Signs of a good neighbour include taking the bins in, accepting deliveries, and keeping an eye on the property when the owners are on holiday.
A study of 2,000 adults revealed that watering plants and giving advance warning of a party are among the top 30 signs next-door is decent.
Offering to help with DIY and gardening tasks, assisting with carrying in shopping bags, and being a good listener if a neighbour is opening up to them, also featured in the list.
It emerged more than three-quarters (77%) believe their street has some good neighbours – while a confident 92% feel they are personally a great person to live next to.
The research, commissioned by Warburtons, found Brits say “hello” or similar to people on their street six times a week – almost daily.
One in five believe the pandemic helped bring them closer to their neighbours, with 18% now more invested in their community than ever before.
It also emerged 14% are happier to open up to others in their community since the pandemic, with one in four discussing the rising cost of living.
One in six have given or received advice from their neighbours in relation to saving money, with 26% relying on them more than ever when it comes to trying to save the pennies.
This includes borrowing items from a neighbour instead of buying them new (18%), and teaming up on a food shop to save on costs (14%).
Despite financial struggles, a quarter donate an average of £20 a month to community initiatives – including local charities, fundraising events and neighbourhood watch – while 18% are involved in other ways.
And while older Brits would traditionally call upon others for a “cup of sugar”, modern day versions of this include asking neighbours for DIY tools, coffee, phone chargers – and even lateral flow tests.
Jonathan Warburton, Chairman of Warburtons, said: “Today’s survey leaves no doubt that community and family values remain more important than ever to people across the country.
“We know how difficult the past two years have been for communities and that right now, in many ways, things aren’t getting any easier.
“However, it’s encouraging to see from our research that the little things can help make a difference – from taking out the bins, to saying a simple hello to your neighbours.”
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also showed neighbours socialise together by enjoying drinks at home (26%), barbeques (17%), street parties (15%) and exercising together (12%).
Proving how trusting Brits are of neighbours, more than a third (35%) would leave a spare key to their home with them, while 26% would ask them to pet-sit.
Jonathan added: “As a family business, we’re recognising the importance people place on their communities by launching The Warburtons Foundation – a series of financial pledges, donations and projects that we hope will help many families better manage today’s challenges.”
TOP 30 SIGNS OF A GOOD NEIGHBOUR:
- Accepts deliveries
- Keeps an eye on your home when you are away/on holiday
- Takes bins in for neighbours
- Warns you before they have a party
- Checks in on elderly or poorly neighbours
- Waters your plants when you're away
- Throws a football back over the fence if it has been kicked over
- Offers to go halves on a new fence between the two gardens
- Feeds your pets when you're on holiday e.g. the cat, the rabbit
- Recommends tradespeople to you
- Picks up litter out the front
- Gives a heads-up to others if they are having lots of guests over
- Lends you larger items e.g. jet wash, tyre pump
- Invites you round
- Offers to give you lifts
- Always offers to lend you small items you don't have e.g. milk, cooking ingredients
- Allows you to park on or over their driveway
- Listens to you if you are opening up to them
- Helps you take your shopping in when they can see you've got lots of bags
- Offers to mow your lawn when doing theirs
- Offers to help with DIY
- Brings you leftover baked goods/meals
- Helps direct you when parking e.g. on a driveway, parallel parking
- Offers to walk your dog when they're walking theirs
- Offers to help with car maintenance
- Shares doing the school run
- Gives you old kids' clothes/toys
- Lets you use a space in their home/garden to work
- Washes your car if they are washing theirs
- Babysits
