Depending on how well you get along, it can be awkward as a homeowner when you have to approach your neighbour to discuss a repair or project of a shared area. Typically, this might involve putting up or repairing a fence, but it can also include a joined boulevard, overgrowing trees, or the space between homes.
Recently, we decided to chop down the overgrowth of weeds between our house and the neighbours, install a weed barrier and fill the area with river rock. We were prepared to pay for it ourselves as the modification wasn’t required, but we chose to speak to our neighbour before beginning. It was well worth the effort as they were keen to clean up the area and happy to share the costs. That did involve us performing much of the labour ourselves, but it was worth it to divide the expenses and save ourselves a bit of money.
If you’re wondering how to approach your neighbour, here are some tips to get the conversation started.
Choose an appropriate time to speak to your neighbour. Do not catch them on their way to work in the morning or after they’ve picked up their kids from daycare. Wait until neither of you is rushed. Ideally, you want to both be in the right frame of mind without obvious time constraints. This consideration is less important if you have a good relationship with your neighbour and can chat freely. Approach the conversation from your point of view and explain the goal of the project without dictating. If it’s a problem that needs to be resolved, speak calmly and avoid laying blame. Have a resolution in mind and how it will benefit both of you.
Give your neighbour a chance to speak and express his or her point of view. No one likes to be dismissed, so give him or her a chance to speak, and be sure to listen.
If you cannot initially agree on a course of action, make sure you fully understand the whole problem. Take the time to work on a solution together and agree on something you can both live with. Keep an open mind and realize ahead of time that you may have to compromise. Write down what steps you have agreed upon, along with the timeline and costs to complete the project. Keep a copy of the agreement and give a copy to your neighbour. Decide on a time and date to check in again as the project progresses, and keep smiling!
Written By: Julie Achtermeier
