Britons have gone into overdrive when it comes to falling out with their neighbours – that’s if they get to know them.
Britons have gone into overdrive when it comes to falling out with their neighbours – that’s if they get to know them.
New research shows that selfish car parking is currently the biggest ‘hot potato’ in neighbourly living – causing more than three million households to do battle with the people next door.
But nearly a quarter of people wouldn’t know who to complain to, admitting that they just don’t know who lives there.
Research from Norwich Union Insurance gives an insight into Britain’s rowing neighbours and shows that parking is a greater cause for concern than blaring music and late night parties.
And the study also shows that a fifth of residents have to contend with Dot Cotton-type busy bodies ‘twitching their net curtains’ to find out what is going on next door.
More than half say they have to put up with eager-to-please neighbours, such as Tom and Barbara from the ‘Good Life’ - while 25 per cent say they enjoy the friendly and open neighbourly relationship shared by the gang on American sitcom ‘Friends’.
Norwich Union’s ‘Getting Neighbourly’ study also shows:
- Almost half of people count themselves lucky to live next to friendly and well meaning neighbours
- Although a quarter (24 per cent) of people say selfish car parking makes their blood boil, only 12 per cent have the courage to say anything
- Loud music only upsets seven per cent of the population while noisy lovemaking has caused one per cent of Britons to fall out with the people next door.
Jill Willis, household market development manager at Norwich Union Insurance, said: “It is surprising that car parking tops our list of disputes, but it reflects that a significant number of homes now have more than one car.
“Noise is still a sore point for many – including the sound of neighbours getting fruity, which, according to our research, is more upsetting than neighbours being too nosy.
“Like any relationship, communication is key and we’d always suggest that if people have a problem or issue with their neighbours, they talk it through rather than letting it fester and then explode into an argument or even a legal dispute.”
The Norwich Union top ten reasons in this latest survey for neighbourhood disputes are:
- Selfish car parking
- Loud pets
- Loud children
- Loud music/TV
- Overhanging trees
- Indiscreet arguments
- Late night parties
- Noisy lovemaking
- Nosy neighbours
Legal expenses insurance and legal advice is available with Norwich Union home insurance policies to cover a wide range of disputes, although cover is not given for pre-existing disputes. For more information speak to your usual insurance adviser or Norwich Union contact.
Visit www.norwichuniondirect.co.uk/homedoctor for more information and advice on a range of issues affecting your home.
Press contact:
Jane Wheeler/Matt Buchanan at QBO on 020 7379 0304 or Liz Kennett (mobile – 07801 901 666) / Jenny Chapman (mobile - 0777 5822 642) at Norwich Union on 08703 66 68 65
Notes to editors:
- Norwich Union commissioned Taylor Nelson Sofres to interview 1,000 households across Britain in June 2002.
- Norwich Union is the UK’s largest insurer. In general insurance it is more than 1.5 times the size of its nearest competitor, and has a 19 per cent share of the market.
- It has a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses. It insures:
- one in five households
- one in five motor vehicles
- more than 700,000 businesses
- Norwich Union products are available through a variety of distribution channels including brokers, corporate partners such as banks and building societies, and Norwich Union Direct.