Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Screening between front doors - nosy neighbour

36 replies

Festipal · 13/05/2020 08:37

My next door neighbour has just got a Ring doorbell. Our front doors are exactly opposite each other, about 4 metres apart. Every time I leave the house (even to pop into our garage in my pjs!) it triggers the doorbell. She's already pretty nosy popping out when I'm on the driveway but now it's all the time! We can't have front fences due to deeds but I want to get some trees in pots or something to put down the border to screen us. It's DH's birthday next month so that can be the reason they're bought. We've had trees by the door for decoration for years but the last one died a couple of years ago and we haven't bothered to replace it.

DH bought me a video doorbell last year but I wouldn't let him put it up unless it was a 90 degree angle to the door, showing people coming up the drive, rather than flush to the door videoing the neighbour. She clearly has less scruples!

OP posts:
Fuss · 13/05/2020 10:27

Can you get a long rectangular pot and some bamboo?

Fuss · 13/05/2020 10:27

like this

Screening between front doors - nosy neighbour
Original poster
Festipal · 13/05/2020 12:34

I love that pot! Won't bamboo need a bit of controlling? Looks like it could be a good height though.

OP posts:
AlCalavicci · 13/05/2020 12:36

I would tell her she needs to move it as it is intruding on your privcy if she doesn't/ won't could you put something there that constantly sets it off , like a dream catcher or a hanging basket with lots of wafting flowers . Hopfully she will get sick of it going off and move the angle

averythinline · 13/05/2020 12:38

It should be fine in a pot - its when you plant it in the ground it can/will be difficult...
Personally for nosy buggers would use something prickly :) and more wildlife friendly - holly/hornbeam /berberis

RandomMess · 13/05/2020 12:38

When you say opposite do you mean next to each other or across the road/pavement?

ExD1938 · 13/05/2020 12:42

Yes, I was trying to visualise 'opposite', and I know I'm a dummy when it comes to gadgets and things but what is a Ring Doorbell? Why/how does it manage to spy on you?
Photographs might help.
I like that bamboo idea.

Apolloanddaphne · 13/05/2020 12:46

I am assuming OP's door is on the side of her house and her neighbours is opposite hers?

RandomMess · 13/05/2020 12:51

Just if they are opposite you need to literally put something in front of the door/at the bottom of the walkway leading up to the door...

Mixingitall · 13/05/2020 12:53

Bamboo is fine in pots.

Original poster
Festipal · 13/05/2020 12:56

Does the photo help? Yellow is our front doors. Pink is her video doorbell. To the right of the picture is our driveways.

Screening between front doors - nosy neighbour
OP posts:
ProseccoBubbleFantasies · 13/05/2020 12:56

Pampas grass

YorkieTheRabbit · 13/05/2020 12:57

Something like this, you could plant with climbers at the back then flowers at the front

Screening between front doors - nosy neighbour
YorkieTheRabbit · 13/05/2020 12:58

Should have added that the trellis will give some instant privacy Smile

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 13/05/2020 13:00

You need something that sets it off every second.

A windsock? A plant with trailing bits. An ornamental windmill. And obviously a wind turbine to set these things off...

Can you pay bored children to play games in your front garden?

Or just throw stones into a bucket for 24 hours non-stop.

Original poster
Festipal · 13/05/2020 13:00

Ah yes that planter with trellis could be ideal!

OP posts:
Original poster
Festipal · 13/05/2020 13:01

I absolutely love the idea of constantly setting it off. My DC are pretty bored so could employ that to good effect. But a dangly thing would be ideal as it's a wind tunnel there.

OP posts:
Herpesfreesince03 · 13/05/2020 13:03

Is it really something to get worked up about? You’re only leaving and entering the property. Presumably it would benefit you if your house was ever broken into. She could just as easily see you out of the window rather than watching you on camera

Haretodaygonetomorrow · 13/05/2020 13:05

She shouldn’t be pointing it straight at your house, you have a right to privacy, especially at such a close distance.

RandomMess · 13/05/2020 13:06

Planter with trellis and a windsock or dream catcher attached at both top corners!!!

Herpesfreesince03 · 13/05/2020 13:08

If you are that annoyed by it, there are laws that say a neighbour cannot have a camera pointed directly at your property

RockThrills · 13/05/2020 13:09

I'd start opening the door in the nude and just stare whilst smiling at the camera Grin

Rubychard · 13/05/2020 13:10

Loving the wind sock idea!!!

Khione · 13/05/2020 13:13

Pop to the garage every 5 minutes to get something - or take something. Or go to the car, put something on your doorstep, pick it up again.

Try and manage every 5 minutes for a day - it might just cure her from being nosy

MaggieFS · 13/05/2020 13:14

What about a nice row of those inflatable bendy waving things - should keep setting the video off and give you a nice bit of privacy at the same time Grin
Preferably ones which stare straight into the camera!

Screening between front doors - nosy neighbour