How To Stop Solicitors From Knocking On Your Door

Few things are as annoying as hearing solicitors knock on your door while you’re relaxing or working from home. It feels like an invasion of privacy, and there’s a good chance you don’t want anything to do with them. You may understandably struggle with how to stop solicitors from knocking on your door.

The best way to stop solicitors from knocking on your door is to put up several “no solicitors” signs on your property. It also helps to install a “beware of dog” sign and video doorbell to quickly tell solicitors to leave without you opening the door. Call the company that keeps knocking and tell them to stop if it continues. 

Some communities have “do not knock” registries to keep solicitors away from local homes and businesses. Follow along as we explore how to stop solicitors from knocking on your door. 

How To Keep Solicitors Away

1. Post A No Solicitors Sign

“No solicitors” signs are timeless, and that’s because there is still a big demand for them. Door-to-door solicitors are still quite active, but you can dissuade them with a sign, although some pushy solicitors may still knock on your door even if you hang a sign.

That’s why it’s important to carefully consider sign placement and even what the sign says. You can even post a few signs throughout your property to make sure they see them. For example, you can put a “no trespassing” sign at the end of your driveway. 

Next, you can put a sign in the soil in your yard leading up to your front door. Finally, you can place a sign on or beside your door to make it clear a salesperson shouldn’t knock. Avoid putting the sign in a spot with lots of plants that could obscure it. 

2. Install A Video Doorbell

Video doorbells, like Ring, can work wonders in stopping solicitors from knocking on your door. While they may still approach your house, the video doorbell may dissuade them from knocking. The trick is that you must speak through the video doorbell before they get the chance to knock on your door.

Simply say that you aren’t interested and that they must leave your property. The only downside to this method is that you may not be able to respond to the motion notification fast enough. Make sure to find a video doorbell that has a talk feature so you can speak through it. 

It also helps to put a note near the doorbell that says “no solicitors” in case you don’t have time to talk through it. 

3. Beware Of Dog

Whether you have a dog or not, a “beware of dog” sign is enough to scare some solicitors away. After all, nobody wants to get bitten by a dog when they work. Carefully consider the placement of the sign just like you would with a “no solicitors” sign. 

Keep in mind that “beware of dog” signs don’t protect you if your dog bites a solicitor. It varies between states, but you may still face a lawsuit or even criminal charges if your dog bites someone. Simply hang the sign and keep your dog inside during peak solicitation times. 

4. Call The Company Or Organization

Do you know what company or organization the solicitors work with? If so, it’s a great idea to call them and say that they can’t knock on your door anymore. Let them know that you aren’t interested in their services or products.

Tell the organization that they don’t have permission to step foot on your property. Keep in mind that the First Amendment protects their right to offer their services. Of course, there’s no way to stop all solicitors from knocking on your door. 

Even still, it helps to call as many of the companies as possible. You may be able to make a civil complaint against a company if you have proof that they agreed to stop knocking on your door. Make sure to document your conversations with them in case that happens. 

5. Enter A Do-Not-Knock Program

Search online to find local “do-not-knock” programs in your area. Several communities let you sign up to appear on a list that prohibits solicitors from knocking on your door. This applies to businesses and homeowners alike. 

It’s essentially the same thing as signing up for a “do-not-call” list. Sadly, these registries aren’t ironclad, and there’s still a chance that solicitors will knock on your door. That said, you can use the registry to your advantage if solicitors continue to visit your property. 

For example, you can call the organization and let them know that people keep knocking even though you’re on a registry. Communities can’t ban solicitors, but “do not knock” registries are the next best thing. 

Can You Call The Police If A Solicitor Knocks On Your Door?

You can call the police if a solicitor knocks on your door and displays threatening behavior. Otherwise, they are within their rights to knock on your door. You can’t simply call the police just because a solicitor knocks on your door. 

That said, it’s important to lock your doors and install security equipment on your property and in your home. Look out for suspicious behavior, as there’s no way to know who is knocking on your door if they’re a stranger. Video doorbells are great for this as they let you communicate with the person knocking from afar. 

The person at your door can also tell that they’re on camera, and that often dissuades people from committing crimes. Not to mention, you get to keep the video of them on your property, which you can present to the police. Usually, solicitors mean no harm and they are only doing their job, but it’s a great idea to protect your property in case they aren’t who they say they are. 

Summing It Up

Put a “no solicitors” sign above or beside your door to stop them from knocking. “Beware of dog” signs also come in handy, as nobody wants to get bitten by a dog. It helps to call the company or organization and let them know they don’t have permission to visit your home anymore. 

Related Guides:

• What To Do If Your Neighbor Won’t Cut Their Grass
• What To Do If Your Neighbor Has A Dangerous Tree
• Do You Have To Tell Your Neighbors You Have A Ring Doorbell?