Bad Neighbor- how can I add privacy?

Iri9787817
by Iri9787817
We have a bad neighbor. Don't want to see what's going on there or them sit & watch us. We'll be sitting on our porch & he'll point his car at us & turn on headlights. I'm on a very limited income & disabled. Need to separate his lifestyle from ours. Cheapest way to do this but not cheap looking.
  11 answers
  • Tere Fredericks Tere Fredericks on Apr 24, 2017

    If you are renting, talk to your landlord. Maybe s/he can help. If you are renting, most likely he is as well. Talk to his landlord. Maybe s/he can help. Do you have a porch where you could hang a tarp? My husband did this on our porch when we had the same problem (and now does it every winter, although our landlord hates it, but it is better than ice on the porch!). Really all you need is the tarp, and a heavy duty stapler. If you can, have a youngin hang the tarp and just staple. Tarps can be expensive so be sure to look in dollar stores or ask to see if anyone has one they can donate. It worked for us, and as you, we are on limited income and disabled.

  • Crystal Crystal on Apr 24, 2017

    I would definatly use some of the random scaps of wood that the neighbor has laying over there an build a privacy fence, I d also call the township an complain. An you can also build a fence out of pallets which are 99% free. I really wish you the best of luck

  • Liz Liz on Apr 24, 2017

    My nephew is a police officer and said that this is harassment. Report this to your local police department. Ask them to drive by for a "trouble check" when your neighbor has his headlights turned toward you. Document the times and dates when he does this, and call the police to come out each time. That may be enough to discourage the bad neighbor, and prevent him from escalating things to a higher level of harassment.

  • Dee Dee on Apr 24, 2017

    I understand the unwillingness to complain, as this can lead to escalation and even worse problems. Depending on your set up, here are my thoughts:

    You could get two of those cement blocks (probably around 5 - 7$ each) that hold a 4 x 4 fence post and build yourself a removable fence panel, as high as possible. You could use pallet wood or 'found' scraps to build it or use it to hang a tarp. Or if you could find a panel from a wire fence, it could be mounted and you could weave fabric through it and make a yard art piece as well as a functional privacy fence. If you can't have something stationary, think about mounting on big hinges with a fence door wheel on one side so you can open/close it. Put your mind and imagination to it, and you will come up with something!


    Whatever you do, don't get too discouraged to sit out and enjoy the weather. That is the best thing to lift your spirits, especially if you are not able to take a long walk or otherwise actively enjoy the outdoors. And if you are not able to physically build something yourself, perhaps there is a church group or civic organization in the area that is able to come up with a way to help you out. Boy scouts?

  • Inetia Inetia on Apr 25, 2017

    you can get bamboo reed fencing at Home Depot that won't break the bank.

  • Cori Widen Cori Widen on Apr 25, 2017

    We use bamboo reed fencing as well - we live in an apartment but have two patios, and also felt like we needed more privacy. Sorry that you are having this experience!

  • Tova Pearl Tova Pearl on Apr 25, 2017

    Go to walmart.com or target.com and do a search for "outdoor room dividers" there are lots of things there that could serve your purpose, at different price ranges.

  • Sheri Powell Sheri Powell on Apr 25, 2017

    You don't have to put up with this. Call the police.

  • Iri9787817 Iri9787817 on Apr 25, 2017

    They're useless. They want pictures, videos. In other words they want me to do their job. I'm disabled/retired... I said to them what did they do before everyone had cell phones. No reply...

  • Willy boy 64 Willy boy 64 on Apr 25, 2017

    You can install a fence.

  • Janet Janet on Apr 26, 2017

    An inexpensive but more attractive alternative to hanging a tarp might be to hang an attractive vinyl tablecloth. At this time of year there is a nice selection at k-mart or target. They are lightweight and should be pretty easy to put up.