Ground-floor apartments come with obvious trade-offs. You might get easier access to the outdoors, but you also become painfully aware of just how little separates your living room from everyone wandering around outside.

One New Jersey renter says that problem has become increasingly unsettling after years of people entering a strip of grass directly outside her apartment where residents apparently aren’t supposed to be. Some bring their dogs, others peer through the windows, and a few have even attempted to strike up conversations after getting caught.

Management knows about the complaints but, according to the renter, little has changed beyond the occasional mass email.

Lately, however, the encounters have started feeling less like annoying neighbors ignoring the rules and more like genuine security concerns. She recently confronted an unfamiliar man lingering outside, and another stranger reportedly walked directly beside her balcony before taking off when he realized she was sitting there.

Moving isn’t financially possible for at least another six months, so now she’s wondering what she can actually do to feel safe in her own home.

Privacy Violation, Need Advice

I have lived in the same apartment on the bottom floor for around 3 years now. We have a sliding glass door that opens up to a small balcony area. There is a small patch of grass where no one other than maintenance workers and landscapers are supposed to be, then thick bushes sitting on a wall, some more grass, and then the sidewalk.

For years we’ve complained about people walking their dogs on this small strip and peering in to our apartment. A couple of these weirdos wanna strike up convo when you catch them doing it.

You can see straight into our living room, kitchen, and bedroom if our blinds aren’t drawn shut.

Noisy little buggers!

Not only this but we do have a cat we let sit outside (the sides of the railing are blocked and I’ve thrown garden netting over and around the railing itself) and many dogs (some not leashed) have run straight at her. Some owners think this is funny.

Again, we’ve complained. Mass emails are sent out to residents, but nothing is done.

Weeks ago I flung open the door and confronted some man standing out there looking around who was “checking something.” He had no business attire on indicating he was with any sort of company.

Talk about a breach of privacy.

About 10 minutes ago I felt like I had to go sit outside so I sat there in a dark corner of the balcony. Minutes later a man with a backpack on comes strolling by right next to our railing. He sees me and takes off.

At this point I’m so freaked out.

What the heck do I do other than get cameras? I feel like the negligence of this place has allowed these experiences to spiral into much scarier ones than before.

So scary.

Before anyone says it—moving has been in mind and is talked about, but financially it’s not going to be possible for another 6+ months.

Also I’m in NJ. If someone breaks into my place and I defend myself in too aggressive of a manner, I can get in trouble.

If their intentions weren’t known (LOL what a joke), being senseless about the protection of you, loved ones, and property does NOT fly here.

Commenters agreed that the renter’s frustration is understandable, but many also cautioned against assuming every person walking near the balcony has dangerous intentions. A ground-floor apartment beside a shared outdoor area will inevitably offer less privacy, even if residents aren’t technically supposed to use that particular strip of grass.

That doesn’t mean she has to simply accept strangers peering through her windows or unleashed dogs charging toward her cat. Cameras were an obvious suggestion, along with privacy film, curtains or blinds that allow light in without leaving the apartment completely exposed. Keeping the cat inside would also remove one major safety concern, particularly when management apparently isn’t enforcing leash or access rules effectively.

Most importantly, commenters encouraged her to document specific incidents rather than confronting unfamiliar people herself. If someone is genuinely attempting to enter the apartment or behaving threateningly, that’s different from merely walking somewhere they shouldn’t be and should be handled accordingly.

Management may absolutely need to do more, perhaps with signage or a physical barrier. But until she can move, creating more privacy and reducing direct confrontations may give her considerably more peace of mind than trying to police the grass herself.

This person has a good suggestion on what to do next.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a home buyer who was surprised to learn his neighbors were upset about him removing a fence.

This person has a similar suggestion.

And this person also agrees…

If management won’t keep strangers away from the windows, it may be time to make sure the windows stop giving them a show.