That my neighbour’s paranoia is not my problem.

[Libertylawn]

I have lived in my house for 20 years and it’s got a loft conversion which was done originally as a granny flat, so little kitchen and bathroom, 2 bedrooms. We are semi rural but near a couple of major employers and a business park and so I started letting out the annex to contractors. They are all fully vetted and usually just down for a couple of weeks or so. The rooms overlook farmland and my garden and also my neighbour’s garden.

My neighbour when she found out about the lodgers went bananas and has tried to report me to anyone that will listen, because she firmly believes it isn’t safe and as a consequence she and her children won’t go in the garden AT ALL, in case my lodgers are watching her. Why the hell they would want to watch her or her kids is beyond me.

The neighbour has kids the same age as mine, and we have mutual friends. She has cried - tears crying - saying how worried she is and that I’m ruining her dream house. The houses are detached, there’s no shared drive etc so this is all on the basis of the chances of nutters watching her put her washing on the line. I’ve ignored her so far but this morning I got a card through the door from her begging that I stop letting out the annex to anyone “except maybe relatives.” I’ve tried talking to her but am getting nowhere. She’s crackers isn’t she?

If we're being pedantic about it, if you're never caught then actually you could have been an axe murderer for any amount of time before the DBS was done.

She’s clearly mad yes.
If I was planning on staying long term, I might buy her a tree or tall plant and help her plant it to block the view a bit.
Id consider that a kindness and expect her to not comment any more after that was done..

This reminds md of my old neighbour, who hated.me having any and all types of bushes and flowers because it attracted wasps and her child couldn't possibly go outside cos there might potentially be a wasp. Also cos my fence on my side was painted a fun colour, she couldn't see it but she knew it was there 😂

Is this still going on. Goodness

Screening would just stop the neighbour complaining about visitors viewing those in her garden. Just a suggestion.

I'd love my neighbour to rent out the level which overlooks my garden - would welcome anyone other than him looking over!

Oh come on everyone, be real. Would you really like a succession of random people over looking your garden?
It's fair game we have to put up with the neighbours we're given. They could be golden or absolute shite.But it's usually a pair or family, that you get used to.
Imagine that changes regularly. it would freak me out.

She sounds batshit.

Well I am not arrogant enough to assume that me hanging out my smalls or the kids attempting to kill each other (when they were younger) is interesting to others to the point of the them gawping at me.

Nor am I paranoid enough to think that a working person renting a room on a very short term basis for their job chose next door just so they can spy on me.

But then I am well aware that I am not the centre of the universe.

Poor you!I think it must be hard putting up with such an unhinged neighbour. You have done nothing wrong,but you have to live with her behaviour. She is obviously unstable,but that doesn't make it easier for you. Just try and ignore her. She won't listen to reason .

Say yes of course I'll stop renting it out, as long as you pay me the same amount as the rent. You have every right to dispose of your property as you see fit, without any reference to your neighbours wishes- as long as that disposal is legal. This will give her the heads up that her request is not reasonable- many people think neighbours will acquiesce to requests if it does not cause inconvenience, however if the inconvenience has a solid monetary value then it is more likely they will see their request is not reasonable.

Jeez, you lot really? It's a family home. Totally sure you'd be all ok with it, nah.

Yes it is a family home and as a family they have the perfect right to take in lodgers as are we all. Its perfectly legal.

And the neighbour didnt kick off until she knew about it. There have been no issues at all, no anti social behaviour, nothing. All her complaints have come to nothing as there is nothing to complain about. So the only problem is in her (and apparently your) imagination.

I lived next to a college and a few houses sold over the years and were then let to students

You would have to be monumentally thick to think that this might not be a possibility,

In a few years you will be bleating because some crazed old bat will be complaining that they don't want your precious little darling living next door to them when they are at college.

🤣🤣🤣

She sounds super annoying but I’d probably try & have a face to face with her anyway and just let her vent and validate her feelings. It doesn’t mean you change anything but some people just need to discharge anxiety and she’s one of those people who’ll keep winding herself and you up?

@TonTonMacouteWhat an astute tool . Thanks for the fun.

Well said

You can have people stay in your house, whoever you want too. This neighbour needs putting in her place, how dare she dictate to you who she thinks should be allowed in your home, she had no legal basis to this...Tell her, you will report her for being a peeping tom, that will put her back in her box...Some people are just full of crap, tell her to sod off , nothing to do with her..

They’re not there looking over the garden, they can look over the garden but what are the handed they will be?

They’re Just staying in the room for a few nights.

The reason for being there is not to look over the garden,

Apart from anything else, surely they don't have much(any) time to be watching your beighbour, as they are working most of the time? ffs!

Money hungry? WTF? OP needs the income to allow her to keep her children's home after her divorce. Renting out rooms is a legitimate way to make an income. The neighbour obviously needs therapy as that level of anxiety sounds debilitating but it's not OP's problem.

Why would I care about people who aren't making a noise or a nuisance of themselves living next door? They are obviously out at work all day and aren't causing any trouble at all.

She’s paranoid and needs to live far away from people, but even then she’d find something else to fixate on.

People like her are complete control freaks and their issues become their main focus and favourite subject matter.

Do NOT give her any oxygen. Ignore, ignore and ignore until she gets bored. She’ll learn.

Ps. Bloody good for you that you’ve got a nice business there and you didn’t have to uproot.

What's the difference between lodgers and your relatives?

Some people have mental health conditions, but she needs to seek counselling, and think about whether that house is the most appropriate for her