To tell nosy CFs to stop peeking over the fence!

[WhatToDoAboutTheNosys]

So we live in a small cul-de-sac and have a good neighbourhood situation.

But one of the families are such nosy CFs! They've said they like where their house is so they can see everything going on, and they barely try to hide their peeking.

Our gardens are next to each other, The fence is high but if they go right up to it or to the back of their garden then can "sneak" a look into ours.

Usually we just laugh or shake our heads at their nosyness but I'm starting to think do we need a word? We don't have anything to hide but it's not on us it! And how to say it?!

Recently we had work done in the garden and one of the other houses saw Mr Nosy on tip toes on his driveway trying to get a better look at what was going on.

This evening we've had people round in the garden and I saw him right up at the fence peeking over. This isn't unusual but just made me think ffs what does he get out of knowing who we have round.

What would you all do? It will awkward to say anything and undoubtedly he'll go in a huff with us too.

I'd just call out "you wanna get a step ladder for a really good nose?"

Water pistol!

Hose pipe handy.... We had an awful neighbourhood lad who used to stand shouting obscenities through our gates.. . A few shots of the hose had him running.. Or set up sprinklers near the boundary...

Can you grow something on trellis at the top of the fence?

Or I like someone else's idea of calling out but would probably just say "can I help you with something?" and stare at them.

Could you just grow some tall plants along the fence? Or hang some plant pots at the top on your side of the fence with some bushy plants in them? Something spiky or smelly?

Big sign facing his direction saying "fuck off nosy!". Will have to admit he's been looking if he gets the hump about it.
Seriously though, long term I'd either trellis or hedge to make it harder for him to see. If you see him lurking, talk loudly with guests about reporting peeping toms to the police.

' Hi Mr Nosy, one of your balls gone over our fence?'

going against the grain here but our neighbours have had extremely noisy, lengthy works going on in the garden which has destroyed our view and they’ve had people clambering into our stream to do the work with no prior heads up. I went into the garden tonight and had a peer over our fence to see where I can plant things to block their view of our house - maybe they think I was being nosy when in fact I want my privacy back!!

This evening we've had people round in the garden and I saw him right up at the fence peeking over.
You could go right up to the fence and say loudly "CAN I HELP YOU MR NEIGHBOUR?" Then he and everyone else can see you've noticed him and don't like what he's doing.
If he goes huffy on you is that a problem? He's being intrusive, he doesn't deserve for you to tiptoe around his feelings.

WATER PISTOL 🔫🌊🌊🌊

It reminds me of the neighbour in the Oxford Reading Tree books!
Grow something tall.

A late evening nude bonk should put him off. I'm not joking, people like that are so rude. (I suggest bonking a partner/spouse rather than Mr Nosy ofc)

I'm loving the water pistol idea! But the thought of actually doing it isn't a realistic option surely 🤣

We have planted some bushes but it's going to be some time until they're tall enough unfortunately.

Tonight I did my best to stare right back but he still did it again! And me ans DH said to each other without being quiet Mr Nosy is at the fence

Trellis and fast climbing honeysuckle or clematis.

Big smile and wave, and say hello - and then make a point of angling a parasol so it's right in his line of sight.
Yes, you will have to buy / borrow one, but it will be worth it. They are also handy for trampolining children when the trampoline is as close to your fence as it can be.

We've spent 2 yrs renovating what was a derelict house with a 20+yr, overgrown jungle garden. The neighbours have all been welcoming and grateful we are fixing the worst house in the street. My back neighbour was peering over one day and even proudly showed me the stool she bought to specifically peer over our garden 'to see what was going on'! I pointed out that she would likely get the same view from her upstairs windows, then she said 'No- I can see better from here!' 😡

If Mr Nosy appears again- ask 'can I help you?' 'Why are you peering over my fence?', comment to whoever you are with, but loud enough for Mr nosy to hear 'that old perve is at the fence again, I'm going to report him!'

Set a motion sensor on a sprinkler- so any movement at that side of the fence when they peer over- sets it off - in his direction😀

Throw cactus seeds over their side of the fence 😀

Mess with him.

Let him catch you digging a grave-sized hole. Cover it up in a hurry with a tarp when you catch him peeking. Have a lumpy, suspicious black binbag or suitcase positioned nearby.

If you want to keep it friendly , just shout out “you alright there?” Or “can I help you with anything With a confused look on your face. It will shame him enough to move away. Just keep doing it till he stops,

Big pots of bamboo.
In winter, remove from pot, saw plant in half, replant in two pots. You can double your crop every couple of years.

I'd call out "Careful, neighbour - DH and I are starting to wonder if you're a peeping Tom!"

Very tall washing line and sheets to block his view

This would enrage me, truth be told. I am a private person and I respect the privacy of others. I would have a firm word and I wouldn't give a fuck if he gets his nose out of joint or not.

Can you not just say hello and be friends? Like in that home improvement show

Bump into him and tell him you see him on your cctv looking into your garden, is there something interesting there?

You don’t need to actually HAVE cctv, just shit him up a bit.

Just wander over to the spot he's at and say "Can I help you Dave?"