Harassment from condo balcony neighbor

[Anonymous]

I rent a condo from an owner in NW DC. The building is L-shaped, and my balcony faces an interior courtyard/parking lot, so there isn’t much privacy. A neighbor who lives one floor above and to the left of me spends a lot of time on her balcony smoking (illegally), playing loud music, and speaking loudly, often seemingly to no one.

None of this really bothered me until three recent incidents, all of which followed a similar pattern. When she notices me sitting on my balcony reading or on my phone, she starts loudly telling me to mind my business and making other random comments. She then points her phone at me (I’m not sure if she’s recording or FaceTiming someone) and says things like, “there she is, that’s her,” and threatens to call the police.

I don’t engage and do my best to ignore her, usually going back inside after about 10 minutes—but I hate feeling like I have to give in to that behavior. While the noise and general behavior are annoying, what really bothers me is the filming. It makes me very uncomfortable not knowing what she’s doing with the footage or who she might be sharing it with. Since I’m a renter, I don’t have a direct line to the condo association and haven’t raised it with them. I’m also concerned that escalating it could lead to more harassment.

Has anyone dealt with something like this or have advice on how to handle it?

[Anonymous]

Have you spoken to the Condo owner?
Not sure she is doing anything illegal, although it is annoying.

[Anonymous]

You move (to a different condo on the outside edge, for ex), or you accept you cannot use your balcony when she's on hers. She sounds insane.

[Anonymous]

I would hate this. Is there a way to put up some kind of privacy screen or awning or even an umbrella chair?

Also, definitely tell your landlord. If you can surreptitiously video her (at least capturing the audio but also some quick video), send it to your landlord when you email them.

Also, you posted this on two different forums. I’m reporting the post in “off-topic” to Jeff for removal.

[Anonymous]

Is the other person an owner or a renter? Is it a no smoking building in the bylaws?

My building we almost went no smoking but in vote our lawyer recommend we grandfather all current owners and tenants who smoke so we get vote. I know that is common as lived next to a smoker in my coop in NYC and a lady nextdoor smoked in laundry room, hallways, in a no smoking building as she was grandfathered. We went no smoking in 1991. We all laughed they will all die off eventually.

[Anonymous]

Get some wind chimes. She will thank you later.

[Anonymous]

Explore privacy screen, awning, hanging plants, anything to block the line of sight between her and you.
IKEA has some nice privacy screen and balcony items.

[Anonymous]

Agree about privacy screening. Arrange furniture so your back is to her. She’s trying to provoke. Do Not Engage. She’s mental.

[Anonymous]

several good suggestions here. I'd also recommend a video camera (not pointed at her, but instead on your own space) for added protection, if permissable.

[Anonymous]

Would this help?

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/naemmaroe-privacy-screen-light-brown-stained-indoor-outdoor-20532743/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10676958373&gbraid=0AAAAAD27g7xbwb95Qk2I808IiepNKQT_6&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3I3zz-PtkwMVKV1HAR1jEh5QEAQYASABEgJGqvD_BwE

[Anonymous]

Is she a different race? It sounds like she is trying to bait you so she can have one of those viral racist Karen videos. The reason ut sounds like that to me is how she starts her video saying "that's her" as if you had been doing something to her before she started filming, so that any reaction from you looks unjustified. Until you can put up privacy screens or move, you need to be careful and be as calm and polite as possible.

[Anonymous]

She seems to have mental health issues.
A lot of people have issues.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I would try to move when you can. She sounds mentally ill and you are not going to be able to change that. I agree about putting up privacy screens - read your lease and see what is allowed.

If you need to break your lease to move, you should tell your landlord in writing, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is she a different race? It sounds like she is trying to bait you so she can have one of those viral racist Karen videos. The reason ut sounds like that to me is how she starts her video saying "that's her" as if you had been doing something to her before she started filming, so that any reaction from you looks unjustified. Until you can put up privacy screens or move, you need to be careful and be as calm and polite as possible.

that would be my concern is well

[Anonymous]

I guess you could video her while she videos you. That might be poking the bear though. Honestly, I would want to stay under the radar with this nutter.