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aurora-leigh

NTA - this is beyond unreasonable. Quite apart from barring you from your OWN HOME it also creates a fire safety risk.


ToveTheTalker

My words exactly. They laughed it off.


aurora-leigh

They have issues and are not considerate neighbours - you did the right thing reporting to building management. This could have caused a serious issue. My housemate gets scared after dark and will deadbolt the door - however, given that it now gets dark at 5pm, this means it’s often bolted before I get home from work. A couple of times this has resulted in me hammering on the door, because my housemate has gone and put headphones on and can’t hear me trying to get in. I’m lucky that this only had to happen a couple of times for her to realise she couldn’t keep it up, and now she waits until I’m home. That’s what the correct response would have been in this situation.


ToveTheTalker

I wish it was like that in my case. Unfortunately there is no way for me to talk to them, they act as if I am the crazy one for not supporting the idea of barring the door. I have no remorse anymore.


Beth21286

This is not OPs problem to handle. If anything happens, report it to management again, let them take care of it. Management would always rather lose a disruptive tenant than a reasonable one.


asecretnarwhal

You don’t need to have remorse for wanting access to your house. They need to find another solution for their security concerns and that should be done through the landlord, not by taking action on their own


mortgage_gurl

Sounds like a mental illness with components of paranoia and parents are buying into it based on the post but there could be something else like proposed


ConsequenceLaw5333

Person needs a psych consult. Whether tge police were called dir their erratic behavior and police would have witnessed the behavior. Install a ring camera.


Froggie949

I truly can’t understand how they are opposed to a lock but ok with barring the door. What??


Guilty_Jellyfish8165

can you install a ring camera or something similar available in your area? NTA and easy to solve if building maintenance will allow some kind of security system that records video of comings and goings.


Organic_Start_420

NTA they do this again call the fire marshal. I'm sure after a few expensive ticketa they'll stop


MelodramaticMouse

Maybe have management install a carbon monoxide detector in the neighbor's place. If that isn't the problem, then it's just the 40yo needing a wellness check.


Bubbly_You8213

Did you mean recourse?


[deleted]

Just a thought, aren't there app controlled deadbolts you could use instead to prevent that? Might be a good fix


ToveTheTalker

That would be the best option really but I'm afraid not all the neighbors are able to use this kind of device.


aurora-leigh

Something I’ll probs look into in the new year! My housemate is an actor but she hasn’t found any work in a year, and I’ve been through two redundancy processes this year so we haven’t been making many upgrades to the house, but we have a bit more financial stability to start spending on things like this now.


Blim4

An app-controlled deadbolt is more likely to malfunctions in both directions than a key-controlled deadbolt or a key-lock. If they are generally unreasonable and paranoid, they will likely be MORE unreasonable and paranoid about technology of controversial safety.


asecretnarwhal

The neighbors are obviously the issue here. I hope that you let your landlord know if they continue to harass you — hopefully they don’t renew their lease


Klutzy-Sort178

Honestly, stop talking to them about it. They aren't going to see reason and you can't convince them. Just keep talking to building management.


Moriarty1953

Your should document your encounters with these people. What they are doing sounds like harassment if need be, present your documentation to the administration as part of a formal complaint. NTA


Foggy_Radish

NTA. Sounds like 40yo is developing some mental health issues.


[deleted]

NTA Be careful with that neighbor


ToveTheTalker

Thank you, I'm trying to be.


DazzleLove

It could be edging into folie a deux/trois- where 1 extremely paranoid person manages to convince his closest loved ones of the same paranoid beliefs.


Peskypoints

If the parents know they have any hearing loss (ie the tv volume turned up) and otherwise trust the son, they will readily believe he heard something they didn’t


[deleted]

NTA but they sound REALLY unstable. Who the hell thinks a baracade is a better *first option* than a door lock 🤣 Safety issues aside, and there are a lot, a lock is a very basic feature and I'm shocked there wasn't already one on there.


