A Singapore Government Agency Website

Tips on Neighbourliness

A great neighbourhood is one that is caring, cohesive, safe, and beautiful. It is also where neighbours greet one another with warm smiles and take ownership of the neighbourhood they live in.

Creating such a neighbourhood begins with each of us. Start by getting to know your neighbours and practising a little thoughtfulness and patience. If we all play our part, we can build lasting friendships and strong communities in our estates.

Check out what you can do to be a good neighbour!

Get to know your neighbours

Listening and effective communication go a long way in building relationships. We have put together some comic strips for a light-hearted read on how you can form friendships with your neighbours!

Check out the following tips on forming good relations:

  • Talk to your neighbours to know them better

my neighbourhood-guidelines-new neighbour

 

  • Listen and compromise

my neighbourhood-guidelines-compromise

 

  • Invite your neighbours over for gatherings

my neighbourhood-guidelines-cake party

 

  • Share with your neighbours

my neighbourhood-guidelines-sharing

my neighbourhood-guidelines-borrowing

my neighbourhood-guidelines-baking

my neighbourhood-guidelines-new dish

Help your neighbours

Everyone loves a helping hand! Meeting your neighbours’ needs when they have one will definitely be greatly appreciated.

Here are some small gestures that can make a big difference:

  • Lend a helping hand

my neighbourhood-guidelines-water plant

my neighbourhood-guidelines-babysitting

my neighbourhood-guidelines-feeding

my neighbourhood-guidelines-house key

my neighbourhood-guidelines-newspaper

my neighbourhood-guidelines-helping

 

  • Play a part in preventing crime in your neighbourhood

my neighbourhood-guidelines-newspaper

Keep noise level down

Be considerate towards your neighbours and observe the quiet hours between 10:30pm and 7:00am.

Here are some tips on how you can play your part to make your neighbourhood a peaceful and quiet one:

  • Keep volume levels low at homemy neighbourhood-guidelines-karaoke
  • Avoid noisy recreational activities, especially during the quiet hours between 10:30pm and 7:00am
    my neighbourhood-night noise
  • Ensure that your children do not make too much noise while playing
  • Do not drag furniture across the floor
  • Use rubber stoppers on the base of your furniture to absorb noise
  • Ensure that surfaces are buffered to prevent noise transmissionEnsure that surfaces are buffered to prevent noise transmission
  • If you are carrying out DIY works, keep your neighbours informed beforehand. Avoid carrying out DIY works involving drilling and hammering during the quiet hours between 10:30pm and 7:00am

Be a responsible home owner

Take ownership of your home and neighbourhood, and play your part in creating a pleasant environment for all to live in.

Take note of these good practices:

  • Drain any excess water from wet laundry or mops before hanging them outmy neighbourhood-guidelines-dripping laundry

 

  • Do not urinate in the lifts or common areas
  • Bag refuse before disposing it into the rubbish chute
  • Service your air-conditioners regularly to prevent leaks or noise disturbances
  • Do not vandalise common areas or amenities

Ensure safety

Safety is a concern that can never be emphasised enough. Check out how you can make your home a safe and secure place for you and your loved ones.

Take a look at the following to ensure your neighbourhood’s safety and prevent accidents:

  • Do not place objects in a dangerous mannermy neighbourhood-guidelines-killer litter

 

  • Do not store flammable items or throw burning items down the garbage chutemy neighbourhood-guidelines-bulky refuse

 

  • Keep common areas clear of obstruction
  • Do not throw objects from your flat
  • Check your windows and air conditioners regularly to ensure they are securely mounted

Participate in community activities

Get to know your neighbours better in a fun and interactive way by participating in various community activities.

Take a look at how you can build up your community:

  • Make new friends and help build a strong and cohesive community by joining activities, such as sports and cultural activitiesmy neighbourhood-guidelines-gardening

Volunteer for the community

Gain a sense of purpose and satisfaction by helping out in your community.

Make a difference by joining a Grassroots Organisation. As a volunteer, you can build a strong network of friends and neighbours who can help one another in times of need. 

my neighbourhood-volunteer

Here’s how you can be a Grassroots Volunteer!

Be a responsible pet owner

Please be considerate towards your neighbour’s convenience and well-being if you keep pets.

Here are some tips on how you can be a considerate and responsible pet owner:

  • Take proper care of your pet and ensure that it does not disturb your neighbours
  • Leash your pet in public places
  • Keep your pet and its cage indoors
  • Clean up after your pets

Find out more about keeping pets in your home.

Useful Resources on Good Neighbourliness

We have developed some resources that provide ideas on being considerate and gracious neighbours. Click on the images below, download or print, and share them with your community!

“Then How” Poster Series

This fun poster series show how neighbourliness can still prevail in the new normal.

10.30pm, then how?

Auntie and uncle need help, then how?

Cannot see my smile, then how?

Everyone’s home, then how?

Miss my neighbours, then how?

Workout at home, then how?

Renovating, then how?

Got extras, then how?

Need to go digital, then how?

Community needs help, then how?


“Overcome as One” Poster

We can emerge stronger if neighbours support one another with greater care and consideration.

overcome-as-one

Good Neighbour Guidebook

Pick up tips on how you can be a good neighbour from the Good Neighbour Guidebook!