One in four Danes say they have been involved in a neighbour dispute over the past 5 years, reveals a survey carried out by the analytical company A&A Analyse among 1,262 respondents.
The vast majority of the conflicts arise because of noise, such as loud music and shouting.
Other common causes for disputes include unfriendly attitudes when people meet on the stairs, in the courtyard or when they accidentally bump into each other, as well as unpleasant odours and pets.
Mediation services
To help residents resolve their problems efficiently, the housing company FSB has established a special mediation group.
“We have 15 volunteer mediators to help resolve problems quickly,” Anders Peo Fajers, a projects manager at FSB, told Jyllands-Posten.
“The sooner we start, the better chance we have at solving the conflicts and the greater the probability that they don’t erupt again.”
Good neighbours valued
The situation is the worst in Copenhagen, where every second citizen has been involved in a neighbour dispute, according to a TNS Gallup survey carried out for the insurance company Gjensidige Forsikring in June.
Meanwhile, nine out of 10 Danes believe good neighbour relationships are important.
