How to Be a Good Neighbor: Town Home and Condo Etiquette

Turn onto the backstreets of my town home neighborhood, and the beauty of the Old World style homes will pleasantly surprise you. The community is small, and the landscaping is fresh and well-maintained. The neighborhood looks like a dream.

Move in and you will have a rude awakening from that dream. Town homes and condominiums are supposed to be that nice middle ground for homeowners who do not want to rent but also not have the hassle of landscape and other outside maintenance. Unfortunately, not all homeowners or renters in our community have the same goal of a pleasant neighborhood. As I am sure this is a universal issue, here are a few tips for learning to be a good neighbor in a town home or condominium community.

Be Cognizant of the Rules
Whether you own or rent in a community, always be sure you know and understand the community rules. The policies are in place for a reason: so that many different people of many different backgrounds can come together in a peaceful, pleasant neighborhood. If you own a unit in a community but rent it out, be sure your renters understand the rules. You will be the one responsible should your renters not follow the policies.

Be Careful about Parking Issues
Most communities, like mine, have a policy regarding parking. You should park only in your own driveway (you would be surprised how many people feel they can park in another's drive). Many people use their garage as a storage shed and park wherever they want. Or families have too many vehicles for their home. Be courteous to your neighbors and work on getting your vehicles into the proper places. Depending on your neighborhood's rules, stick with your own driveway and garage. Do not use or overuse extra parking places designed for guests.