BAD neighbours are not only stressful to live next to, they can also adversely affect the sale of a property, with would-be buyers looking for tell-tale signs of potentially problematic neighbours, new research suggests.

Overall, in Britain some 28 per cent of people have fallen out with a neighbour, with the most common disputes relating to noise, pets and rubbish, according to the study from GoCompare.

The top grump is loud music, shouting and banging doors, which 40 per cent claim is the cause of a fall out, followed by 25 per cent over barking and pet fouling and 16 per cent connected with rubbish or junk being left in the garden.

Some four per cent fell out over a parking space, 13 per cent due to overgrown trees and hedges, 11 per cent over maintenance to a boundary fence or hedge, 10 per cent over damage to property or a car and 10 per cent also over a boundary dispute.

The research reveals how this might affect the sale of a home. It found that 48 per cent of buyers would be put-off a house if the garden of a neighbouring property was littered with rubbish.

“Most people get along well with their neighbours, however, not all neighbours are easy to live next to,” said Ben Wilson, GoCompare’s home insurance spokesperson.

“If you have an issue with a neighbour, the first thing you should do is to have a friendly chat with them, as they may be completely unaware of any upset they may be causing.”