Building ties between neighbours: initiatives, best practices and solutions for living together more harmoniously

The neighbourhood: the primary community for mutual support, yet often the one that is least utilised.

You can live in the same block of flats for years without really getting to know the people who live behind the neighbouring doors: a ‘hello’ in the lift, a few polite exchanges in the communal areas, and then everyone goes back to their daily lives. Yet many residents would like to get to know their neighbours better and rediscover a sense of community in their day-to-day lives.

The good news is that there are plenty of simple initiatives that can help build connections and breathe new life into a block of flats. And because community life isn’t always plain sailing, knowing a few rules of good neighbourliness (and knowing who to turn to in the event of a disagreement) also helps to defuse tensions before they take hold.

Simple ways to build connections

You don’t need big events to bring residents closer together:

• A meal with neighbours in a communal space, to get to know one another in an informal setting
• Neighbours’ Day – the perfect opportunity to take the plunge
• A discussion group (WhatsApp, collaborative platform) for everyday chats and small favours
• Community days (clean-ups, community garden) that build connections whilst improving the local environment
• A system of mutual support: lending tools, looking after pets, watering plants, delivering parcels
• Lively communal spaces: book box, community garden, one-off workshops
• A welcome message for new residents

Consistency makes all the difference: a coffee with the neighbours or a seasonal get-together helps to sustain the momentum over the long term, far beyond a one-off event.

Living together day to day: the rules of good neighbourliness

Social bonds make community life easier, but a few simple rules of good manners can prevent a great deal of friction:

• Noise: keep noise to a minimum, particularly early in the morning, late at night and on Sundays; turn down the music and avoid noisy work during normal quiet hours.
• Flooring and soundproofing: a carpet or sound-absorbing underlay beneath furniture and in high-traffic areas significantly reduces the sound of footsteps heard by neighbours below.
• Odours: air the flat after cooking, maintain extractor fans, and be mindful of smells from smoking or pets that may seep through between landings.
• Respect for communal areas: do not block corridors and stairwells, close access doors, and report any incidents promptly.
• Give advance notice of late-night parties or gatherings: a simple note slipped under doors or posted in the building’s chat group is often enough to turn a potential nuisance into a non-issue.

Living in a community isn’t always easy; different sensibilities and lifestyles coexist under the same roof. But experience shows that the better the residents of a block know one another, the more kindness and mutual understanding they show in the face of minor everyday inconveniences: the bond formed beforehand often makes it possible, through dialogue, to defuse situations that a note from the concierge’s office or a registered letter might have exacerbated.

When living together becomes a source of friction: what are the solutions?

Despite everyone’s best intentions, disagreements can arise: persistent noise, water damage, or disagreements over the use of a communal area. Here are a few steps to take, in the following order:

1. Direct dialogue should always be the first port of call — a calm discussion is usually enough to resolve most situations.
2. The property management company, which can act as a neutral mediator between tenants or co-owners, remind parties of the building regulations and propose a practical solution.
3. The Rent Conciliation Commission, a free cantonal body in Switzerland, which should be contacted when the disagreement relates to the tenancy agreement or cannot be resolved amicably.
4. A neighbourhood mediation service, offered by some local authorities, for disputes that go beyond the strict scope of the tenancy agreement.

Our CI Gérance service is here to support you

The housing model itself can also foster interaction: this is the very essence of housing co-operatives, which Comptoir Immobilier supports in Switzerland. Find out more about the co-operatives supported by Comptoir Immobilier.

The role of a neighbourhood management service

Even with the best of intentions, initiatives are difficult to sustain over time without someone to take the reins. This is the role of CI City, developed by Comptoir Immobilier: to go beyond the technical management of a building to contribute to the quality of life and the vibrancy of the neighbourhood, whilst remaining the local point of contact in the event of disagreements between residents.

• A local presence: a point of contact on site, including to defuse a dispute before it escalates
• Regular community events, designed to foster the connections that subsequently make community life easier
• Communal and co-working spaces
• Collaborative tools for communication and mutual support
• Promotion of local businesses
• Local transport options: car-sharing, electric bikes

Discover CI City

In summary

Building relationships between neighbours requires neither a large budget nor complex organisation: a shared meal, a Neighbours’ Day celebration, a discussion group or a book box are enough to transform the atmosphere in a block of flats. A few rules of good neighbourliness (noise, odours, floors, communal areas, late-night parties) prevent most friction, and when a disagreement does arise, the property management, a conciliation committee or a mediation service can offer practical solutions.

Community life isn’t always plain sailing, but the bonds forged early on — and the goodwill they foster — remain the best way to turn a potential source of tension into a mere detail of everyday life.

FAQ

How can you break the ice with your neighbours? Take advantage of an existing community event (Neighbours’ Day, a communal meal, a community day) or, if you’re new to the area, send a simple welcome message.

What are the basic rules for being a good neighbour? Keep noise to a minimum during quiet hours, lay a rug to muffle the sound of footsteps, air out the kitchen after cooking, respect communal areas and let your neighbours know if you’re having a late party.

What should you do if you have a dispute with a neighbour? First, try to resolve the issue through direct dialogue, then ask the property management company to act as a mediator. If the disagreement persists, a tenancy conciliation committee (free of charge in Switzerland) or a local neighbourhood mediation service can step in.

What is a housing co-operative? A housing model where residents are members of the co-operative and play an active part in its running, with a strong emphasis often placed on communal spaces and collective initiatives.

What role can a neighbourhood management service play? Managing communal spaces, maintaining a local presence, organising events, facilitating interaction between residents and intervening in the event of a disagreement.