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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be suspicious of neighbour

19 replies

LeaveMeAlone123 · 31/01/2026 23:23

Went to a viewing today and noticed the neighbour had at least 8 cctv cameras on the front of their house.

AIBU to think this could be a major red flag!?

OP posts:
Marble10 · 31/01/2026 23:25

I’d be suspicious of the area as a whole. Perhaps they’ve been attacked or burgled in the past. Maybe a Google search will bring up something.

Mollymalone123 · 31/01/2026 23:26

I would be wary that he has either had break ins or problems with neighbours.I would see no problem by asking estate agents why,I know they might sugar coat the answer but worth asking

DarkLion · 31/01/2026 23:27

Don’t know if it’s just me (due to a history of dv) but might not be anything to do with neighbours? Could be someone that’s fled violence so has them for their own peace of mind. I do get that many seems excessive though

FOJN · 31/01/2026 23:28

How do you mean? Neighbours are nosy and might spy on you? It suggests the house is in a high crime area? The neighbour is exceptionally paranoid which makes you wonder what they will be like to live next door to?

You can look up crime stats on line if that's your main concern.

There could be many reasons for lots of cameras. You could ask the EA if they have any information.

NameChange14192089 · 31/01/2026 23:35

Could be a red flag depending why they have them.
I have cameras that cover all of my garden, car, gates, and doors. My ExP and his family refuse to stay away regardless of bail conditions and non harassment orders. Nothing to do with where we live.

captainoctopus · 31/01/2026 23:58

Knock on the neighbour's door and ask them. Simple.

xPenelopePitstop · 31/01/2026 23:59

My neighbours house is like this.

He got quite a few cameras put up due to his car being stolen off the driveway.

RuffledKestrel · 01/02/2026 00:08

Just ask. I have cameras at the front of my house for two reasons, first, to keep the ex-partner away/in check and as we get chancers trying doors every few months I can creep them out by "whispering" through the speakers on the camera that they are being watched.... It's oddly satisfying to see them freak out and run away.

If someone doing a house viewing ask me, I'd happily tell them.

suburberphobe · 01/02/2026 00:09

8??

That would make me feel questioning why.....

Drug dealer? Paranoid? KGB spy? (Remember Salisbury....)
Or just a creepy old man....

Nope, no way would I want to live there.

Peacefullbliss · 01/02/2026 00:41

Some man in my area has more than that he has shutters on his windows with the press of a button plus cctv inside and out.
Hes lovely his wife has awful anxiety something happened before they moved here and it changed her.
But she said she feels safe when her husband is a way with all hes put up.

Edited for spelling mistakes.

YourSassyPanda · 01/02/2026 00:48

I have cameras front door back door and driveway but 8 just at the front is a bit extreme. I’d definitely ask. Is it a high crime area or someone who has previously been a victim and is now paranoid as a result? Otherwise I’d be thinking they had some kind of ongoing issue which may affect me as their neighbour or were criminals themselves or had some mental health issues going on, none of which is ideal in a potential neighbour.

TessSaysYes · 01/02/2026 00:49

I d be a bit concerned about that. They might be paranoid crazies.

MrMischief · 01/02/2026 00:54

My sister’s neighbour has loads of cameras up. He is an electrician fits cctv as part of his business. Nothing ever happens down their road, he probably only ever spots a hedgehog in his garden, but I can see how someone would think it dodgy.

pimplebum · 01/02/2026 00:54

if I am serious about a house I always knock on neighbours and ask talk to them about the neighbourhood - if they are weird or scared they usually will give you some clue in that interaction
I did the same when picking my kids nursery I waited outside and “casually” bumped into mums coming out and got into conversation - tells you all you need to know

Loveapineapplepizzame · 01/02/2026 01:54

Depends what size of house it is?! Tiny little terrace - 8 cameras would be excessive! Big detached house and I completely get it!

Also could neighbour work in security or something along those lines - our neighbour has a semi detached house yet they have 3 cameras outside that we can see and a ring doorbell - he’s a CCTV installation engineer!!

BookArt55 · 01/02/2026 07:41

DarkLion · 31/01/2026 23:27

Don’t know if it’s just me (due to a history of dv) but might not be anything to do with neighbours? Could be someone that’s fled violence so has them for their own peace of mind. I do get that many seems excessive though

I was about to say this.
Or could be a paranoid person!

NotnowMildrid · 01/02/2026 08:41

My first thought having known someone with several cameras, is that they have serious mental health issues and are very extremely paranoid.

I wouldn’t touch the house with a barge pole.

mindutopia · 01/02/2026 08:46

We have 2 cameras. We don’t have any near neighbours to be bothered and you wouldn’t even notice them if you were looking for them.

I’d be concerned that someone with 8 cameras pointed at basically the same thing is a complete bloody loon.

SharpSheep · 01/02/2026 08:55

I once viewed a house that had cameras in every single room, including all children's bedrooms.

House was amazing but that put me off. A lot.

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