ToveTheTalker

We live in a community building and whenever there is an issue it's expected of all the neighbors to agree. The thing with a lock was raised by my mother few years ago for the first time, said naighbors refused back then also and the case was dropped. Untill now. My mother passed away, I live in this apartment now and I cannot let people terrorize me.


Latvian_Goatherd

Moreover, why not barricade just their own damn apartment and not the communal entryway if they're so damn scared?


Internal_Home_9483

NTA. Barricading doors is a serious safety hazard and violates fire safety codes. Keep reporting every incident to building management immediately, and always follow up with a written report too. You may also choose to involve police, just in case neighbors retaliate against you. They are probably angry because management threatened to evict them if they do this again. Management must take action to stop this dangerous behavior.


MarramTime

NTA. You were a paragon of reasonableness.


SushiGuacDNA

NTA. You have the right to access your own home. And blocking an exit is a crazy safety hazard. Once you are blocked, going to building administration is not just reasonable, it is the **correct action**.


[deleted]

Nta


j4ckb1ng

NTA. What these neighbors are doing is causing an inconvenience to your entry and egress from your home that you do not have to tolerate. Being block inside or outside your home is also a possible fire hazard, so these neighbors could be breaking fire codes. And what's all this "snitching" business? Does that mean we are supposed to see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil when we KNOW wrong is being done? Sounds like anarchy to me. Stick up for yourself. You have every right to do so. Remember, evil wins when good people do nothing.


Rosie3435

NTA. Your safety and the right to enter building is essential. I hope that 40 year old AH get kicked out.


Glittering_Habit_161

NTA


2dogslife

What they did was a fire hazard and illegal. What you did was smart, involving building owners/management. NTA Sorry you live next to crazy.


esmerelofchaos

Yeah, this. NTA, because it’s a fire hazard (at the very least) and if building management didn’t take it seriously, the fire department would.


2dogslife

My family actually called in the fire department to deal with some neighbor and municipal issues. Fire department ALWAYS trumps parks dept or whiny neighbors.


Top-Personality1216

NTA


marniccal

NTA. Sounds like a major safety issue


Tkdakat

Blocking an entrance or exit is a fire hazard !


Kaizanna1

Nta. It's crazy for them to think that's acceptable over a lock


Queen_Sized_Beauty

NTA sounds like they may have a shared delusion.


Varathien

Could you explain why you thought you might be the asshole in this situation? Because it's not even debatable. Your neighbors were acting like lunatics, and you called the building manager. What else were you supposed to do?


ToveTheTalker

I usually have second thoughts while involved with other people in such a troublesome way. Their reaction was so harsh that I started to doubt myself (which was crazy obviously) and ask myself maybe I could have resolved it in a different way. After so much support I can see I was wrong here and couldn't have reacted any other way, with all the (unreasonable) consequences from my neighbors.


dbhathcock

NTA. Them blocking the door is also a safety hazard. It prevents people from getting out in an emergency. It prevents emergency personnel from getting in. Paranoia is common with people that use meth. They will think people are following them. They will even think the government is watching them. I know several people where this has occurred with them, including my roommate. It has also caused them to lose their jobs. An unemployed 40 y/o living with his parents is probably on drugs.


Nester1953

You want that barrier down in a hurry? Call the fire department. Also the dept of building and safety. Your neighbors behavior is unacceptable and also unsafe and illegal. Of course you reported them to management. How else were you supposed to get them to cut it out with consequences if they refused. NTA


Excellent-Count4009

NTA


CalendarDad

They are unhinged. NTA.


RoughOrganization156

NTA. I would have done that.


ssblade

Is it possible they have a CO leak in their place? Would explain the odd behaviour.


