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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want neighbour to sit on my doorstep?

50 replies

Jasmin82 · 27/01/2018 17:03

Before Christmas, someone broke into my house. They didn't steal anything, due to the dog barking as soon as they got into the house. I replaced the bolt that they broke on the rear garden gate and thought little more of the incident.
Over the last couple of weeks, someone has broken the bolts on the front door, and someone put tape over the keyhole while I was out at work. I have reported all incidents to the police, but there is only speculation of who is behind the most recent ones.
As my father owns the house, I ran the idea of installing one of the Ring doorbells on the front of the house and a CCTV camera at the back. He agreed and I bought one.
I was starting the installation today when one of my neighbours asked what I was doing. I explained and he got annoyed and said I was being unreasonable and invading his privacy. I stated that I was installing the doorbell in a place where it wouldn't pick up the coming and goings of his house. He then said that, as his landlord doesn't allow smoking in the property, he sits on my doorstep when he goes out for a cig and he doesn't want me spying on him?!
Surely, he can stand outside his house or sit on his own doorstep?

OP posts:
Original poster
Jasmin82 · 27/01/2018 17:42

I haven't seen any fag ends, so can only assume he is putting them in the bin once he's finished.
TheEmmaDilemma I think he realised as he hurried inside as soon as he said about being spied on.

OP posts:
AdaColeman · 27/01/2018 17:45

I wonder if he put the tape over the keyhole to stop smoke drifting into your house and alerting you to him being there. Just a thought.

What a cheeky man though!

Billben · 27/01/2018 17:47

I’ve heard it all now. What a cheeky baard! Carry on installing the camera and make sure you keep the evidence of him trespassing onto your property to smoke every time he does so. When he kicks up a fuss about you spying on him, you can go to the police with the evidence and do him for trespass. And contact his landlord to complain. This would be the long winded but nicest way to go about now it.
But I personally would have just told him to keep off my property or I’d have his fuing legs broken.

BlurryFace · 27/01/2018 17:48

Eh? He must have some sort of disability if he can't stand still for the time it takes to smoke a fag. Tell him to keep a folding chair by the door if it's that bad. WTF.

SimonBridges · 27/01/2018 17:50

Cheeky fucker. I hope you told him to get to fuck.

Bill you can do real swears on here you know.

feska5 · 27/01/2018 17:53

Is he having a laugh! The cheek of him. I’d be putting itching powder on the step if I were you OP

gillybeanz · 27/01/2018 17:59

It was him that put the tape over your keyhole so that his smoke didn't go into your property.
How considerate of him Grin

We smoke but no way would we use someone else's property.

Surely his landlord can't stop him from smoking outside, how would they know.
man puts out cigarette and puts it in the bin, they're none the wiser.

Beansonapost · 27/01/2018 18:10

He's the one trying to break into your property!

WhatchaMaCalllit · 27/01/2018 18:11

Not unreasonable at all to install the CCTV and the Ring bell (do let us know how you get on with that). Your neighbour is entirely unreasonable to smoke on your doorstep and I'd get a "No Smoking" or "Smoke Free Zone" sticker and put it on your front door and everywhere else that you think it might be of use.
Is the new bolt that you installed on the inside or outside of the front door? I can't work out how that got broken.

Original poster
Jasmin82 · 27/01/2018 18:19

I don't think it's him who tried to break in, but as I was upstairs, by the time I reached the door, I couldn't see anyone.

OP posts:
TenancyTroublesAgain · 27/01/2018 18:27

Tell him to use his own fucking property to smoke on!!

Elsie2791 · 27/01/2018 18:30

No, of course you're not being unreasonable, he sounds a bit odd to say the least. I'd have a discreet word with your neighbourhood policing team if they're any good, just to let them know what's going on in case things escalate - I don't want to scare you, but in combination with the other things that have happpened, I'd be sa bit concerned if I were you. Also if it's your dad's house and your dad isn't frail and elderly, get him to come round and warn him off.

He has absolutely no legal right to sit on your step and smoke, so make sure he's told in no uncertain terms you don't want him doing it - again as your dad is the landowner, it may be an idea for him to do this. As long as you position your CCTV so it's not unreasonably intruding into other's property and people are warned you should be ok legally.
Summary of the law here www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-cctv-using-cctv-systems-on-your-property/domestic-cctv-using-cctv-systems-on-your-property

DoinItForTheKids · 27/01/2018 18:33

I think I'd be 'spilling' something very smelly / of an unpleasant texture, but colourless, on that step for the next time he decides to sit on it. I'm trying to think what that could be....

Lard? Although don't step on it yourself OP, that wouldn't even be funny if it happened!

I'd make sure the Ring was angled to capture him on yar doorstep / effing about in front of your house if I could. Purchase their Recording subscription and then you can keep all the evidence, then you can report him.

God, why do people have to be so odd and have no normal boundaries - about boundaries! Property ones and normal social ones. Barmy.

Theresnonamesleft · 27/01/2018 18:39

Very simple solution to him not wanting to be spied on.
Fuck off from your doorstep and smoke elsewhere.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 27/01/2018 18:40

He's so U it's incredible.

c3pu · 27/01/2018 18:40

Have you ever caught him sitting on your doorstep to smoke?

If he's been doing it for some time I'd have expected to catch him at it by now, or to see ash/fag butt/smell/other evidence...

Wonder if he just said the first thing that came into his head because it was him doing the breaking in

lynmilne65 · 27/01/2018 18:46

Arse!!

smackbangwhollop · 27/01/2018 18:54

Jasmin82 FYI the RING doorbell has a price drop I noticed today. They are down to just £80 in Argos. Not sure when the price dropped but it's never been this low, they are usually £150. The price may go up again at midnight tonight You can reserve one online click and collect and pay nothing until you go into the shop to collect it. They hold your reservation for 2 days. In this time you can decide if you really want it. I am so tempted at this price, I've reserved one myself. May be worth it for peace of mind.

Lucymek · 27/01/2018 18:58

The rspca put tape over the key holes to check if the owners come home. Do you leave your dog for a long period of time ever ?

MakeMisogynyAHateCrime · 27/01/2018 19:11

I agree with another poster, it’s weird that he has possibly been smoking there for some time and you have never come across eveidence if it before.
Was be spinning you a line?

Original poster
Jasmin82 · 27/01/2018 19:13

Lucymek, I don't leave the dog alone for long. I did consider that, but there was no tape when I left the house and it was there when I got back. I had been asked to cover a late sign out of staff and left home at 11 PM and got home about 12:30 AM. I don't know if the RSPCA would go out at that time and just put tape over a key hole without leaving a note?

OP posts:
stardust18 · 27/01/2018 19:20

I'm eager to know who the CCTV picks up.
What a cheeky bugger sitting on your step for a fag. Hope you get it sorted OP

ChasedByBees · 27/01/2018 19:50

I would also put it in writing that he’s not to use your property to smoke on.

Lucymek · 27/01/2018 19:52

@jas

No definitely not. That's bizzare!

HeebieJeebies456 · 27/01/2018 21:12

left home at 11 PM and got home about 12:30 AM

Somebody was obviously keeping tabs on your movements hence the speed at which they acted.

I think the burglar is either your neighbour or he's spying on YOU and reporting to his thieving friends.

I'd be reporting this to the police - too much of a 'coincidence' for my liking.

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