Living in a condo means having your own space while also sharing a surprising amount of it with the people around you. Hallways, elevators, parking garages, balconies, garbage rooms and even the walls between units all come with a bit of shared responsibility.

Most buildings have official rules and bylaws, of course. But some of the things that make condo living better for everyone never make it into the rulebook.

Here are a few of the unwritten ones.

Remember That Sound Travels

You do not have to tiptoe around your own home, but it helps to remember that condo walls and floors are not always as soundproof as they seem.

Music, TVs, workouts, barking dogs and even moving furniture can sound very different from the unit next door or the one below. This is especially worth keeping in mind early in the morning and later at night.

The goal is not silence. It is simply being aware that your home shares a few boundaries with someone else’s.

Keep Shared Spaces Shared

The hallway outside your door can feel like an extension of your home, particularly when you are short on storage. Shoes, umbrellas, strollers, bikes and delivery boxes have a way of slowly creeping out there.

But hallways, stairwells and other common areas need to stay accessible for everyone. Keeping your belongings inside your unit also makes the building feel cleaner and more welcoming.

The same idea applies to elevators, lobbies, garbage rooms and other shared spaces. Leave them the way you would like to find them.

Give People a Heads-Up

Sometimes you are going to make noise. You might be assembling furniture, having friends over or moving something particularly large through the building.

When you know something might affect your neighbours, a quick heads-up can make a big difference. People tend to be much more understanding when they know what is happening and when they can expect it to end.

Be Thoughtful With Deliveries

Online shopping has added a whole new layer to condo living. Packages can quickly pile up in lobbies and mailrooms, particularly during busy shopping seasons.

Pick up deliveries when you can, avoid leaving large boxes in common areas and break down cardboard before putting it in the recycling.

It is a small thing, but in a busy building, small things add up quickly.

Know the Rules for Pets

A friendly dog in the elevator might make one neighbour’s day and make another person very uncomfortable.

Keeping pets close in shared spaces, cleaning up after them and following your building’s pet rules helps everyone use common areas comfortably. If you are waiting for an elevator with your dog and someone seems hesitant, giving them a little extra space is an easy courtesy.

Deal With Small Problems While They Are Still Small

Neighbour issues do happen. A TV is consistently too loud. Someone keeps leaving belongings in the hallway. A parking space is being used incorrectly.

It can be tempting to let frustration build until the situation becomes a much bigger deal than it needed to be.

Depending on the issue and your building, a polite conversation may solve it. In other situations, particularly when there is an ongoing problem or a building rule involved, it may be better to contact your property manager or strata rather than confronting another resident.

Keeping things calm and factual usually gets everyone further.

Remember That Your Balcony Is a Shared Neighbour Experience

Your balcony might be part of your home, but what happens out there can easily affect the people living above, below and beside you.

Be mindful of music and late-night conversations, especially during warmer months when everyone has their windows open. Smoke, strong smells and water from cleaning or watering plants can also travel farther than you might expect.

It is also worth checking your building’s rules before adding planters, privacy screens, string lights or other décor. Different strata corporations have different restrictions on what can be attached to railings or the exterior of the building.

And when watering plants, take a quick look below first. Your thriving balcony garden is a lot less charming when your neighbour and their morning coffee get watered too.

A little awareness lets everyone enjoy their outdoor space without accidentally taking over someone else’s.

A Little Friendliness Goes a Long Way

You do not need to become best friends with everyone on your floor.

But holding the elevator, saying hello or helping someone who has their hands full contributes to the feeling of the entire building. It is much easier to give someone a little grace when they are a familiar face rather than a stranger behind another door.

A good building is not just about the property itself. It is also about the people who live there.

Most of us want the same basic things from our neighbours: a little consideration, a little respect and the ability to enjoy our homes in peace. Giving those things to the people around us is a pretty good place to start.