A homeowner who moved into a new area has been repeatedly harassed by a neighbour over the volume of their television, with the situation escalating to late-night tapping on windows.
Neighbour Complaints and Harassment
Sharing the ordeal on Reddit, the resident explained that from almost the first night, the neighbours complained about noise from their TV. They adjusted by moving the television to a room without a shared wall, using closed captions and turning the volume as low as possible while still being able to hear.
The homeowner stated: "I just moved to a new area, and I'm having issues surrounding my new neighbours. From almost the very first night since I've moved in, the neighbour(s) have complained about the noise from my TV."
Despite these efforts, the neighbour reached through the fence with an object to tap on the living room window late at night. The resident, who lives alone and suffers from anxiety, said each occurrence leaves them feeling "uneasy and unsafe."
Further Details and Adjustments
In a subsequent update, the homeowner clarified that the TV was originally in the bedroom where walls are closer, but was moved to the lounge room after initial complaints. The volume is kept at 20-25 during the day and lowered to 12-15 with closed captions during quiet hours. They avoid content with high pitches or low bass.
The resident has booked a hearing test and plans to check if the TV is compatible with Bluetooth headphones.
Security Measures and Reddit Reactions
To document further harassment, the homeowner intends to install a motion-activated camera pointing towards their own garden, avoiding the neighbour's property.
Reddit users offered suggestions, including a motion-sensor sprinkler aimed over the fence at night, upgrading the sound system to drown out the neighbour, or calling the police to report an intruder.
What to Do If a Neighbour Is Trespassing
In the UK, if a neighbour trespasses and taps on windows at night, it is advised to prioritise safety, document incidents, report harassment to the police, and secure property boundaries. Setting up cameras or video doorbells for clear proof is recommended, as is fixing or upgrading fencing and adding thorny plants near boundaries.
