a different set of norms for interacting with your neighbors.

Unlike living in an apartment – which generally requires minimally extended courtesies like a nod in the hall, not parking in someone else’s spot, and keeping noise levels reasonable – homeownership requires a higher level of etiquette. It’s not that there are rules involved, it’s just behavioral expectations that – when met – make everyone’s home life better. 

Here are 11 things you can do (or not do!) to be a good neighbor.

1. Introduce yourself.

If you are shy, doing this may feel awkward, but it’s a really nice thing to do. Homeownership is more permanent than renting, so there’s a good chance you’ll live near your neighbors for years – and you all probably have a vested interest in making your interactions pleasant or at least stress-free. Your neighbors may even beat you to the punch, since typically the existing neighbors make the first move to welcome new ones. Smart tip: Write down their names in case you forget them and are too embarrassed to admit it later on.

2. Tell your guests to park in front of your house, not your neighbors’.

Yes, technically the street is public. But, similar to the unspoken code of not going into a bathroom stall directly next to one that’s occupied when others are available (a little buffer, please!), good neighbors respect the street in front of their neighbors’ homes because they know their neighbors could be expecting guests themselves or could find a parked car inconvenient if they want to water their grass or cut their lawn.

3. No power tools before 9 a.m. on the weekend. 

Some people love to sleep in on the weekends. Give them at least this much time in the morning before subjecting them to the roar of your lawnmower. 

4. If there’s a snowstorm and your neighbor doesn’t have a snowblower, plow their sidewalk for them.

They will be grateful for you sparing their backs, and you’ll be surprised how they may reciprocate to show their appreciation. (Like giving you baked goods or cutting you some slack if you wake them in the morning with your power saw.)

5. Offer to collect their mail or newspaper or take out their trash when they're traveling.

Besides being nice, it’ll help deter crime in your neighborhood by not tipping off would-be thieves to an unoccupied house. And chances are they’ll offer to do the same if you’re out of town.

6. Pick up after your dog if it poops on your neighbor’s property.

Better yet, keep your dog off your neighbor’s property – they’ll like that even more.

7. If mail or packages are delivered to your house accidentally, promptly bring them to the correct neighbor.

And if a package gets delivered to your neighbor’s house and you know they are out of town, move the package out of sight to prevent it from being stolen.

8. Offer to share tools, ladders, folding chairs or other items.

Admittedly, this could backfire if you get a neighbor who doesn’t return things, but chances are good that they will. I mean, it’s not as if you don’t know where they live – and you may need to borrow something from them someday, too.

9. If you see your neighbor struggling, offer to help.

That applies to a car that won’t start, a fallen tree, flooded basement, power outage, etc. It’s the neighborly thing to do and it generates goodwill.

10. Keep the volume down after 9 p.m.

Some people go to bed early, so be considerate and turn down your music or bring a loud party inside. Your neighbor will appreciate being able to go to sleep or just have some peace after being forced to listen to your noise.

11. Be respectful.

This last one is the most important one of all. In fact, if you ignore all the tips above and only follow this one, you’ll wind up being a good neighbor.

In fact, being respectful and courteous is probably the best thing we can all do for our neighbors everywhere.  

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Julie

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Julie Tramonte is a writer who joined MGIC in 2018. Prior to flying the coop, she wrote for a mattress company, a manufacturer and advertising agencies. She’s obsessed with reading, traveling, tennis and rearranging furniture. Mother of 2 beautiful, adult daughters. Empty nester who recently downsized. Her guilty pleasures are doughnuts and the Kardashians (don’t tell anyone).
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