Unless your house sits on 20 acres out in the country somewhere, chances are you have neighbors who live nearby. And as you probably already know, your relationship with them can greatly impact your quality of life.

Sure, we all would love to live in a Pleasantville-esque neighborhood where everyone has a picket fence and your neighbors waive to you on your way to work, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes your neighbor throws wild parties until 3 a.m., or they let their pets use your lawn as their own personal bathroom without cleaning up.

That’s why I feel it’s important to brush up on some common-sense tips to help you be a better neighbor and solve issues that may be keeping you up at night.

1: Introduce Yourself

If your neighbor hasn’t introduced themselves within the first week of moving in, make plans to pay them a visit the following weekend at a reasonable time to avoid interrupting dinner or after work/school activities.

The goal of this meeting is to learn their names and hopefully exchange contact information. This will be helpful if you have questions about the community or more importantly, the number for a great pizza place. If you’re lucky, they may go with you and introduce you to other neighbors.

The longer you wait to do the introduction, the more awkward it will become. This is especially true if you live in an apartment complex where you’re more likely to pass each other in the hallway or get stuck in an elevator together.

If you’ve lived at your residence for a few months and you haven’t introduced yourself to the neighbors yet, break the ice by bringing them a gift, inviting them to game night or organizing a garage sale.

2: Be Civil on Social Media

Your neighborhood probably has a group Facebook page and you should absolutely join it. It’s a great place to learn about your community, sell items that you want to get rid of and get recommendations for repair/maintenance services.

What you shouldn’t use the group Facebook page for is to constantly complain about your neighbors or post snarky comments. This sort of commentary can cause a rift among neighbors.

3: Talk It Out

In-person communication is key to maintaining a positive relationship with your neighbors. If you’re having a party, cutting down a tree, replacing a fence or anything that might remotely affect your neighbors, it’s wise to inform them ahead of time. You don’t necessarily have to ask permission, but they will appreciate the timely update so that they can prepare and share any concerns.

4: Exterior Upkeep

Landscaping and pressure-washing may not be your favorite things to do, but the exterior of your home is what your neighbors see most of the time so it’s wise to keep things looking clean and well-kept. If you have a hectic schedule, there are services you can use for both pressure-washing and lawn care.

On the flip side, if you love working in the garden and know your neighbors don’t, offer to give them a hand or bring over some extra flowers to plant. It’s a great way to get to know them better.

5: Neighborhood Watch

This step is all about looking out for your neighbors and their property. If you know your neighbors are out of town, be extra vigilant and keep an eye on things while they’re gone. This can include everything from calling the fire department if you spot smoke inside the home to simply collecting packages from their front porch so they’re not left out. They’ll have peace of mind and hopefully return the favor when you leave for vacation.

6: Pet Friendly

Having a pet is a great way to meet the neighbors out on walks, but they can also cause problems if you’re not a responsible owner. It should go without saying, but always pick up after Fido if he/she goes to the bathroom on a neighbor’s lawn. Also, try to be mindful of their barking, as well.

7: Noise Control

If you have shared walls, people who live under you or both, be mindful of the noise you create. As I discussed in an earlier tip, let your neighbors know if you’re having a large gathering so they know what to expect. Noise from appliances and walking with heavy shoes can be just as annoying, especially late at night or early in the morning. My advice is to operate large appliances, like a washer and dryer, at reasonable hours of the day, and wait to put on your boots until you’re ready to leave the house.

8: Parking Protocol

People can be very territorial over parking and few things will sour a relationship with your neighbor quicker than parking where you’re not supposed to. Common courtesy is the way to go here, and you should always use the space assigned to you. If you need extra parking for a guest, ask your neighbor in person or shoot them a text to get permission. Few things are worse than coming home with a car full of groceries only to find your parking space taken by someone who doesn’t even live in your building.