Woman across the street staring into my house

[Littlejayx]

I live on a busy road in a large village, over the past few weeks I have been home more due to home working starting up again. I used to get alerts from my lighting system that ‘living room had been triggered’ and thought it must be passing traffic, until I was sat down working today to see a neighbour stood scouring my whole living room (not seeing me due to positioning) then light sensor turned on (was off as I hadn’t moved)

I’ve had quite a few run ins with her about letting her dog foul outside my front door/drive, using my bins and trying to stop my Gardner trimming hedges. What do I do? 😩 last time I spoke to her she shouted at me on the street and threatened to report me for assault!

I’m living alone with two young children and hate the thought of her stood looking in my house

Get reflective film, shutter blinds or both. Put a big hedge or bush in front of the window as well.

As you have dog, cover the yard in dog poo with leaves on the top. Next time she comes for a look, she'll get poo all over her shoes.

As the police are already involved due to your abusive partner being removed, I would call the non emergency number and ask for advice preferably from your point of contact there if you've been assigned one.

Ugh why are people so intrusive? She sounds awful.

I wonder if she does it to encourage her dog to wee in your yard because shes weird and doesn't like you.

Set up camera so you have it on film so that if necessary you can send to the council, along with any other runs ins.
I wouldn’t put blinds/films etc up unless you want them.
I would however just stand in my window and stare at her until she goes. Make it awkward, don’t engage, just stare

@BasketBlocks

Get a massive sign that says “F* OFF NOSEY” and put it up in your living room directly opposite the window.

Alternatively take a photo of her looking in your window, have it blown up to large size and printed and put that directly opposite the window, so when she looks in she sees herself looking back.

That's so perfect . But I agree with the posters that say she could be a nutter and best not to engage. I would use the film/police option. You just never know. There are some totally dangerous people about. I always hope they will move onto another victim.

Yes this 🤣 I would really make her jump.

Is this an elderly neighbour? Have you considered she may have dementia? Or if not elderly, someone with a mental health condition which makes them paranoid or not have a sense of reality?

Just putting it out there as a lot of people are just commenting to retaliate…

Although this lady has shown aggression in the past I do wonder if she perhaps has a mental issue. I think I would go the extra mile and offer her an olive branch - ask her to have a coffee with you. I realise you will be busy with 2 young children and a job but extending a frendly hand may be just what you both need.

@WizbitsLeftEye

Google, or search on Amazon, for "rabbitgoo" window film. It's reusable, the light gets through, but she can't see in. We use it because we are at street level, near the pavement and have that goldfish bowl experience.

Does this make it difficult to clean the windows? Or can you clean them as normal?

Confront her and then if she still does it, treat her like a nuisance cat and turn the garden hose on her. That should do the trick.

You have a problem with her, she's trespassing, and invading your privacy,if she can't see you, record her on your phone and get a friend to shame her on the internet, she deserves no less, and you have children, people like her disgust me.if they spent more time looking after there own lives and not everybody else's they would get on alot better themselves.miffed Simon 54,.

A ring doorbell is a great idea as then you have proof. Then I’d involve police. It could be she is suffering from mental health issues. A visit from police may deter.

If she's on your property when this happens I'd be telling her to sod off and report her. If she's doing it from public property or her own I'd get some blinds that still allow light through but make it difficult for people to look through from a distance.

Just wave, or if it bothers you that much, as others have said, blinds, have them glass tinted, useless when light on tho, but good in day light.

I feel for you, OP. This would drive me insane, and the fact that she has been abusive is even more worrying! I love the idea of setting off the alarm! Please film this if you do it!!
I'm of the ilk, though, that I'd out-shout her and start towards her shooing her away and screeching like a crazy woman. Sometimes, the only way to deal with crazy is to out crazy them! Get someone to film it, though, so you can have a right giggle about it afterwards!! With wine, of course!

Ring doorbell that you can talk to her through, or play weird music

She sounds like she’s got mental health issues to me and I’d be worried too if I were you OP. You deserve to feel safe in your own home, this woman is blatantly trespassing and no doubt making you feel anxious/threatened. Phone the police and let them have a word with her.

@Littlejayx

I live on a busy road in a large village, over the past few weeks I have been home more due to home working starting up again. I used to get alerts from my lighting system that ‘living room had been triggered’ and thought it must be passing traffic, until I was sat down working today to see a neighbour stood scouring my whole living room (not seeing me due to positioning) then light sensor turned on (was off as I hadn’t moved)

I’ve had quite a few run ins with her about letting her dog foul outside my front door/drive, using my bins and trying to stop my Gardner trimming hedges. What do I do? 😩 last time I spoke to her she shouted at me on the street and threatened to report me for assault!

I’m living alone with two young children and hate the thought of her stood looking in my house

Sensor water spray. I went to my ex's house as I got closer to the door I got sprayed nicely with water. He installed it for cats but works perfectly for humans too. Or install outdoor cameras. Then present to the police. It's harassment what she's doing.

I’d put up some privacy film. It needn’t block out much light - it comes in different densities and even the lightest one will stop a nosy parker.

I wouldn’t blame you for being a bit frightened it and I’d say you need to do something about it (so agree with reporting to police and keeping a log), but some of the responses on here seem very unkind. She might just be nosy, but as others have said, she might have dementia, be mentally ill, or be extremely lonely and be getting some kind of reassurance or comfort from knowing what’s going on in your life. Who knows.

rabbitgoo
Not keen on this company. They also sell punishment/shock collars for dogs.

@Magnited

Landmines.

🤣 that tickled me!

We have IKEA roller blinds, they’re great as let in all sunlight but can’t see in. I’d invest in these but also kill her with kindness, keep asking her in for tea and she will soon loose interest. She’s probably feeling agitated and defensive as you’ve confronted her (rightly) a few times

I think it’s really important that you log these incidents with the police. Not to be alarmist but harassment like this can escalate quickly, and having a paper trail of early incidents can make all the difference for you.

Ask her what her problem is and tell her to stop looking in your window ?