What Can You Do If Your Neighbor Is Watching You?

Nobody wants to feel uncomfortable at home. That’s especially true if your neighbor is the source of your discomfort. So, what can you do if your neighbor is watching you?

Set up a security camera to collect evidence if you think your neighbor is watching you. Tell them about your concerns and ask them to respect your privacy. It’s also a great idea to put up a fence, shrubs, and hedges to increase privacy around your home, so nobody can spy on you. 

You may even need to take legal action if you suspect criminal activity and want a restraining order. Follow along as we explore what you can do if your neighbor is watching you. 

How to Know If Your Neighbor Is Watching You

Probing Questions

Do you feel like your neighbor has asked you increasingly personal questions? That’s enough to make anyone uncomfortable, and it could be a sign that your neighbor is watching you. Of course, they may simply be friendly and curious, so there’s no need to jump to conclusions. 

However, it is a red flag if they ask personal questions about your schedule. Questions about what you do, where you go, and when you are home could be construed as inappropriate. Trust your gut and avoid being forthcoming with personal information. 

Your Mail Appears To Have Been Tampered With

Mail tampering is a crime, whether it’s done by a stranger or your neighbor across the street. You can tell someone has been tampering with your mail if it seems disheveled or some of it has been opened. In that case, you can report it to the U.S. Postal Service. 

You can also report the situation to the police. Avoid confronting your neighbor if you suspect they have tampered with your mail. You never know how they will react, and the situation could become dangerous. 

Surveillance Equipment Pointed At Your House

Does your neighbor have cameras pointed at your house? That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re watching you, but it is a strong indication. Sadly, they aren’t legally prohibited from pointing security cameras at your house. 

However, they cannot legally aim a camera at your house in a way that violates your privacy. For example, nobody is allowed to point a camera into your windows or private areas of your home. You can report the situation to the police if that’s the case, and they will handle it from there. 

Excessive Social Media Activity

Does your neighbor frequently like and comment on your social media posts? This is harmless in many cases, but excessive social media activity and stalking is a red flag. For example, you should feel some concern if your suspicious neighbor interacts with your posts right away.

This could be a sign that they have notifications turned on for your posts. They could simply be friendly and spend a lot of time on social media. However, it could be construed as spying if they exhibit other weird behavior online and in person. 

What To Do If Your Neighbor Stalks You

1. Block Their View

Do whatever you can to block your neighbor’s view if it seems like they are watching you. You can put up breeze blocks, hedges, and a fence to obstruct your neighbor’s view. Even basic shrubs can boost your privacy at home once they grow big enough. 

It’s a great idea to hang thick, opaque curtains on your windows to block your neighbor’s view if they have a camera pointed at your house. Position some tall potted plants in front of the windows, so nobody can see through into the house. Some homeowners even tint their windows to increase privacy and keep nosy neighbors at bay. 

2. Speak To Them

Speak to your neighbors if you feel like they are watching you and violating your privacy. However, you should only do this if the situation seems safe. Avoid confronting your neighbor if there is potential for hostility and aggression. 

Find a way to politely articulate your concerns without using an aggressive tone. Otherwise, you can write a letter to your neighbor if you’re nervous to address the situation in person. Let them know that their behavior makes you feel uncomfortable at home. Contact the police or an attorney if the situation becomes hostile. 

3. Install Cameras

Do you suspect that your neighbor is watching you but you’re not sure yet? If so, it’s a good idea to install cameras on your property. This will help you collect evidence and catch your neighbor in the act. 

Only put the cameras in spots that won’t violate your neighbor’s privacy. For example, you can aim the cameras to cover your yard and doors. It’s also okay to have a front-facing camera that shows your neighbor’s house, but you can’t point it toward their windows. 

4. Talk To Your Other Neighbors

You might not be the only person in the area that your neighbor is watching. There is a chance that your neighbor is spying on other people in the neighborhood. You can quickly find out if you talk to your other neighbors about the situation. 

Explain your concerns and highlight why you believe your neighbor is watching you. They may have experienced the same thing, and this can help validate your concerns. The conversation may also shed light on your problematic neighbor’s motives. It could even be that your sketchy neighbor is simply a paranoid person who likes to keep tabs on people. 

5. Contact A Lawyer Or The Authorities

Reach out to the police or a lawyer if you are sure that your neighbor is watching or even stalking you. This is much easier if you collect evidence via pictures and videos that show they have been watching you. You can also present printouts and screenshots of bizarre social media behavior to make a case against them. 

Depending on the severity of the situation, the polic and a lawyer may be able to help you. For example, you may be able to file a restraining order against your neighbor. In extreme cases, your neighbor may even face criminal charges. 

Summing It Up

You can tell your neighbor is watching you if they always appear outside when you’re outside and they ask inappropriate, personal questions. Put up a camera to document evidence if you’re sure your neighbor is watching you. Block their view into your home with shrubs, hedges, decorations, and a window tint. It also helps to speak to them calmly about the situation to avoid problems. 

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• Do You Have To Tell Your Neighbors You Have A Ring Doorbell?