03 February 2024 , 09:44
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When you home alone minding your own business, that last thing you expect is to hear someone enter your home without an invitation.
Your mind might go to the very worst scenario - including someone breaking in to steal something, or to harm you. But even if that wasn't their aim, it would no doubt make you feel violated to know that a practical stranger was wandering around your space.
This is exactly what happened to a 21-year-old man, who explained that his neighbour had let herself into his apartment without any warning. The man was understandably left "shaken up", and took to Reddit to explain what had happened.
The anonymous forum user explained that the neighbour had been "incredibly helpful" when he first moved in, but had recently become "pushy", and had been asking him to hang out, even becoming annoyed when he said no. So when she let herself into his apartment without knowing he was home, he started to "freak out".
He wrote: "This only just happened, and I'm still pretty shaken up, so forgive me if this is a bit disjointed. I (21M) moved into my first solo apartment last April, and had basically nothing when I moved in. My neighbour [sic] C, down the hall, is an older lady, probably 50s, and had been incredibly helpful getting me settled in, and helped me do a few things like getting my cat fixed and occasionally giving me rides to work.
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"She also gifted me some furniture and a TV, so I've been very fond of her- until now. Recently she's been getting a little pushy with me, trying to get me to come hang out with her more often, and getting almost annoyed at me when I'd turn her down or do things she offered to take me to by myself instead (she often wants to take me to the store and I prefer to shop alone).
"I have a cat that she's very fond of, and she frequently buys him gifts and leaves treats for him. Her cat passed around Christmas, so I've said that if she ever wants to see him, she can text me and come by to hang out with him. She doesn't have a key to my place, but I tend to leave the door unlocked as my building is pretty secure and you need multiple keys to even reach my floor.
"That brings us to today. I was home at an odd time, in my bedroom with the door shut. And she let herself into my apartment. Without texting me. I heard her speaking but initially wrote it off as coming from the hall as the walls are pretty thin. She went all the way into my living room, and dropped off a cat toy, played with my cat for a few minutes, and then left. She had no idea I was home.
"I freaked out, and texted her daughter E (22) to let her know what'd happened, and E said she'd had no idea this was happening. C then knocked on my door to try and apologise, I didn't answer. She's since texted me to say that she's never done this before, and was simply bringing by gifts for "the baby". I don't believe her. She was far too comfortable in my house for this to have been a one-time thing.
"I'm going back to using both the deadbolt and the bottom lock, as she told me a few months ago without the deadbolt she can still open my front door. I feel violated right now."
People felt sorry for the woman in question, but also said that extra security was a good idea for the man. One wrote: "A deadbolt is good. Locking your door is a good start.
"Say neighbour, let's talk. I know you miss your beloved cat. Maybe you and I can go go the shelter and find you a new companion or two. They have all these lonely cats who need a loving mamma. Let’s go on my next day off. And please don't go in my apartment when I'm not there."
Someone else warned: "Seriously, lock your door. There are no excuses or exceptions to this. All it takes is one bad person visiting a resident, a workman, someone let in by mistake, and then getting into your apartment and your life can be changed badly."
Another commented: "I would feel very violated too. This is not the first time. I would get a camera to point at the front door (don't tell her) and engage all locks whether you are home or not."
What would you do in this situation? Let us know in the comments.
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