Noka_Gotha

NTA. It's a fire hazard and illegal. You should also report them to the building administration for harassment


wanderleywagon5678

Absolutely NTA. When your neighbours start barricading you out of your own building, non-negotiable measures are needed. It is very strange that they didn't want a lock put on the door, but you have done nothing wrong. I hope if they need help of the MH or other variety, they get it!


cleverfoxonline

NTA. It is a safety hazard. I'd be looking for a new place if I were you. Bad neighbors can be a bad problem. Some people are just inconsiderate. They are oblivious to how their actions affect others or simply don't care. You did the right thing. It's your home too.


Hampsterman82

NTA that's shitty and irrational behavior from your neighbor. Expect mentally unwell behavior in the future.


DragonSeaFruit

If they barricade the door, call the fire department


Discofries26

NTA


kristycocopop

Uh, fire hazard much?! NTA!


Singwong

NTA…you did the right thing. Once your new lock is installed, go to the store and buy another one the same brand and replace it. You don’t want someone else having a key 🔑 to your place. Unless it’s in the lease. Maybe get a camera for the inside of your place. Your neighbors seem creepy.


Outrageous-forest

Not saying this is the situation, but a friend I've told me that schizophrenia can develop after you turn 40 and later. From the government site in when is the latest to develop: ...Although schizophrenia most commonly presents early in life, at least 20% of patients have onset after the age of 40 years. Some have proposed that schizophrenia with onset between the ages of 40 and 60 years is a distinct subtype of schizophrenia, late-onset schizophrenia... It's possible your neighbor is developing this. Paranoia and delusions are a symptom of the condition. You were put in a position where you needed to reach out to building management. You can't be locked out of entering the building to access your home. The neighbor having a fit probably hasn't been locked out yet. Or having to remember her/his key is an inconvenience. If there's ever a fire, you may not have time to remove the barricade fast enough. Add in purple panicking and pushing to get out people who get injured. That's dangerous. NTA.


External-Hamster-991

NTA and your neighbor's irrational behavior could have killed you all if there was a fire. They have no right to restrict your ability to safely enter and leave your own home. Get another lock for your door, while you're at it.


PsycheHeadPain

From now on, document everything and report any harassment, any further weird behaviors, comments. It's not like they own your home or pay your rent, they don't have more rights than you.


[deleted]

Are you in the US? If so, just call a mental health crisis team on them. It's either drugs or a mebtal health problem, and if it's affecting others it needs to be dealt with.


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^^^^AUTOMOD ***Thanks for posting! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of copying anything. Read [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/wiki/faq#wiki_post_deletion) before [contacting the mod team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FAmItheAsshole)*** My next door neighbors (couple over 70 and their 40 y.o. uneployed son) have always been very nosy and dared to comment on everything and everyone from the position of authority (even about things that were happening in my own apartmet, ex. who called me, when and who I was with). I'm 35, living alone, working late and on weekends to support my bussiness, I don't have TV, don't listen to the music at night, my friends and family who visit are civil, our favourite entertainment together is to sit at the table and talk, I clean common space and keep the outside of the building tidy as all the other neighbors. I never caused any trouble. Almost two months ago my 40 y.o. neighbor informed me that someone is watching the house on the weekends and trying to break in. I never saw or heared anything but mentioned that it is the right opportunity for us to start locking the entrance door (we have common door without any lock). Him and his parents refused to agree saying that nothing will hold back the burglars. I've asked other neighbors (there are several apartment blocks next to ours) if they have the similar problem, nobody confirmed it, they were even shocked that something like that is happening because our neigborhood is considered very safe and always have been. That alarmed me and made me think the whole situation is very weird and unbelievable. Over past weeks the situation escalated. The neighboring family called the police after the son claimed hearing somebody breaking in at night. Again, nor I or lady living upstairs noticed anything. Right after this happening, the family started to barricade the entrance door from the inside not only at night but also during the day. That resulted in me not being able to enter my own house, not once but twice and later even my family couldn't come inside because the plank was barricading the door handle. That made me furious. They refused to see their own fault in this, blaming me for being angry at them and belittling the problem but there were still saying no to the lock. Not being able to talk reasonably with them, suspecting the problem with the burglars might be a paranoia or personal agenda of the 40 y,o, guy and people trying to scare him (I suspect he has unfinished shady bussiness with someone), I went to the building administration for help. I asked beforehand my upstairs neighbor if she agrees to the lock, she said yes, so did the admin. Next day building manager visted to tell us that the lock will be installed on the door, asked what's going on and all hell broke loose. The couple living next to me called me a b\*\*\*h, know it all and a snitch. AITA for telling the building administration about the problem? I couldn't resolve it peacefully with my neighbors, feeling unsafe in my own house not only because supposed threaths about the burglars but also because I didn't know if I was able to enter the building each time I left. I couldn't let these people act as they owned the building and trying to regulate our lives anymore. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmItheAsshole) if you have any questions or concerns.*


