Not so neighbourly: less than half of brits would trust their neighbour with a key

Being neighbourly is certainly not alive and well in the UK as research has found that almost half of Brits (44 per cent) would trust their neighbour with a key to their home.

Less than one in five of us (18 per cent) have spoken to our neighbours beyond ‘hello’ and nearly the same number have never actually seen them in person (20 per cent).

This is because as well as not trusting them, one in five of us (22 per cent) claim to be too busy to interact with them, with a quarter (24 per cent) thinking the conversation would be too awkward and 23 per cent believing they wouldn’t have anything in common with them.

A quarter of us (23 per cent) have had a spat or argument with our neighbour at some point and 7.7 million* of us have even avoided going into the garden when their neighbour is outside, to steer clear of an awkward conversation.

A shocking 2.1 million** of us have also gone as far as ducking below a garden fence to dodge an uncomfortable interaction with them.

The research by Privilege Home Insurance also found that just one in five 18-24-year-olds (21 per cent) believe they live next door to someone they consider to be a friend.

This isn’t the case with the older generation however, as two thirds (65 per cent) of 65-74-year-olds consider those living nearby to be a chum.

It’s not all bad though, as over a quarter of millennials (26 per cent) are involved in a community instant messenger group, which could show we’re simply changing the way we communicate.

One third of 25-34-year-olds (34 per cent) are known to regularly check on their elderly neighbours and a third (33 per cent) have also been kind enough to pass on their contact details in case of an emergency.

Two thirds (67 per cent) of the UK have sent a Christmas card to a neighbour and one in six (17 per cent) have even been gifted a welcome present after moving in.

Further to this, one in five of us (20 per cent) have asked a neighbour to borrow a tool such as a screwdriver, 17 per cent have asked for a local restaurant recommendation, and half (49 per cent) have had no qualms asking their neighbours to take a delivery for them.

Three in ten Brits (29 per cent) have also organised or attended a neighbourhood gathering like a street party or barbecue.

Of those surveyed, three in five (60 per cent) believe that neighbourly relationships are an important part of life.

Regionally, the area with the friendliest neighbours is Cardiff with 83 per cent having been involved in next-door chit-chat, whilst the frostiest city is apparently Nottingham with three in ten (31 per cent) actively admitting to disliking their neighbours. 

Christian Mendes, Head of Privilege Home Insurance, said: “As our lives get busier with work, family life and social commitments, it’s understandable that not all of us have connected with our neighbours.

“Yet despite this, the data reveals that those who do have connections have been able to form strong bonds that help create a real sense of community.

“Having good neighbours that you can trust can be a real asset, especially when it comes to ensuring the safety of your property whilst you’re away on holiday.”

Top reasons we rely on our neighbours:

1.    Taking deliveries

2.    Taking bins out

3.    Leaving them with a spare key

4.    Help with a DIY task

5.    Borrowing tools

6.    Watering plants

7.    Local recommendations

8.    Looking after pets

9.    Borrowing food items

10.  Information about local events

Least neighbourly cities:

1.    Nottingham

2.    Newcastle

3.    Sheffield

4.    Manchester

5.    Southampton

6.    London

7.    Brighton

8.    Birmingham

9.    Cardiff

10.  Glasgow

ENDS

For more information, please contact: Dale Maycock at Richmond & Towers:

dale@rtc.london / 020 7554 4471
Notes to editors:

Research carried out amongst a nationally representative sample of 2000 UK adults by Opinium Research from 11th February to 12^th February 2020.

*Population data taken from ONS 2018 release.

**Population data taken from ONS 2018 release.

Privilege

Privilege Insurance specialises in home insurance for homeowners and landlords. It also offers car insurance and breakdown cover by phone or on-line.

Privilege general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Privilege and UK Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  

Customers can find out more about Privilege’s products or get a quote by calling

0345 246 0515 or visiting www.privilege.co.uk