People living in Newcastle have the most issues with neighbours, with almost three-quarters (73%) of residents admitting to having previously experienced a legal dispute or argument.
Belfast ranks second, as 61% of residents are also inclined to disagree with those on their street, while Glasgow follows very closely behind in third place with 59%, Compare the Market research has revealed.
Anna McEntee, from the home insurance team at Compare the Market, said: “While disputes regarding noise or parking might have an easy solution, disagreements involving damages could be slightly trickier to resolve.
“Damage to your property can be very costly, so ensure you have an adequate level of home insurance to ensure you are as protected as possible. Some home insurance policies also offer legal cover as an optional extra, which is good to have should the dispute end in having to pay for solicitors’ fees or court proceedings.
“Also, make sure you keep records of any communication with neighbours and take photos of any issues. This could help you further down the line if you do find yourself having to make a claim.
“If you’re unsure of the best course of action, government websites and Citizens Advice are good places to find information on your legal rights, and contacting your local council could be an option if you need additional support to resolve the issue.”
Almost half (49%) of homeowners in the UK have previously experienced a legal dispute or argument with a neighbour.
Despite almost half (46%) of those surveyed saying they would choose to speak with the neighbour directly in the first instance, more than one in five (22%) homeowners would contact the police if a neighbour inflicted damage to their property.
Younger generations are more likely to go straight to the police, with 27% of those aged between 16 and 34 suggesting that this is the best way to deal with damages incurred by a neighbour.
The majority of those aged between 16 and 24 would also go straight to the police if they spot Japanese Knotweed in a next-door garden, with 18% of them saying this as the most common way to deal with the plant problem.