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AIBU?

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Original poster

Someone IS living next door to me

156 replies

Searchingforananswer2023 · 10/05/2026 11:13

House next door converted to a HMO and I posted before as I was worried.

I've been hearing footsteps going up and down the stairs for a while and thought it was my imagination. No windows are open, no lights are ever on there is no sound of a toilet flushing and the bins are never put out.

Just after midnight a car was running outside my house across the drive. I turned on my camera and the door next door opened to accept a takeaway.

I have been off work for a week and have not seen anyone enter or exit.

Unbelievablely strange

OP posts:
Bubblebathbefore8 · 11/05/2026 19:41

I reckon a criminal hiding out

FlowerSticker · 11/05/2026 19:40

We've loved here 13 years.

We have a family of 6 that lives next door, 4 kids,and 2 dogs... sometimes don't see them for weeks at a time.... Never seen them walk their dog.

Doesn't mean they don't live there 😂

Kodchloe · 11/05/2026 19:36

Sounds like some one is squatting there and going in & out in the cover of darkness. I had a neighbour like that.
Turned out they just illegally squatted as their visa had been turned down.

Jane143 · 11/05/2026 19:30

Ghostorno · 11/05/2026 19:28

Does the mystery neighbour have a vehicle? Is the house directly opposite the dodgy HMO? It’s a bit far fetched but just wondering if there’s some kind of surveillance op going on.

thats actually a very good thought!! Definitely could be

Ghostorno · 11/05/2026 19:28

Does the mystery neighbour have a vehicle? Is the house directly opposite the dodgy HMO? It’s a bit far fetched but just wondering if there’s some kind of surveillance op going on.

CoCoJones26 · 11/05/2026 19:28

Maybe a cannabis farm?

MibsXX · 11/05/2026 19:24

Searchingforananswer2023 · 10/05/2026 12:04

Definitely not squatters, but how can you be up until midnight with no lights on? If you are getting a takeaway why not put out rubbish? The weather is great for drying, why not hang out your clothes and open a window to air the house?

I'm not nosey just aware of my surroundings as both properties either side of me have been empty for two years and someone is habitually in my garden at night.

I dont have lights on at night, boith son and I like gaming so we prefer to spend our power allowance on that . We also keep windows shut and curtains closed to try to keep residual heat indoors. And as both wear headsets, if we had neighbours they wouldn't hear us! And when do a LOT of foks need rescuing ? late at night, might explain the number plate switching... if its not bothering you physically, I'd just live my own life in peace if I were you, life is too short

Itsnotallaboutyoulikeyouthink · 11/05/2026 19:20

My neighbours only leave their house to go to work. They get their food delivered every single night! Even at weekends they don’t do anything I can hear one of them constantly in his bedroom. But not my house so not my concern.

LouiseK93 · 11/05/2026 19:18

Sounds like my kind of life!

Beachtastic · 11/05/2026 19:11

They might be property guardians to deter squatters/vandalism, or security personnel on rotation? If it's being converted, having someone on site might be an insurance requirement?

MyDeftDuck · 11/05/2026 19:09

TroysMammy · 10/05/2026 11:25

Or a cannabis farm.

Show quote history

Yes, definitely a cannabis farm. Can we come and watch when they get raided? 😂😂

ForPinkCrab · 11/05/2026 19:09

Don’t want to worry you but we have had an influx of HMOs in our city and because I live in a big Victorian terrace a lot are being converted I have 3 opposite me . I recently found out (but not common knowledge in the street) that 1 is a halfway house and the other for recovering addicts, , there is often only one or two living there as there is a high turnaround. They are under very strict curfew orders ,and not allowed to go out or be ‘seen’ as such . I’ve seen one or two put the bins out but as a rule it’s almost as if there’s no one there

Miyagi99 · 11/05/2026 19:08

It’s not winter, I never put my lights on at this time of year, haven’t for a few months.

tripleginandtonic · 11/05/2026 19:02

Sounds like a mumsnetter, other than the fact they opened the door to a takeaway

Tryagain26 · 11/05/2026 18:58

If they don't bother you why are you so interested?
To be honest I don't notice when my neighbours come in or go out

Chasbo · 11/05/2026 18:58

Grow house?

The gardeners are normally locked in.

Alouest · 11/05/2026 18:56

Inform the police about the person or people coming into your back garden and send them the video footage. I was asked for doorbell footage of something that happened in my street and the police told me it was really helpful to get that kind of thing and that sometimes they did recognise a previous offender in videos they get.

In fact, I had a follow up email from someone thanking me for the high quality video and saying to please send anything else suspicious through. I have not since seen anything worse than foxes investigating my recycling bin so it hasn't been necessary!

Jane143 · 11/05/2026 18:48

I’d guess a cannabis farm. Is there a smell?

TeaPot496 · 11/05/2026 18:46

Oh well, at least they're quiet 😂

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 11/05/2026 18:42

Someone recovering from illness or surgery. Or with severe acrophobia?

Waspy43 · 11/05/2026 18:41

Waspy43 · 11/05/2026 18:40

That’s funny 🤣

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Am no I don’t go out in the winter it’s far too cold 🤣

oldmoaner · 11/05/2026 18:41

Maybe they are in bed so don't have lights on or in a room at back of house. If your really concerned go and knock the door if someone answers just say I'm from next door and just wanted to check everything's ok as I've heard movement but not seen anyone. If they say your nosey, ok, you are, but at least you'll know.

Waspy43 · 11/05/2026 18:40

SavedByTheBells · 11/05/2026 18:21

I can't imagine a situation where I wouldn't notice if my neighbours never had any lights on. Don't you go out in the winter?

What is the problem with your family that it makes you unable to notice things?

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That’s funny 🤣

Waspy43 · 11/05/2026 18:38

😂

Monty36 · 11/05/2026 18:34

Butterme · 10/05/2026 20:04

Honestly if these people aren’t doing you any harm then I’d not do anything.

You know there’s someone in there.
They’re not doing anything to disrupt you.
So as long as you have cameras front and back, then I’d not think too much about it.

There could be a million reasons as to why they’re trying to keep a low profile and none of us will ever be able to guess what it is as we just don’t know.

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All very normal. Car parts coming in at the dead of night and switching number plates. Plenty of people do that.

Criminals I suspect would want to keep a low profile. Who changes number plates ? Criminals do.
Normal people would put on a special number plate at a garage or in broad daylight. Or early evening at a push. Not the dead of night.

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