Sharing an apartment complex is one way of cutting down on cost when seeking to rent. Apartments are inexpensive because tenants share common facilities like a common compound, car park, among others.  Most experts recommend apartments for young professionals. Apart from their very good prices, living on an apartment means you also have neighbours around making you more secured than living in a house.So how do you ensure you are that neighbour that everyone wants to have around? Here are tips on how to be a good neighbour when you live on a shared apartment complex:

1. Be Courteous – Although you need to respect each other’s privacy, there is also the need to be courteous towards one another. If you live on a smaller apartment where it easier to recognise faces, a simple hello or goodbye will not be a bad idea. Establishing this kind of contact makes interacting in the future easier.
2. Respect each other’s privacy – The fact that you are sharing an apartment does not automatically make you friends. Do respect the other person’s privacy. Knock on their door when you are entering. Wait for an invitation before you enter a room. Do not peek when their doors are slightly opened. Get to know the people who matter on the apartment – the caretaker, property owner among others.
3. Know the basic rules of living on that apartment – Different apartments have their own rules regarding keeping pets (are you even allowed to keep pets?), car parking (are there designated spots for parking), smoking (is it allowed in the apartments?) Find these out even before you sign the tenancy agreement.
4. Offer help when needed – If you see someone struggling with heavy items on the stairs, you can offer a helping hand. If you are friends with a neighbour and you have not seen him/her in a long while, you can budge in and find out why he/she has been missing. This is a way of building relationships with your neighbours.
5. Be mindful of noise levels – Whether you are using the stairs or you are inside your apartment, be considerate of the noise level. Have you turned on the volume of the radio or television or other electronics to the highest volume? Do you have children who keep shouting on top of their voices? What about when you’re using the stairs – do you sing or make unnecessary noise? Do you organise parties which last throughout the night without giving prior notice to your neighbours? These are some of the areas you need to be cautious of before your tenants tag you a nuisance.

What are some of your experiences living in an apartment complex? Let us know on our social media platforms?