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Original poster

New home and hate mail

62 replies

Fitz1987 · 04/10/2023 14:04

A family I know recently moved into their new home and received a disturbing card implying a curse on their new home, with a mention of their children being at risk of the curse. After sharing this card in the neighbourhood group chat, it was discovered that others received a note, supposedly from the new family, asking that no one come and introduce themselves to them. This note also had matching handwriting to the card received.
It is clear that whoever sent this note wanted to make this family feel unwelcome. But it’s hard to understand why someone would be so malicious which. The entire situation has made this family feel unsettled in their new home which they have worked very hard for.
Any opinions on why someone would send such nastiness?
I would also like to add that this is a mixed race couple who have moved to a predominantly white middle class area, could this be related to race?

OP posts:
honeybeetheoneandonly · 04/10/2023 15:29

My first thought was also someone else wanted that house or didn't want anyone else to have it.
Tell them to be friendly with the neighbours (as they would have been otherwise) and to not open any more letters. They will only mess with their mind. Ignore, move on and live their life.

FerretFarago · 04/10/2023 15:42

Someone who really wanted to buy the house but was outbid, this happened to someone I once worked with.

FerretFarago · 04/10/2023 15:43

In his case he got pornographic stuff through the door.

Verv · 04/10/2023 15:50

Blackcoffee1 · 04/10/2023 14:28

This is the plot of “The Watcher” tv show (which is based on a true story).

Just came to say exactly this.

It's a Watcher prank.

GasPanic · 04/10/2023 15:52

Well some things that haven't been suggested :

i) They negotiated aggressively during the sale.

ii) It's a repo house or a house that someone was forced out of.

iii) They have (inadvertently) pissed someone off through their behaviour, bad parking, kids too loud etc.

iv) They annoyed someone where they used to live, and that person has been quiet until now but now they have moved has decided to try to get their own back.

Whatever the root cause is, nothing justifies this cowardly behaviour.

loislovesstewie · 04/10/2023 15:55

It's a bored teen, he's seen The Watcher and thin sit would be fun to emulate it.

Hmindr68 · 04/10/2023 16:00

Is one of your neighbours Harlan Coben?

2jacqi · 04/10/2023 16:12

is it not perhaps from someone in the area who wanted the house for a relative??

MariePaperRoses · 04/10/2023 16:13

I would be thinking disgruntled ex or one of them has had an affair which has now ended.

PyongyangKipperbang · 04/10/2023 16:22

Wouldnt be at all surprised to hear it is race related.

Are they the sort of neighbours to send Xmas cards to each other? I would keep the note and compare the handwriting if they are!

caringcarer · 04/10/2023 16:26

I'd get a ring doorbell fitted, security cameras and I think notify the police of a potential hate crime. I hope the new family makes lots of friends who will watch their back and catch the bigot out.

samupnorth · 04/10/2023 16:39

Whereabouts in the Uk is this ? If its Cornwall, or somewhere similar then sadly it's almost certainly racism.

IAmAnIdiot123 · 04/10/2023 16:44

Was the house bought at auction? Might be that the old owner is bitter if their house was repossessed.

Psychonabike · 04/10/2023 16:45

What are their jobs?

A lot of people in public facing jobs have lost their anonymity through social media these days...it's kind of hard to control with the number of fb groups you need to join for kids activities etc. I do wonder about those who have roles that bring them into conflict at times...how easy it must be now for an aggrieved and motivated person to target them...

honkersbonkers38 · 04/10/2023 16:51

My thoughts were related to the house sale (knowing how it felt to be forced to drop the price at the very last minute for my lovely house).

SM4713 · 04/10/2023 16:52

What have the neighbours said about the previous occupants? My thoughts were:

  • Divorce/abuse or some reason they had to sell the house and disgruntled previous owner
  • Deceased estate and disgruntled benefactor who wasn't named in the will/didn't get the house and is pissed off
  • Mental health issues with previous owner, likely with some weird voodoo/cult tendencies
  • Someone annoyed that you bought the house and not their relative/friend etc
  • Racism
  • Just random weirdo
Bleuuuughhh · 04/10/2023 16:55

Jesus Christ. Does anyone actually read replies? It is the Watcher plot from Netflix. It is either a prank, or more likely this thread is complete bollocks

ToriCostner · 04/10/2023 16:56

This reply has been deleted

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AThickLayerOfLard · 04/10/2023 16:56

forgotmyusername1 · 04/10/2023 15:01

did they outbid anyone on the house?
maybe someone else wanted to live there and is holding a grudge

This is what I was thinking.

BabyStopCryin · 04/10/2023 16:56

Wonder if it was a repossessions or if they had gazumped a loon?

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 04/10/2023 16:57

SM4713 · 04/10/2023 16:52

What have the neighbours said about the previous occupants? My thoughts were:

  • Divorce/abuse or some reason they had to sell the house and disgruntled previous owner
  • Deceased estate and disgruntled benefactor who wasn't named in the will/didn't get the house and is pissed off
  • Mental health issues with previous owner, likely with some weird voodoo/cult tendencies
  • Someone annoyed that you bought the house and not their relative/friend etc
  • Racism
  • Just random weirdo

Exactly could be any of these. Just keep an eye on it in case it is escalates and install a Ring doorbell.

I wouldn’t jump to any conclusions, yet.

partypant · 04/10/2023 16:58

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Why would you assume the worst of the family? Who said they had to move? The OP said they worked really hard to be able to make this nice and that they are a really nice polite family. Do you always victim blame?

Bleuuuughhh · 04/10/2023 16:59

Mumsnet is honestly a parallel dimension…

ToriCostner · 04/10/2023 17:00

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jlpth · 04/10/2023 17:04

Was there some aggro with the house purchase that the vendor might be blaming on the new family? Whoever sent is a sick fuck whatever the reason. The fact that they have suggested a curse and also encouraged neighbours not to interact with them suggests that the perpetrator is not actually really close by and too cowardly to do anything. Else.

I would install CCTV and good security anyway.