How To Protect Yourself From Nosey Neighbors | SafeWise (2024)

A good neighbor can improve your experience living in a community and can be a trusted resource to help protect your home. Not only can they become friends, but a good neighbor can also help provide extra security by watching your house when you go out of town. They can pick up your newspaper and mail for you, as well as report any suspicious activity. But that doesn’t give them a license to snoop at your home.

Here are some tips on how to keep your nosy neighbor from getting a little too invasive.

A sturdy, tall fence or a line of trees can go a long way in helping keep busybodies out of your hair. Your HOA may have rules in place that dictate if and where you can place a fence on your property. It’s also important to check with local authorizes to ensure that you don’t breach any height restrictions. Otherwise, a nice line of pine trees or bushes will help to block unwanted voyeurs. Make sure these stay trimmed and maintained so they don’t become a good hiding place for potential burglars.

A variety of curtains and blinds are on the market that can give you the privacy you crave. For starters, you can try honeycomb blinds that open from the top, rather than the bottom. They let the same amount of light in, but the bottom half prevents people from looking into your house. There are also privacy and lined curtains you can hang over your windows for protection.

If you’re concerned about aesthetics, there is an alternative to installing cameras in the open. Every security provider can include signs to place around your home to indicate their presence. It’s good for business, as well as deterring nosy neighbors. By placing them strategically around your home, you can let neighbors know that they’re being watched.

These simple, non-confrontational approaches can help let your neighbors know that, while you’re happy to have them around, you also want your privacy.