How do I ignore the neighbor who seems to monitor my every move even rising early to turn yard lights on?

Question

He seems to know if I call in sick and his lights do not go on. As I turn my inside lights off as I leave, his inside lights go off. As I leave my drive way, his outside light goes off. His outside light stays on until my lights go off at night. I cannot go out in the yard without him thinking its free reign to stroll over to ramble ridiculous statements about he finally this or that. He does not work and claims to be a reformed drinker although seems to drink alot of beer. Go figure. So how do I ignore the monitoring. I can tell him to exit the yard, but the monitoring is exhausting.

I own. He is renting from his relative, probably forever. I do randomly set light timers to mess with him for fun. My windows on his side are covered with tint and blinds now. He is not breaking any laws as long as he remains on his own property and not exposting himself. Sounds like a privacy fence regardless of cost will be worth the peace of mind.

Love the sprinkler idea! Perhaps the hose will work next time he comes across the lawn!

Answer 1

As long as he's in his own yard, there's not much you can do.
Try putting your lights on timers to confuse him. Install a privacy fence, get a dog, etc.......
He sounds like a bored old man.

Answer 2

I would definitely speak with local law enforcement. Document all the odd behaviors and present it to the authorities.

I've been in similar situations, first while living in an apartment building with an on-site manager who had video cameras, not only linked to the closet where the monitors were kept, but to the television in his bedroom. I moved once he started calling when I came home and when he called to ask a favor, but prefaced the question with "are you dressed?" i didn't call the police, but wish I had, I'm confident the property management did nothing about my complaints. until I moved out, i refused to answer the phone (it was in-house, for people to be buzzed into the building, and my friends called my cell and i met them at the door) and walked past with my nose in the air pretending i didn't see or hear him when he was nearby.
Now I live next door to an OOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLDDDDDDD man who stares out his window, waves occasionally, but nothing more. I figure if my roommate or I go missing, he'll know and contact the police.
The second doesn't match your situation as closely, but I can sympathize. If your city police department doesn't help, contact the county, or state if you have to.
I'm assuming moving isn't an option, not that you should have to, but I suggest getting to know your other neighbors and making them aware of this situation, maybe there is somebody who can come to your rescue when he wanders over to be friendly. If you have any male relatives that can demonstrate a presence, any thing or anyone too discourage him from thinking you're interested.

Answer 3

I had the very same problem I put up an 8' privacy fence on the property line Be sure to check the zoning laws in your town When I got my building permit and was asking question about fence heights etc... The lady at the zoning office I ask me who my neighbor was I told her Katherine S She said are you sure 8' is high enough for your fence . Katherine S even call city hall to complain that the fence was too high The funny thing is that when I move 3 years later she also moved that same year guess there was nothing left to see

good fences make good neighbors

Answer 4

Well, you could go about this one of two ways. 1. Fence off your entire yard with a really tall privacy fence, which will only intrigue him more. 2. Reverse psychology. Every thing that he has done to bother you, do it back but only worse. If you see him not do something that he usually does, go over and knock on his door and ask him if everything is all right because you noticed that he didn't do this or that. Whenever you see him outside, jog on over & chat him up with the most boring/disgusting/whatever you can think of & don't let him get a word in. Follow him as he tries to get away. Annoy the you-know-what out of him until he decides that he wants nothing to do with you. Become his "Dennis the Menace". With any luck, a taste of his own medicine will teach him a thing or two about neighborly relations, but if not, at least he will leave you alone!

Answer 5

I'm with David V--check your home for spy gear! He's way too in tune with your comings and goings. If you are using a cell phone and he has a really good tuner on his stereo, he could be listening to every call you make. Are you renting? I'd start looking for someplace else. Own it? Put up a privacy fence. Don't ignore this--it's not normal for someone to act this way.

Answer 6

You blew it. You talked with him and it must have been in a friendly manner.

Your IT!

Getting him to mind his own business is going to be difficult, a privacy barrier i.e., fast growing shrubs are a good idea (laurel). But he may just pop around.

If you are a woman, you could tell him to stop harrassing you by constantly peeping at you. He doesn't have to expose himself to be told this, it is exactly what is going on.

If you are a man, could try to tell him that you need to be alone. Don't explain why, you don't have to.

Answer 7

You cannot control the "monitoring" unless you wish to press charges for being stalked. As for him walking onto your property when it's not convenient for you to chat with him, just excuse yourself and say that you must be going or that you have to cut the conversation short as you have things that must be accomplished.

If all else fails, turning the water sprinklers on him might be a thought.

Answer 8

Start turning your lights on and off randomly - like turn them on for an hour at night, then turn them off for 30 min, then back on for 45 min. See if he copies.

You may just want to make a comment like - Hey, I noticed we run on the same schedule, isn't that weird.

Answer 9

Invest in a stockade fence, in the highest height allowed by law. I have a neighbor who is a convicted sex offender (lucky me), and as a retired LEO, he knows that I know. He put up a high stockade fence as he was afraid that I'd monitor him (lucky me).

Answer 10

Wow, he is obviously one bored and ignorant individual. That is more than a little weird. Sorry, I don't have anything to offer as a suggestion. However, I hope someone gives you some useful advice. Good luck and God bless****