Please or to access all these features

Chat

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

Downstairs neighbour pulls his blind down and stares at me every morning when I take my daughter to school. what would you do?

177 replies

Usernamemustcontainspecialcharacters · 19/10/2026 08:35

I’m looking for some advice because this situation is really starting to affect me, and I don’t know what to do about it.
I live in a block of four flats, and my downstairs neighbour lives alone. Every morning when I take my four-year-old daughter to school, he pulls his blind down and stares at me through his window.
What makes me particularly uncomfortable is that I’ve noticed it happens when I’m taking my daughter to school, but not when I’m on my own or when my partner is with me.
It’s happened again this morning, and I’ve been left feeling sick to my stomach. I don’t know why he’s doing it, but the fact that it keeps happening in this particular situation is making me increasingly uncomfortable.
I should be able to leave my own home with my daughter without feeling watched or anxious. I don’t want confrontation with a neighbour, but I’m starting to dread these encounters, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to want to feel comfortable where I live.
Has anyone experienced anything similar? Would you ignore it, speak to the landlord, or report it if it continued? I don’t want to make assumptions about his intentions, but I also don’t want to dismiss how uncomfortable this is making me feel.
I’d appreciate honest advice, especially from anyone who’s dealt with a neighbour who repeatedly watches them like this. Am I overthinking it, or would you find it unsettling too?

OP posts:
saveforthat · 20/10/2026 17:41

saveforthat · 20/10/2026 17:41

I don't think a sign is enough. All residents need to agree and sign consent. We looked into this in our block and whoever owns the camera becomes the "data controller" with associated duties.

Sorry quoted wrong post

housemouse11 · 20/10/2026 20:05

Sounds horrible, OP. In the meantime I know this sounds a bit strange but to block his view could your child carry an umbrella to shield her face? My DD is similar age and would find walking with a cute umbrella fun even if not raining, and it would at least it would block the view of your DD until you made it to your car. Then at the car let her walk in front and open the first door to block his view and then open the back door and let your daughter settle in. I think with the bins I would move them elsewhere if possible. I know if someone was staring at DD like this and I told DH, he would be furious and would confront the man. But I can understand not wanting to cause more issues too.

I would also look to move to somewhere more private. Your DD is very young it may be years of this kind of behaviour and I think it’s something to think about.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page