How to build great relationships with your neighbours

Getting along with your neighbours and having good relationships with them can help you feel safer, happier and more connected to your neighbourhood and boost your health and wellbeing.

So if you’re new to your neighbourhood, or simply don’t know your neighbours very well, we encourage you to start taking small steps to building positive relations.

Getting to know new neighbours

Moving to a new area can be hard, especially if you don’t know anyone. One of the best ways to start to settle in and feel part of the neighbourhood is to introduce yourself to your neighbours.

If you’re new in the neighbourhood:

• Download, print out and fill in our free Hi Neighbour printable, then drop them in your neighbours’ letterboxes. You can also email us at admin@nhw.com.au to request a set of  4 “Hi, I’m your new neighbour” postcards. Send us your full name and postal address and put “New neighbour postcards” in the subject line.
• Knock on your neighbour’s door and introduce yourself.
• Smile wave and “say hi” when you see a neighbour you don’t know  – that may lead to introductions and a friendly chat. You may find you have some things in common like kids, sports, hobbies or pets.

If someone new moves into your area:

• Pop around to “say hi” and introduce yourself.
• Let them know about any neighbourhood Whats App or Facebook groups they can join.
• Give them your contact details and offer to help out or answer any questions.

If people find you friendly, helpful considerate and approachable, they’re far more likely to respond to you in the same way.

7 simple things you can do to be an awesome neighbour

Doing small random acts of kindness for your neighbours is a great way to foster good relationships.

1. Smile, wave and “say hi” when you see them.
2. Bring their bins in on rubbish collection day if they’ve been left out.
3. Mow their naturestrip when you’re doing your own.
4. Share extra fruit, veggies or flowers from your garden, eggs from your chooks or home-cooked treats.
5. Invite them over for a cuppa and a chat, or a backyard barbecue
6. Offer to keep an eye on their home if they’re away – clear their letterbox, water their garden, look after pets, and help make the place look occupied.
7. Lend a hand – offer to help them with a DIY project, receive a delivery if they’re not going to be home or take their dog for a walk.

Ideas to build a happy neighbourhood

There are lots of great ways to bring neighbours together and build neighbourly connections. Here are a few ideas:

• Start a Neighbourhood Watch group
• Hold a neighbourhood picnic, barbecue, long-table lunch or “drinks in your driveway”
• Have a backyard cricket or soccer game
• Grow a community garden or set up a seed or cutting exchange
• Stage a footpath chalk art or street tree decoration event
• Start a street walking group
• Host a neighbourhood garage sale
• Set up a monthly roaming morning tea
• Start a book club and/or book exchange
• Run a dedicated street play morning for neighbourhood kids
• Organise a meet up in the park for well-socialised neighbourhood doggies, with treats & toys

Having issues with your neighbours? Read our tips for getting along with your neighbours and preventing and resolving issues.