Being a good neighbour

Respect, connection, and community wellbeing in ŌCHT homes

Living well alongside others is an important part of being in a home and a community. Respectful and considerate behaviour helps create neighbourhoods where people feel safe, comfortable, and supported.

This page brings together simple, practical ideas for being a good neighbour; what that means, why it matters, and how to handle common situations respectfully.

A smiling woman with red hair wearing black sunglasses and a light-colored blouse with a fan pattern, sitting outside on a patio or porch.

Why neighbourliness matters

A good neighbour is exactly what you’d hope to have in your friends and family – someone who treats others as they’d like to be treated, too.

That means a good neighbour is:

  • considerate and respects people’s rights and privacy

  • tolerant and accepts people have different ways of doing things

  • concerned and notices when something is wrong and does something about it

  • responsible for the actions of their families, guests and pets

  • law abiding and reports illegal activity to the police

Everyday ways to be a good neighbour

A good neighbour works to get along. We’d like you to:

  • talk things over with your neighbour when there are problems

  • listen to other people’s points of view and try to come to an agreement that works for everyone

  • keep an eye on neighbours’ properties when they are away and report any suspicious activity

  • keep the noise coming from your place (music, parties, dogs, cars) reasonable, especially at night

  • be tolerant of neighbours’ children playing outside

  • keep shared driveways clear

  • keep your section and gardens tidy

An older man with gray hair and a mustache, wearing sunglasses and a black sports polo shirt with yellow accents, standing outdoors next to a white brick wall, squinting and looking at the camera.
A woman with glasses, smiling, holding a young boy with blonde hair and a serious expression outside in a garden area with green bushes and trees.

Noise

Keep noise at respectful levels

  • Be mindful of noise in the early morning, evening, and night

  • If you’re hosting visitors or playing music, check the volume

  • Close doors quietly and avoid loud footsteps on shared floors

Small changes can make a big difference to those around you.

Sorting it out:

  • Call Christchurch City Council Noise Control on 03 941 8999

    • THEN call ŌCHT on 0800 624 456

Anti-social behaviour

Anti-social behaviour is behaviour or activity that unreasonably interferes with others' enjoyment of their homes and community.

Find out more about what it is and how we work together to tackle it→

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A row of modern townhouses with white and brown brick exteriors, black roofs, wooden fences, and a parking lot in the foreground on a clear evening.

Parking issues

Be considerate with parking and vehicles

  • There is no allocated parking in most communities

  • Please ask your visitors to park offsite

  • Don’t park on the grass or gardens

  • Avoid blocking driveways or access points

  • Be aware of others when driving in shared carparks

A little courtesy makes it easier for everyone to come and go.

Sorting it out:

  • Call ŌCHT on 0800 624 456 and let us know what’s happening

Shared spaces

Respect shared spaces

  • Keep shared hallways, fire-escapes, gardens, and lounges tidy

  • Store personal items in appropriate areas, such as your tenanted property

  • Take pride in communal areas and clean up after yourself

Shared spaces work best when everyone takes responsibility for them.

Sorting it out:

  • Call ŌCHT on 0800 624 456 and let us know what’s happening

Two children playing basketball outdoors on a sunny day, one jumping to shoot or block the ball near the hoop, with houses and a wooden fence in the background.

Pets

Keep pets under control in shared areas

  • Clean up after them promptly

  • Respect any pet rules specific to your property type

Pets are part of many households, ensuring they are managed well helps neighbours feel comfortable and safe.

Soring it out:

  • If you have problems with dogs, call Christchurch City Council Animal Control on 03 941 8999

    • THEN call ŌCHT on 0800 624 456

A small white dog with curly fur sitting in the backseat of a maroon car, looking out the window with its tongue out. There are colorful shopping bags behind the dog.

Resolving issues

If there’s a problem, try talking to your neighbour first. This is often the easiest way to fix most issues.

If the problem isn’t fixed, write down the details of the problem, including what happens and when it happens. This can help make it clear what is going on. Your notes will also be useful if you need to take the matter further.

If you can’t resolve the problem, you should report it to the proper authorities.

Criminal matters

  • If you think someone is in physical danger, or it is a criminal matter, call the police immediately on 111

  • If you think police should be involved but it is not an emergency, call the police on 105

Nuisance

  • If you have problems with loud noise, call Christchurch City Council Noise Control on 03 941 8999

  • If you have problems with dogs, call Christchurch City Council Animal Control on 03 941 8999

Let us know

Please let us know if you have a problem that you’ve reported to the authorities. Call us on 0800 624 456.

ŌCHT has a responsibility to our community and we don’t tolerate behaviour that interferes with the peace, comfort, privacy or safety of those living nearby.

We’ll do everything we can to understand and help resolve the issue, where we can. We will work with you and anyone else involved to resolve things.