Deirdre O Meara 
A Texas homeowner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, erected a 7ft fence around their garden to maintain privacy from their pesky neighbour. However, their neighbour retaliated by installing a camera overlooking the fence. The homeowner claims that they have been experiencing problems with their neighbour for years, and they hoped that the fence would put an end to it. They wrote on Reddit: “I’ve been having problems with this neighbour since they moved in years ago. Decided to build a privacy fence and be done with them once and for all. One month later they raise the height of their fence and this [a camera] pops up.”
The homeowner is frustrated and feels helpless as the police are not taking any action against the neighbour, and they cannot afford to take the matter to court. However, social media users have come to their rescue, offering suggestions on how to deal with the nosey neighbour. One user suggested placing a pinwheel in front of the camera to block its view, while another suggested putting up a fake camera. A third user recommended raising the fence by two feet, but only in front of the camera, while another suggested pointing a laser directly at the camera at night.
This incident follows a similar dispute between neighbours in which Alex McCormick found a way to come out on top. McCormick had a dispute with his “petty” neighbour, which led to them putting up a new fence directly in front of his. McCormick then shared a video on TikTok showing his neighbour’s new fence accompanied by the words “how to get a new fence for free”. As the camera pans away from the new panels, viewers can see an old discoloured fence lying on the ground in his garden. McCormick then reveals that he has discovered another easy life hack in just three simple steps. He said: “Have your petty neighbour build a new fence directly against yours.” He then follows this by saying: “Tear out your old fence. Profit?”
Disputes between neighbours are not uncommon, but they can be avoided if both parties communicate and compromise. Erecting a fence may seem like a good solution to maintain privacy, but it can also escalate the situation and lead to retaliation. Therefore, it is essential to try and resolve the issue before it gets out of hand. Talking to the neighbour and finding a mutually beneficial solution can be a good way to prevent the situation from escalating. If talking to the neighbour does not work, seeking mediation or legal advice may be necessary. However, it is important to remember that taking legal action can be expensive, and it may not always be the best solution.
In conclusion, disputes between neighbours can be frustrating and stressful, but they can be resolved if both parties are willing to communicate and compromise. Erecting a fence may seem like a good solution, but it can also escalate the situation and lead to retaliation. Therefore, it is important to try and resolve the issue before it gets out of hand. Seeking mediation or legal advice may be necessary, but it is important to remember that taking legal action can be expensive, and it may not always be the best solution.
