Find out how to develop a good relationship with your neighbours, so you can settle into your new community.
Introduce yourself
Being a good neighbour is important for living well in the community. You could introduce yourself to your neighbours on the day you move in – this is a great way of forming a positive relationship from the start.
It is useful to get on with your neighbours as you’ll be able to ask for advice, such as finding out when your bin collection days are, and it will help you settle into living as part of the local community.
See our video for tips about living in the community.
Try to keep the noise down
If you plan on having a party, let your neighbours know in advance and tell them when it will finish. You must still comply with the obligations under your tenancy agreement or local council noise regulations.
Try and plan parties for a Friday or Saturday night – during the week your neighbours may have work or school. Keep in mind that your neighbours may also have plans at the weekend. Being a student doesn’t mean you are outside of society – you are part of it like everyone else.
Complaints are most commonly made in relation to the frequency, noise levels, and duration of parties. Avoid hosting parties too often, and make sure they end at a reasonable time.
Remember to:
- keep the noise as low as possible and within your property
- keep windows and doors shut
- ask people to come inside at a reasonable time if you are using your garden at night
- speak to guests about behaving considerately (remember, you are responsible for their behaviour)
- think about the position of TVs and stereos in your property. Try to avoid placing them against walls you share with neighbours and turn the bass down.
Neighbours can complain about your behaviour to:
- your landlord or letting agent – they can enforce clauses in the tenancy agreement and take action
- environmental health at Brighton & Hove City Council – it can serve warnings about noise and noise abatement notices, which are legally enforceable (and if broken you could be taken to court)
- us – as a student you have signed up to the Student Charter, agreeing to behave considerately in the community. If your behaviour breaks this then we have a complaints process in place, which includes disciplinary action.
Keep your property clean and tidy
You should try to keep your property and street tidy. You can do this by:
- ensuring your bin does not overflow. Wildlife may rip open bin bags spilling the contents on to the street. If you need a bigger bin ask your landlord or contact the city council
- checking what you can recycle. You will need to put glass in a separate box from the rest
- bringing your bins in after the refuse and recycling has been collected so you don’t lose your bins or block the pavement
- donating any unwanted items to charity.
You will need to contact the council if you need to get bulky waste removed (there may be a fee for this) or you can take it to the tip.
For garden waste you will need to get in touch with the council to order a garden waste bin. There is a charge for this service.
When moving out from your private sector accommodation, it is important to consider your community responsibility. You should also show respect for those living around you and care for the community you have been part of during your time in the private sector. The property should be left clear of unwanted items and excess rubbish. Find out more about how to clean the premises when you move out.
Get involved in the community
You can get involved by:
- signing up to volunteer in your community
- signing up to hear about and attend community events.
Look after your home
Make sure you:
- remember to lock up, including locking your windows and doors when you go out
- let your neighbours know if your house is going to be empty for a long period of time.
Find out more about looking after your home.
If a complaint is made against you
It is important to respect the community while you are living in private-rented housing and remember the way we expect you to behave. As a student in private-rented accommodation, you will be closer to other members of the public who may lead very different lives, have different work patterns and schedules, and sometimes very different lifestyles to you.
If a complaint is made against you, by a member of the public, the University will take appropriate steps, which may include reporting the allegation to the Local Authority, Sussex Police or the Student Discipline Team.
Housing Services have no enforcement powers. Our role is to share advice and issue guidance on the next steps for you to take to assist you to live cohesively within your local community.
- If the student discipline team become involved
If the investigation is passed to the student discipline team, they will review it and decide whether any action is appropriate. If they take on the investigation, any new allegations made will be passed onto their team to review. Find out more about the student discipline process.
- Involvement of third parties
If an allegation is made to the University, it may be the case that the allegations have also been made to other parties in line with Data Protection regulations.
These typically can be:
· landlord or letting agent
· council teams such as Environmental Health and Private Sector Housing
· Sussex Police/PCSO.
It is important that you engage and share your feedback with your landlord/agent or any organisation involved.
Support available
There are a number of support services available from within the University and externally, who can provide welfare and wellbeing support, as well as help with engaging with neighbours: