These are the Signs You’re a Good Neighbour in Modern Age – How Many Can You Tick Off?
Ever kept watch over next door while your neighbour jets off on holiday, hauled in their Amazon parcels or wheeled their bins back in? Congratulations, you might just be a perfect neighbour. A new survey has revealed exactly what makes a top-tier neighbour in 2025 – and top of the list is keeping an eye on the house when someone’s away, followed closely by taking in parcels and simply always saying hello. In fact, as many as 80% of those surveyed, said their neighbours were their pals, with the most chatting to friends who live on their street 13 times a month on average.
Watering plants, lending tools and even making sure the kids’ football is always thrown back also rank among the quiet acts that keep communities running smoothly.
A friendly dinner invite landed at 19%, while more than a quarter (26%) say looking after pets is a sure sign you’ve struck gold with the people next door. And for one in five, nothing beats a thoughtful chocolate-shaped surprise, while 15% appreciate anyone who picks up litter from the front garden. Meanwhile, 14% say setting up a street WhatsApp group helps everyone feel more connected.
According to the data, eight in ten think having good neighbours truly matters, with 58% insisting they’re vital for happiness at home. Two-thirds (66%) believe neighbourly bonds are the secret to happier communities.
Professor Andrea Wigfield, Director at the Centre for Loneliness Studies, is working with Lily O’Brien’s chocolates, which commissioned the research. Explaining why these local ties matter, she said: “It’s clear from the research that having a close relationship with the people around us can make a huge difference to our lives. Forming friendships within our local community or neighbourhood not only helps prevent and reduce loneliness by supporting meaningful connections with other people, but also enhances our sense of connection to place. It fosters a sense of belonging within the local neighbourhood, helping us feel more welcome, accepted, and confident to be ourselves.”
Broadcaster, podcaster and author Angela Scanlon, partnering with Lily O’Brien’s this Christmas said: “Christmas is a time for celebrating with loved ones and connecting with those nearest to us. Building friendships with neighbours is about more than having someone to rely on – it’s about feeling at home in your community and creating a sense of belonging. Someone minding your key or sending sugar over the fence. Whether its hand delivering a card or dropping by with a box of chocolates, why not reach out to your neighbours this festive season? You never know, you might just make a new lifelong friend.”
Professor Wigfield added her tips for building better bonds: “There are lots of simple ways to bring back the neighbourly spirit – it can start with something as small as saying hello instead of rushing by. Take the time for a quick chat, and before long you might find yourself sharing a coffee, a slice of cake, or even a few chocolates together.
“Whatever you decide to do, you can’t go wrong by sharing food. Sharing food is a wonderful way to create new bonds and strengthen existing ones – whether it’s over a cuppa, a piece of cake, a meal, or even something as simple as a chocolate.”
This Christmas, people can nominate a neighbour at lilyobriens.com/gift-next-door for the chance to win luxurious chocolates for every household on their street.
SIGNS YOU’RE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR IN THE MODERN AGE
- Bringing a souvenir back from holiday – 11%
- Keeping an eye on their house while they’re away – 75%
- Taking in parcels – 70%
- Keeping the noise down – 59%
- Always saying hello – 46%
- Bringing their bins in – 43%
- Giving advance warning when having a party – 32%
- Looking after their pets when they’re on holiday – 26%
- Never parking outside their house – 25%
- Giving lifts if needed – 22%
- Chatting over the garden fence – 22%
- Letting them use your tools – 22%
- Sharing surplus veg from your vegetable patch – 21%
- Watering their plants – 21%
- Inviting them over for Christmas drinks – 19%
- Throwing the football back over – 18%
- Giving them thoughtful gifts like chocolates – 18%
- Recommending tradespeople – 18%
- Not judging their takeaway habits – 17%
- Lending them sugar, eggs or milk – 16%
- Putting the kettle on when they pop over – 15%
- Picking litter up from their front garden – 15%
- Creating a WhatsApp group together – 14%
- Helping them with DIY – 13%
- Remembering their birthday – 12%