I’m an etiquette expert – people who put their bins out in PJs are disgusting & how to spot if your neighbours are tacky
IF you play your cards right, good neighbours can become good friends - however while there are plenty of ways to impress, you need to be careful not to annoy them too.
And there are some things you might do without even realising that could really get their back up.
Even small details may not go unnoticed.
Here, etiquette expert William Hanson shares the key to getting on in harmony, and the biggest errors you might be making that could be bringing down the neighbourhood....
On display
There's one small but significant faux-pas a lot of people make - and it involves what you display in your windows.
William says: "I hate signs and posters.
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"It's fine to a point, but it's the same piece of paper up in the window for years - it's a bit damp and manky.
"Also if people don't have shutters or something at the front of the house, if you're walking around especially at night at this time of year you can quite easily see in if people have lights on.
"I would feel the need to make sure everything was immaculate and presentable and I was sitting on the sofa nicely, but you look in even the most gorgeous houses and people are sitting there like slobs or the house looks a complete mess!
"If you don't want that, buy a flat higher up, or move to the country."
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'A wheelie bin is not a thing of beauty'
Another error involves airing your - albeit not dirty - laundry in public.
William says: "Hanging your washing up outside - especially if you have a flat with a balcony.
"You look up at these flats at some really smart developments and they've all got their washing outside.
"Also using your balcony as a storage unit, especially if it's visible and you've got cluttered furniture and big boxes and it's not the sort of tranquil space it's meant to be."
Additionally, leaving your wheelie bin out in the street to reserve your parking space is not advised.
William says: "It looks awful. A wheelie bin is not a thing of beauty.
"If you absolutely have to reserve a space for a delivery put a cone or just stand there yourself to keep it temporarily free."
Mistletoe and whine
To avoid getting it in the neck from whingeing neighbours you need to be especially careful at this time of year.
William says: "We're approaching the time of year where people are in particular bringing down their neighbourhoods with Christmas decorations.
"Flashing lights, inflatable things, ghastly wreaths - tat basically.
"It can look tacky - if you're sharing a house or a block of flats with people everyone's got to approve of the communal decor."
'Absolutely filthy!'
Another mistake many of us make is being a little too 'relaxed' when it comes to bin day.
When it comes to putting out the rubbish, William says: "You can be in more relaxed wear, but I would not empty the bins - even if you live in the countryside with no neighbours - in your pyjamas that you're then going to get into bed in!
"It's disgusting, absolutely filthy, because you will get a bit of splash back or the bin bag might graze your leg - no!
"However I do know the moment I walk out of the door and my hair's a bit all over the shop and I haven't shaved, that's when I'll bump into every single neighbour."
Unwelcome guest
Popping by unannounced is a big no no.
William says: "Obviously if there's a problem, like a flood, fair enough - but you can not just swing by.
"My immediate neighbour is a friend from university and I would still not just turn up at the door unless there was a problem.
"They have a life - they don't need someone breathing down their neck!"
The key to success
Finally, to maintain harmonious relations, William advises communication is key.
He says: "Communication is so important. Regular communication and any issues there might be, you should address before they become a bigger issue.
"A Group WhatsApp is very practical, and it's a very nice way to share information very quickly.
"It has to be business minded and to the point rather than 'how's everyone's day going?' kind of chat.
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"In Britain in particular we have an inbuilt reflex where we feel we can't say anything - it's like when you sit in a restaurant and moan the steak is terrible and then when the waiter comes over you say it's all lovely.
"That's fine in a restaurant as you'll be leaving, but when you're sharing the same space with someone it's important to address."
