How to deal with “Dangerous Neighbors” and “Scales from the Eyes”, the increasing number of neighbor troubles during the moving season.

I’ll get it for you. I just need you to change to the specified fabric softener.”!

Spring is the season for moving. Many people may have started a new life in a new house. One of the concerns when moving is what kind of people your new neighbors will be like. As the saying goes, “Neighborhood troubles” can make your life in a new place unpleasant.

Neighborhood troubles are increasing every year,” says Nakazato of Vanguard Smith, a company that provides neighborhood trouble resolution support services. The company listens to the various types of problems received from subscribers and works between the two sides to bring them to an end.

Nakazato says that he hears so many complaints about the neighborhood every day that “most things don’t surprise me anymore,” but one thing that surprised even him was “the smell of fabric softener from the house next door.

At that time, however, the other party did not listen to her request to change to the specified fabric softener, saying, “We will provide it here,

If I can’t tolerate something that doesn’t match my standards, or if I think I’m not wrong, I’ll say so anyway. I feel that rather than an increase in the number of problems, the increase in complaints and troubles is due to the fact that society as a whole feels that it is okay to make assertions about anything if you feel uncomfortable.

A letter from a customer saying, “I want to be your friend…”

According to Ms. Nakazato, 70% of the problems are related to “noise” such as footsteps, the sound of washing machines and vacuum cleaners, and children’s voices.

Since many people do not know what kind of people live next door these days, sounds can trigger distrust and anxiety toward their neighbors, which may lead to a call to the police.

Sounds coming from next door at night: “Die! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you! This is scary. I can understand why you would want to call the police. However, the fact is that they were playing an online game using a headset and the voices were just getting louder.

Also, there is a thumping noise coming from the room next door in the apartment all day long, as if someone is banging on something. When the consultant interviewed the neighbor, it was clear that the noise was being made even when he was not home. After various interviews, they found that the water passing through the water pipes is causing a “water hammer phenomenon,” a loud sound as if a hammer is hitting the water pipes due to a sudden change in pressure inside the pipes.

In addition to sound, smells are also often a problem. Cigarette smoke from neighbors smoking on their balconies flows in and smells on their laundry. The smell of cooking is also a problem.

Some properties explicitly prohibit smoking on balconies, but if not, it is difficult to warn tenants.

Also, with the recent increase in the number of foreign residents, the smell of cooking with spices unfamiliar to Japanese people can be bothersome. However, it is not possible to prohibit cooking. In such cases, we have no choice but to take measures to protect ourselves, such as closing windows.

Although it is rare, there have been cases where a neighbor has sent a letter to the house asking to exchange contact information because they want to get to know each other.

The letter seems to have been sent with a light-hearted intention to exchange social networking IDs, but the recipient feels fear. In such cases, ignore the letter. If the person continues to contact you, peeks in your window, follows you, etc., it is better to consult the police.

When warned, one in six people react aggressively…not exchanges between the parties concerned.

Neighbor troubles include “The noise from next door or upstairs is too loud,” and “I’ve been told it’s too loud, but I have no idea what to do about it. What should I do?” The ratio is said to be half and half. In neighbor problems, there are cases where you are the victim and cases where you are sued. If your neighbor is nervous, he or she may file a complaint against you even if you are living a normal life.

What should you do if you are involved in this kind of neighbor trouble?

Unless you have an exceptionally good relationship with your neighbor, it is basically best to avoid communication between you and your neighbor.

According to a study by Norihisa Hashimoto, professor emeritus at Hachinohe Institute of Technology, about one in six people who receive attention from others react aggressively, such as by replying with harsh words to the person who has made the complaint.

When they are not aware that they are bothering the other person, such as by making household noises, they may become upset when they receive a warning, but in some cases, such as in a parking lot, they may not listen, saying, “This is fine.

When this kind of response is given, most people are either at a loss for words or end up fighting with each other over a sales pitch, and no resolution is reached. When making a complaint, we recommend that a third party, such as a management company, be brought in.”

For obviously unreasonable demands, such as the aforementioned concern about the smell of fabric softener,

“There is no need to listen to excessive demands. If you do, you may be asked to do so again and again.

In such cases, he recommends consulting a third party, such as a management company.

In the old days, when one moved into a new house, one would go to greet the three neighbors on the other side of the house, or in the case of apartment complexes, to the rooms on the left, right, upper and lower sides, but such customs have faded recently. However, the custom has faded away,

“When there are small children who might bother you with their footsteps or voices, or when you work from home and might make noise, it may be effective to go and greet them. In addition to building a good relationship, proper communication is the most important thing to avoid problems.