Our homes are our sanctuary. Even the smallest spaces like a loft or condo unit tune out the noise and chaos of a long day. Peace, comfort, convenience, and privacy are just some of the simple pleasures of living in your own little world. However, when you are residing in any condominium, remember that on the other side of the fence—or wall—is a person with the same sentiments.
Having (and being) a good neighbor is instrumental in the overall harmony and peace in the best condo. Here are some simple but impactful ways you can be a blessing to the people next door:
1. Hold the Door
Before you get to your own condo units, you all go through the same doors, pass by the same lobby, and get in the same elevators. You are bound to bump into someone while on the way to your own unit. So, when you see a co-condo unit owner struggling to get their groceries through the door or rushing to reach the elevator, take a second to hold the door while they pull themselves together! It’s such a simple gesture, but it means so much!
2. Keep it Hush Hush
The saying ‘walls have ears’ has a literal meaning in a loft condo. Especially since the only thing separating you from your neighbor is a wall! Those full-blasting speakers, heartfelt karaoke nights, and amplified phone calls can already be quite a pain when you are in separate structures. Imagine the magnitude when it is in a tightly-packed building.
When your noise gets out of control, remember that next door, a toddler may wake from their nap; a work-from-home yuppie may lose their focus; or a remote learning student may have a hard time hearing their lessons. This rule doesn’t only apply to the wee hours of the night, but also round the clock!
3. Clean As You Go
Take this elementary school rule from the corners of your own space to the hallways, the grounds and basically the whole premises. When this practice becomes second nature to every resident, the overall environment improves significantly. It also keeps pests, mold, mildew, and odor at bay and preserves the property’s value. May it be as simple as not letting the dishes pile up, dusting out cobwebs and segregating your trash, to regularly cleaning out your refrigerator from rotten food. Even the slightest efforts make a world of difference!
4. Maintain Proper Air Circulation
A unique feature in a condo design is the exhaust and vents systems. The smell from cooking and smoking cigarettes can make its way to your condo buddies’ rooms. It can impede other residents’ comfort and even health. Taking this small detail into consideration makes you a responsible neighbor.
For example, avoid smoking in the complex and choose food ingredients without strong aromas. If you cannot shun these two, take your cigarette to the designated zones, and install a kitchen range vent hood that sucks the smell before it circulates. Purifiers and diffusers also help keep the air clean and fragrant.
5. Communicate Concerns Properly
There’s no perfect community, and there will be slip-ups and bumps on the road. When this happens, proper communication is vital. To avoid conflict, use the appropriate channel and seek the administration's help to air out your concerns. Do not forget to show appreciation and humbly apologize when the situation calls for it. Aim for a harmonious relationship with your condo neighbors through compassion and understanding.
Though it is a shared space, respecting boundaries is a mark of a good condo neighbor. Kindness and consideration are the universal languages that all condo dwellers speak. Thus, living becomes more pleasant when people follow these unspoken rules. Together, you can make condo living an experience that’s one for the books!