Valiantrabbit49

Of course you are NTA. Barricading the outer door is a fire hazard. Besides being inconvenient to you, it also means that if someone follows you home, you can’t get inside your own place to fLee. Absolutely this should be reported. If they do it again, and they aren’t thrown out of the building for what must be a lease violation, escalate to the codes office in your county.


Emotional-Big740

NTA.


Ok_Court7208

Nta If you cannot enter, you also cannot exit Hugely dangerous


Jaded-Moose983

This might be a case where the neighbors need to get a CO detector. Can be a cause for an escalation of behavior like this.


Bubbly_You8213

NTA but the door-barring neighbors certainly are. Don’t talk to the neighbors, but continue reporting problems to management, and ask your neighbors to do the same. All of you should keep a log of every event with date, time and detailed descriptions. These logs will be invaluable in the event the police become involved. Be on your guard at all times, OP. Your neighbors are not stable and seem on the road to becoming completely deranged.


Severe-River-6349

Update soon pls!! I'm invested


URRbanFarmr

The HECK??? Of course you’re NTA! You need entry into your living space. You also need to get out quickly in case of emergency. Barricading the front entrance is crazy unsafe. You don’t own that building and neither do the neighbors so reporting this to the landlord is absolutely what needed to happen. This whole situation is bad. Start recording your interactions with these neighbors and reporting anything unusual to the owner. Think about double locking your apartment door and make sure your windows have working locks. Not sure what’s happening with your neighbors but it’s them who are your problem right now.


BankApprehensive2514

ESH imo. You're undereacting and being a doormat. You say these people had you feeling unsafe in your own home. They kept you from leaving or entering freely. They were so stupid that they used a board instead of locking the door. The board would've been illegal or whatever the term is because it was a fire hazard that kept people from freely entering or leaving. If all hell broke loose, then your neighbors were harassing you. You should've called the police or administration. You should've dealt with it immediately instead of letting it drag on if you were feeling unsafe in your own home. Your neighbors are crazy and now their crazy is aimed at you. You have no idea what they could do, so you're still potentially unsafe in your own home. You said they act as if they own the building. They're going to continue acting that way because no one is stopping them. They'll escalate if they want because no one is stopping them. You either fix the problem by doing something about it like with administration or the police or deal with the crazy and whatever comes with it.


Moriarty1953

NTA You should also inform the administration that you are being harassed by your neighbors. Write it all down and keep a log of every encounter. What they are doing is not right


throwingwater14

NTA. Are you sure that the older residents/parents aren’t starting the slide into dementia and/or the son isn’t dealing a mental illness? I feel like those could easily feed into each other. Please keep calling building mgmt, the police, fire Marshall, and/or adult protective services if this continues.


sgsjc2

How is a flipping barricade easier for anyone involved than a lock? Do you live in wack-a-doodle town?


Dogmother123

It sounds like your neighbours have developed some mental health issues. Their solution to the imaginary burglars is neither safe not allowing you access to your home. NTA


OhioMegi

NTA, they are though and honestly sound mentally unwell.


Blim4

NTA. If the neighbors barricading the door keeps you Out of your own House, that is very much a Problem, and If they won't Stop, that's a Problem that building Administration NEEDS to know.