Bully XL dog living next door - the importance of meeting your new neighbour

New Home New Neighbours

Our Surveyors recommend getting to know your new neighbours before you commit to purchase. 

Meet your new neighbours

When our surveyors carry out surveys we always recommend that you meet your new neighbours before you commit to purchase your new home.  Often having a ‘cup of tea’ meeting with your neighbours can help to find out more about the area and your property.  If you neighbours have lived in the next door house for several years they may be able to point out any problems they may have experienced and likewise any good local information such as an excellent plumber or beautiful  park as well as letting you know which day is ‘bin day’ and which ‘bin’ goes out which week!

Neighbourly neighbours

If your new property is a semi-detached or terraced house or flat  then meeting with your new neighbours can be very helpful as there are often elements of the property that are ‘shared’. 

For example: chimneys, parapet walls, firewalls all fall into this category. 

If you new neighbour has had a problem with dampness for example coming in through the chimney due to loose flaunchings, poor pointing, cracking or similar then this can affect your property too.  If you work together to fix this issue may be sharing costs, which may include costly scaffolding, then having a friendly neighbour is very helpful.

Party Wall Etc Agreement

Getting on with your neighbours when your property is semi-detached or terraced is always beneficial when having to carry out work on your property.   When carrying out work such as the removal of a chimney in a semi-detached or terraced property when the chimney sits on the Party Wall you will require a Party Wall Notice to carry out work on them.

Party Structures Defined - Party Wall Etc. Act 1996

A structure that both parties enjoy the use of or benefit from.  An example of this would be where both parties gain support from a wall or utilise a chimney or chimneys.

A Nation of Dog lovers

The UK is known for its love of pets and particularly dogs and cats.  Years ago dog owners used to have to have a licence to own a dog however, this was abolished in 1987 after which a series of consultations led to the dog control measures contained in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.  The dog licence was introduced originally in the Victorian era with the Dog Licences Act 1867 originally being the equivalent of approximately £45 today a large sum at the time but over the years with inflation etc became such a small amount in 1971 being 37 pence with the cost of administration being far more than the revenue raised and with less than half dog owners purchasing a licence it was later abolished in the UK but remained in Northern Ireland.

There is much debate with the increasing number of dogs and dangerous dogs whether a dog licence should be a requirement again.

 

 

Neighbours and dogs

You may have neighbours with a dog or dogs and you may be a dog lover or not or have no preference but this can be a factor when considering purchasing a new property.  Meeting with your neighbours ahead of committing to purchase can help with this to establish if they have any dogs and if so are they friendly or not. 

Bully XL to be banned?

You may be aware that some breeds of dogs in the UK are illegal, at time of writing this article, these are the Pit Bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro breeds.  Since the  horrific Bully XL attacks in Bordesley Green, Birmingham and Stonnall, Staffordshire many have called for the breed of dog in these terrible attacks, namely an American bully XL and Staffordshire bull terrier crossbreed, to be added to the UK illegal dog breeds via the Dangerous Dog Act.

Is a Staffy mix a dangerous dog?

Is the Staffy Bull Bullmastiff a dangerous dog is a question often asked.  A Staffy Bull Bullmastiff is a cross between the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the Bullmastiff breed and is known to be an  affectionate calm breed inheriting some of the best characteristics from both of their parents.  However, some would say they can become dangerous.

Whether a dog is a large 30 kg or over or a medium sized working dog or indeed a smaller breed dogs can have the  potential to become aggressive.  Many would argue it is all about training your pet from a young age however when a dog does become dangerous the cases make the headlines and consequences can be tragic.

Good dogs

Dogs are known as "man's best friend" and can truly be great companions whether you have a large Great Dane, medium sized Working Cocker Spaniel or small Yorkshire terrier we certainly are a nation of dog lovers.  Dogs too of course can be great help as  working dogs such as guided dogs for the blind, Police dogs and sheep dogs for example. 

Buyer beware

Talking to your potential new neighbours can be very helpful in establishing if there are any difficulties with dogs in your neighbourhood.  Of course, this is something that can change as and when the government brings in new legislation and/or owners move to another location.

 

“Your neighbour is your nearest friend” – Lailah Gifty Akita

On the day of the building survey our building surveyors knock on the door of the immediate neighbours to the left and right of your property or in the case of a flat additionally above and below.  If the neighbour answers, during the Covid pandemic this was often through a letterbox!, then a quick chat to get to know them and ask of any problems or helpful information is invaluable. 

When considering purchasing a property if the neighbours' garden is unkept, there are lots of cars on the drive and roadside, there are signs of challenging pet behaviour, the adjoining fence is broken, etc.  all are indicators of living next door to a challenging neighbour!

We always recommend taking the time to get to know your neighbours.