Neighbours and holiday rentals

May 2024

Maintaining a good relationship with neighbours is not always easy, especially if we rent our property out as a holiday rental. However, it’s important to build a solid relationship with them, as it brings benefits for both parties.

In this guide, we will address the most common problems that can arise and how to prevent them. Furthermore, a friendly relationship with your neighbours is essential to maintain a good atmosphere in the building. Additionally, your neighbours will also be more pleasant with your guests.

On the other hand, it’s not flattering to have them against us, with their eyes on us and our tenants. It’s best to talk directly to them in person to discuss the situation and show them that you care about the community.

Most common problems between guests and neighbours

We have our apartment ready to finally make it visible on a holiday rental portal, but we haven’t told the neighbours anything… Off to a bad start! This already poses a problem. Neighbours have the right to know that there will be a holiday rental property in their building. And you may possibly save yourself some frowns just by letting them know.

However, once the property is rented out, problems can still arise between you and the new temporary guests. The most common ones are:

• High levels of noise
• Cleaning problems
• Parties being held
• Inappropriate use of communal areas
• Issues related to pets

With responsible guests, you can perfectly avoid any of these problems. And in the event that they do arise, you can always solve the problems with the neighbours caused by the rental by talking to your guests. Generally, giving them a warning is enough.

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Measures to avoid problems with neighbours

Install a noise meter on your property

If I decide to rent out my holiday home, it would be advisable to install a noise meter. Even with written and highly visible rules in the house, it doesn’t hurt to have this system. One of the most frequent complaints from neighbours is precisely the excessive noise from holiday rental guests. One way to measure noise levels is by installing a meter. Once the permitted noise levels are exceeded, the meter will alert you through an alert. And you can then warn your guests.

Demonstrate that you are in compliance

What if there are complaints from neighbours about the holiday rental? But what if they also impose a ban on renting out your property? In this case, you can talk to them to inform them that you comply with your legal obligations to advertise your holiday rental and receive your guests. Over time, and if you choose your tenants well, even the most reluctant neighbours will get used to the new situation.

Implement behaviour policies for guests

There are two types of hosts, those who select their guests and those who accept everyone. Whether you belong to one group or the other, you should establish behaviour policies for them. These are a series of rules that every tenant must follow. What points should be included? The basic rules for using the property with utmost respect:

• No noise after certain hours of the day
• Report any damage or flaw in the property
• Respect the capacity of the property and the agreed number of guests
• Do not use the property for parties and events
• Follow basic safety rules such as locking the door when leaving the house permanently
• Determine whether pets are allowed and what type
• Commit to complying with check-in and check-out times
• Be responsible with energy usage

Prohibit parties

This clause should be part of every holiday rental document. By prohibiting parties, you will save yourself from having annoyed neighbours calling you to complain. Loud music and shouting are not pleasant, especially during the week. When renting out a holiday apartment, both the host and the guest must fulfil their obligations and be aware of their responsibilities to others.

Show up at the holiday home when problems arise

How to manage the relationship with neighbours in holiday rentals? Simply by showing up when a problem arises. Neighbours will see that you are involved and concerned about what happens in the building. In addition, communicating with them through social media, calls, or WhatsApp only generates distance. And misunderstandings can even occur. Holidu’s recommendation is that whenever something involving a neighbour happens, you introduce yourself to them.

Set respectful check-in and check-out times for neighbours

When guests book your holiday rental, they must agree to the arrival and departure times. You can set a broad time frame, but it should be within hours when the noise of suitcases or guests going up the stairs won’t disturb the neighbours. And the same goes for the time they leave the house. This can disturb all the neighbours in the building, especially when it happens late at night.

What can happen if you select a bad guest?

You’ve posted an ad on the holiday rental website and, as you’ve had few guests lately, you accept everyone who contacts you… What can happen? Well, by not selecting them properly, you risk them causing problems. The most typical ones are:

• Damage to the property
• Complaints about the building or the apartment
• Increased expenses and cleaning time
• Negative reviews

For example, to avoid problems with neighbours of an Airbnb, the best thing you can do is filter all your guests. To eliminate this type of situation with Airbnb neighbours, we recommend always asking for identification, searching for information about them online, and having insurance for holiday rentals.

Why is it so important to maintain a good relationship with neighbours?

A pleasant atmosphere is essential for peaceful coexistence. Especially because your neighbours, unless they are renting, will stay in the property for years or maybe their whole life. A quiet space based on respect is the foundation for creating the best coexistence atmosphere in a community of neighbours. And it’s the only way to have cooperation among you.

Maintaining a cordial relationship with neighbours will make you feel more comfortable and happy. And in the event of a problem in your holiday home, your neighbours might want to help you. Emotional intelligence and the ability to face conflicts without getting emotionally involved are also important for this.

Creating a hostile atmosphere and fighting doesn’t help. It would be appropriate to strengthen bonds and respect different opinions. Coexistence is the pillar of good neighbourly relations when it comes to reaching agreements. So, to avoid problems with neighbours in holiday rentals, we advise you to be communicative, empathetic, and approachable.

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