Seeking advice on indirect neighbour harassment
Context
My next-door neighbour in a HDB estate is constantly verbally rude – though not directly.
Every time my family members walk by his door, or if he is in the common area tending to his plants, he will be staring at us and muttering hokkien expletives under his breath but loud enough for us to hear.
It is clearly directed at us because of how consistently it happens – we once confronted him before, and he said “I didn’t call you, but if you think you’re the f-kers then that’s your problem”
We try to ignore him and not make eye contact, but I’m worried because I have three young children and elderly parents, both of whom he also antagonises.
There is no way to avoid walking in front of his door unfortunately, due to the layout of the floor landing.
Is there any way I can deal with this through legal means? I also don’t want to escalate to police and then they say “sort it out yourselves”, which might make it even worse.
I plan to start phone recording to get evidence every time this happens, but not sure if it will have any use.
Appreciate any advice!
Here are what netizens think
- Police or any legal method (town council included) will likely tell you exactly what you don’t want to hear, which is to sort it out between yourselves or escalate to mediation which is basically the same thing with extra steps.
It’s a civil matter and it isn’t a crime to “talk to own self only ma” as I’m sure he’ll say as an excuse.
Is there any reason you can think of why he would be hostile towards your family?