11 Things That Instantly Make You the Worst Neighbor in Indiana

Nobody wants to be the neighbor everyone complains about. But sometimes, Indianans don’t realize their habits are annoying the folks next door.

Whether it’s blasting music at all hours, letting your dog turn someone else’s yard into a bathroom, or parking like the world revolves around you, there are plenty of ways to make enemies in your own neighborhood.

These are some of the worst neighbor habits Indianans overlook that can make you the talk of the block—for all the wrong reasons.

Ignoring Noise Etiquette

We all love a good party, but if your neighbors know your weekend plans because they can hear your music through the walls, it’s a problem.

Noise complaints are one of the biggest issues Americans report, especially in busy cities. In New York City, noise complaints topped the 311 hotline with over 738,000 calls in 2024.

No one wants to listen to your 2 AM karaoke session or hear your subwoofer shaking the walls.

Just be considerate. Keep the volume reasonable, especially at night. If you’re having people over, let your neighbors know, or at least turn it down when it gets late.

The occasional gathering is fine, but if your place sounds like a nightclub every weekend, don’t be surprised when your neighbors start giving you the side-eye.

Messing Up Trash Day

Trash day isn’t complicated—take your bins out on time, don’t leave them sitting out for days, and don’t let your garbage spill all over the place.

If your trash is constantly a mess, you’re not just annoying your neighbors—you’re inviting pests.

Keep your trash contained and follow the collection schedule. It keeps the neighborhood looking clean and avoids unnecessary issues.

Letting Kids Run Wild

Kids playing outside is great. But if they’re running through other people’s yards, screaming at the top of their lungs at 6 AM, or messing with cars, you’re going to hear about it.

Unsupervised kids can cause all sorts of issues, from accidental damage to being a general nuisance.

Teach your kids about boundaries and respect for other people’s property. Making sure they play safely and don’t bother the whole neighborhood keeps everyone happy.

Neglecting Your Yard and Home Exterior

Look, few people expect your house to look like a Pinterest dream. But if your yard is turning into a jungle and your house looks abandoned, your neighbors are going to be annoyed.

A messy property doesn’t just bring down your home’s curb appeal—it makes the whole neighborhood look bad.

Mow the lawn, trim the bushes, and pick up random junk lying around. It’s really not that hard, and it keeps the place looking nice for everyone.

If your home is the one that looks like a haunted house, don’t be surprised if you get some HOA letters or complaints from neighbors who are sick of looking at your overgrown mess.

Being a Parking Menace

Parking is already a pain in a lot of neighborhoods, so don’t make it worse by being that person who parks like they own the whole block.

Blocking driveways, hogging multiple spots, or constantly parking in front of someone else’s house is a surefire way to make enemies.

You’re not the only person who needs to be careful; if you have guests over, make sure they aren’t blocking driveways or taking up too much space.

A little common courtesy goes a long way in keeping neighborhood peace.

Letting Your Pets Be a Problem

We get it—your dog is adorable. But if your pup is barking nonstop, roaming the neighborhood unsupervised, or leaving “presents” in other people’s yards, that’s not cute.

A LendingTree survey found that problem pets are one of the biggest complaints among neighbors.

Be a responsible pet owner. Train your dog not to bark at every leaf that blows by, clean up after them, and make sure they aren’t terrorizing the neighborhood.

Your neighbors will appreciate it.

Being Unfriendly or Just Plain Rude

You don’t have to be best friends with your neighbors, but at least acknowledge their existence.

Nothing is more awkward than living next to someone for years and never getting so much as a nod or a “hello.” About 24% of Americans admit they dislike at least one neighbor, often because they seem rude or unfriendly.

A simple wave or small talk about the weather won’t kill you.

Being approachable makes life easier if you ever need to borrow a tool, get a package that was delivered to the wrong house, or deal with a community issue.

Ignoring Community Rules

Some neighborhoods have rules—whether it’s a homeowners’ association (HOA) or just unspoken agreements among neighbors. Blatantly ignoring them is a fast track to annoying everyone around you.

If there are guidelines about yard maintenance, noise levels, or where you can put your trash bins, follow them.

It’s not about being controlled—it’s about making sure everyone can enjoy the neighborhood without unnecessary drama.

Throwing Constant Ragers

Everyone likes a good get-together, but if your house is party central every weekend, you might be pushing your luck.

If your neighbors can hear your music, smell the bonfire, and see the drunk people stumbling to their cars at 3 AM, you’re probably not winning any popularity contests.

Be considerate with how often and how late you throw gatherings. If you’re planning something big, give your neighbors a heads-up.

And, for the love of everything good, make sure your guests aren’t being obnoxious outside.

Being Passive-Aggressive

Leaving anonymous notes, giving dirty looks, or making snide comments instead of addressing issues directly just creates more tension among neighbors.

If something your neighbor does bothers you, talk to them like an adult. Passive-aggressive behavior makes everything worse.

A calm, polite conversation usually goes a lot further than a note that says, “Maybe if you mowed your lawn, the rest of us wouldn’t have to look at your jungle.”

Being Nosy

Nobody likes a nosy neighbor. If you’re constantly peeking through your blinds, eavesdropping on conversations, or interrogating people about their personal lives, you’re going to make people uncomfortable or downright angry.

Give your neighbors space.

Friendly small talk is fine, but if you’re acting like the neighborhood detective, you’re doing too much.