‘Strangers keep trying to get into my house and it’s all my neighbour’s fault’

A woman is sick and tired of dealing with the same issue – which has been ongoing for 20 years – but she’s not sure what action to take without rocking the boat with her neighbour

A woman is at her wits’ end after strangers keep trying to get into her home, all because of her neighbours’ holiday cottage rental business. After 20 years with the same problem, the woman and her family are livid over the “stupid people” who keep pestering them about the business when they have nothing to do with it – but they want to avoid a confrontation with their neighbours.

However, the constant barrage of people banging on their door at all hours is getting harder and harder to cope with. In a post on Reddit, the woman sought advice on what measures to take without rocking the boat with their neighbours, as they get on well otherwise.

In the social media post, titled: “Strangers keep coming to my house because of my neighbour”, the woman explained their neighbours “have a set of small cottages” which they rent out to tourists visiting the area on holiday.

Their house is “hidden behind a long winding driveway and is detached” from their neighbours’ house and the cottages, but it’s “pretty clear to most people that it’s a house”.

The holiday cottages are nearby and “completely visible”, as is “the carpark and numerous buildings” – so the woman is confused why so many guests have such an issue finding it and mistaking her home for part of the rental.

She continued: “Instead, we have strangers coming up our driveway, parking in our drive and knocking on our door at all hours of the day. Sometimes it’s at midnight, sometimes 6am.

“It’s not everyday, but it’s often enough and has been going on for the almost 20 years we’ve been living here that I’m just so annoyed by it I want to scream.”

Branding the people who knock on their door as “the most stupid type of people”, she explained she points out where the cottages are and directs them to go up the other driveway instead of hers but said they still “act confused”.

She said: “Often my neighbours are out so these strangers come BACK and ask us what to do. Why would I know???? Leave me alone?? This is private property. It’s my HOME.”

They’ve also had people go into their back garden and walk into their living room.

She added: “We even have a sign at the end of our driveway that says private property. Apparently some people just don’t care?! And there are signs on our neighbours driveway that explain where the cottages are.”

In the comment section, people were keen to offer their advice. One person suggested she tell the neighbours that she’ll call the police if their guests don’t stop pestering them or assuming her property is associated with the holiday cottages.

The woman said she’s “been considering it” but is wary because her neighbours are “good people” who helped her out during the pandemic.

Other people suggested the woman make it clearer that guests are not supposed to be in her area.

One Reddit user said: “Yup, a sign saying private property on a road lined with private properties doesn’t actually tell anyone they’re in the wrong place.”

Someone else agreed: “Yeah, they have a sign that says private property, which is true of every single driveway along the road. There’s no indication they’ve done anything to explain to people that they’re in the wrong place.”

Agreeing, another added: “If I were confused, I would assume that the ‘No trespassing’ sign meant anyone who isn’t renting a cottage isn’t allowed on the property. If I were to put a sign up, it would say:

“‘STOP! Look behind you (or left or right) Those are the cottages you are looking for. This is private property.’

“And I would talk to the cottage owners to see if you can come up with a plan together.