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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be concerned about my neighbours?

389 replies

Lynn981 · 06/10/2025 22:57

My neighbours are a young couple with a toddler. I normally seem them but I haven’t for 3 days now. All their lights and curtains hahe been drawn but their cars are still on the drive and haven’t moved. Or am I over thinking? It just seems a bit unusual. We are rural and you can’t really get to anywhere without a car, not even local shop. Also they’re not abroad or anything, as I actually spoke to the lady neighbour the other day and she said someone from the council was meant to be coming round

OP posts:
Scandalicious · 07/10/2025 18:00

Also, why was someone from the council coming round? Did she say? That in itself seems odd.

Scandalicious · 07/10/2025 17:58

It seems by far most likely they are away but as a pp said there is a nagging concern. Some of the stories on here are so sad. Have you tried asking any other neighbours if they know if they are away?

BreakfastOfChampignons · 07/10/2025 17:53

Can you track them down on something like Facebook messenger? We went away recently and my neighbour messaged to see if we were away(/ok) because they noticed we had a parcel outside and did they want us to take it in

Skybluepinky · 07/10/2025 17:49

Go knock on the door, if no answer contact the police for a welfare check, could be a faulty boiler.

Whatinthedoopla · 07/10/2025 17:48

Are you sure someone didn't pick them up in their own car?

Maybe they left the lights on to make it look like someone is home

LivelyMintViper · 07/10/2025 17:45

Knock. Peer through windows. Police and welfare check. Better safe ....

mnahmnah · 07/10/2025 17:43

I would assume it was a last minute trip away and they didn’t manage to catch you before they went. Airport taxi. I would still knock again though. Can you see through any windows at all?

wordler · 07/10/2025 17:21

Can you find the Mum on social media and message her? I managed to do that for a neighbour I didn't know when her dog turned up in my garden and I couldn't get hold of her any other way.

deeahgwitch · 07/10/2025 17:17

Owl55 · 07/10/2025 16:06

This happened to me and a neighbour .I was reluctant to knock and check and then I did after 3 days , the husband had died and his wife was wheelchair bound couldn’t call for help , we had to break in and called the police , sadly she died a few days later. I always regretted not acting sooner .

Oh Lordy @Owl55that is so sad.

Theextraordinaryisintheordinary · 07/10/2025 16:59

Maybe on hols. Taxi to the airport.

Maddy70 · 07/10/2025 16:44

Sounds like they have gone away somewhere and been picked up in a taxi

sunflowersintheday · 07/10/2025 16:23

WIcurious · 07/10/2025 16:21

Curtains just happen around me. I rarely open or close them. :)

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Don't you like to open them in the morning, and let the sunshine in? Greet the day? Open the windows?.

WIcurious · 07/10/2025 16:21

TeddySchnauzer · 07/10/2025 16:06

WTF?! You don’t open your curtains? Why on earth not? Your neighbours will be thinking it’s a doss house

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Curtains just happen around me. I rarely open or close them. :)

sunflowersintheday · 07/10/2025 16:20

caramac04 · 07/10/2025 15:57

Sorry, I’m getting over this nasty bug and have been doom scrolling. I’ve been upset about stuff I’ve read so probably I’m being a bit over emotional.

Don't apologise! There are some sad stories on here. With a bit of luck they've just gone on holiday, but in all honesty, it's good to check on people.
Get well soon 😊

sunflowersintheday · 07/10/2025 16:17

OodlesTheTalkingPoodle · 07/10/2025 16:12

I never open my blinds although I do open my curtains. I don't want people seeing into my house lol

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That's different, though. Blinds are for privacy and shade. Curtains are night - night.

UrticaDioca · 07/10/2025 16:15

If they asked you to watch their house in the past, wouldn't you have their number?

sunflowersintheday · 07/10/2025 16:14

TeddySchnauzer · 07/10/2025 16:06

WTF?! You don’t open your curtains? Why on earth not? Your neighbours will be thinking it’s a doss house

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Yeah, I don't get it, but ....

OodlesTheTalkingPoodle · 07/10/2025 16:12

TeddySchnauzer · 07/10/2025 16:06

WTF?! You don’t open your curtains? Why on earth not? Your neighbours will be thinking it’s a doss house

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I never open my blinds although I do open my curtains. I don't want people seeing into my house lol

Owl55 · 07/10/2025 16:06

This happened to me and a neighbour .I was reluctant to knock and check and then I did after 3 days , the husband had died and his wife was wheelchair bound couldn’t call for help , we had to break in and called the police , sadly she died a few days later. I always regretted not acting sooner .

TeddySchnauzer · 07/10/2025 16:06

FoodYummyFood · 07/10/2025 00:16

Do people really care about closed curtains I only say this as someone who never opens my curtains and doesn't socialise with my neighbours... OP no harm knocking if someone knocked on my door I wouldn't be upset

WTF?! You don’t open your curtains? Why on earth not? Your neighbours will be thinking it’s a doss house

caramac04 · 07/10/2025 15:57

Sorry, I’m getting over this nasty bug and have been doom scrolling. I’ve been upset about stuff I’ve read so probably I’m being a bit over emotional.

caramac04 · 07/10/2025 15:56

i think the most likely explanation is that they have gone away but I would still have that nagging concern about the child.
At the risk
of overstepping the mark, I would try again and if no response I would call the police non-emergency number to ask for a welfare check.

Original poster
Lynn981 · 07/10/2025 15:52

Couldn’t hear any noise or the dog. It’s just strange because their living room window can be seen from my landing. And the light is always on at night. And it isn’t. Perhaps they are abroad, but they didn’t mention it. Any holidays in the past they have let me know when I’ve seen them, just so I can keep an eye out on their house

OP posts:
Original poster
Lynn981 · 07/10/2025 15:51

Hello, sorry. I’ve been at work. I did knock this morning around 10, before leaving. But no answer.

OP posts:
Namechange29383929383 · 07/10/2025 15:50

Just give them a knock. The likelihood is that they’ve gone away and tried to make the house appear occupied by leaving cars on the drive and closing the curtains or they’re holed up with a sickness bug.

If you don’t get a response just keep an eye over the next few days and if there any signs of something more sinister that develop then put a call in with 101.