AIBU to think someone might be in my loft?

[Downtherabbithole34]

I'm absolutely convinced that there is some one in my loft.

Me and my young son have been away for the weekend, we've come back and I noticed that the loft hatch looks slightly misplaced. It's one with a cross type key thing. It just looks out of place, tilted down more on one side. From this, I've completely convinced myself there is some up there. We've only lived here a few weeks, since breaking up from my sons dad so I'm unsure whether it was already like that.

I don't know what to do, I can't check cos I have no ladders. I've no one to come and check for me.

I do have OCD and a diagnosed anxiety disorder so on one hand im thinking is this my mind playing tricks on me. I am utterly convinced and wondering whether I should call the police, but based on what evidence? They'll think I'm mad.

Ask a big strong male neighbour to check for you.

Wouldn’t you hear movement and noises from up above?

Was the break up amicable? If not, call police

Oh crikey OP, that's hard work. If it's your OCD kicking in, I think usually the gist is that acting to ameliorate the intrusive thoughts can actually worse things over time. So I would give that some consideration before taking any action. Will checking solve the problem or will it just give you something to check and worry about more often?

Editing to add: Modern houses will have full enclosed lofts so the likelihood of anyone being in there is low, especially assuming there's no sign of break in and that you haven't given out spare keys. Some older houses had lofts that weren't enclosed and ran along the whole terrace, but if it's being rented out they should have fixed this for fire safety reasons I think.

I think it’s really unlikely. if you can’t get up there without a ladder, how would they? Unless you think they pulled it up after them, again bizarre and unlikely.

Take some time and calm down, it will all be okay and you will love your new home x

It has been REALLY windy this past week. Could it be that?

If there isn’t a ladder attached to the hatch then it seems quite improbable someone would have got up there… or am I missing something? But you could get a company round to quote for installing a ladder and presumably they’ll have a look up there as part of the process.

Does anyone else have a key?

This happened to me once.

I called the police.

They will at least provide you with advice on how to safeguard your home from e.g. an ex who thinks he still has the right to monitor you.

If you don't have ladders how did they get up there? And even if they brought their own ladder how did they tidy it away and then get back up there?
Doesn't make any sense

What type of home do you live in? Older houses do sometimes still have lofts which are connected, as pp has noted. A relative of mine still has an odd lift access arrangement in their home, whereby one household can only access part of their loft through the other property. The wind is definitely a possibility too. Please do get someone to take a look. Probably nothing, but you’ll sleep easier.

Or a female one with a ladder.

If there’s no ladder there can’t really be anyone up there.

You need to get someone to check i read a story where a woman was prescribed antipsychotics and was told she was having a psychotic episode because she thought someone was in her loft and nobody believed her and it turned out someone was living in there

I think it’s your ocd and an intrusive thought, the loft hatch you describe can’t be locked/closed when up there it needs to be twisted from downstairs. Don’t let the thoughts try and win, you’re ok.
If it’s rented has the landlord been round and maybe checked the loft or got things out which is why it doesn’t look quite right?

The wind can cause loft hatches to lift.

Lets think about the logically, if there was someone up there they would have to have the means to get in and out, so if they have a ladder they would have to pull it up after them. This couldn’t be done quickly.
Also they would need access to food, water and the toilet. They would need to come down to get this so would need to time it to you being out. Can you alter your routine to catch them out?

I doubt there is anyone there but I know how being the only adult in the house can make you worry.

I thought this when I moved house once. I duct taped the loft hatch from the outside in a big X shape reasoning that I would hear it if it was ripped off suddenly, and I could check it when I came home to make sure it was still in place. I also had a friend come and physically check in the loft for me at a different time.

Once I lived in a victorian terrace where the attics had no dividing walls. Get someone to check it out for you.

If you live in a terrace or semi then it is possible someone has accessed through there. If you don't then it is highly unlikely.
If you live in a terrace then I would call the police to come and take a look.
I know someone who lived in a row of terraces and someone was getting in and steeling womrens knickers.

I think it would be best to ask a neighbour with a ladder to check it for you.

Or ask an attic ladder company for a free quote to fix a safe ladder.

Or an insulation company to give a free quote for insulation.

Of call the police and explain why you think there may be someone accessing the loft.

Theres 4 options - you can work through them - choosing within your comfort zone.

All the best

Call Police with your concerns…ask them to do a safeguard check.

I’m sure it’s nothing, especially as you said you weren’t sure how it was before.

That said, even if you’re new to an area, I’m sure a neighbour would help you look. I know my husband would

I would get some ladders and check with another adult at the bottom of them, or preferably vice versa. Xx

Are you renting? Call your landlord and say the loft looks like it’s been disturbed and could they come and check an animal hasn’t got in or anything.

^ this. It’s very likely the wind. But when I moved into a new house alone, I was freaked out by noise, my burly (but 75 year old ) next door neighbour was very happy to check the house for me

If you are concerned could you get some cameras for your house (or motion detectors). They are very cheap these days and good to have in case of break-in’s etc