Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Aug 25, 2010 9:24 am Hi All, Our neighbors recently renovated their backyard. Their property was always slightly higher than ours and we could usually see them sitting out under their pergola. The nosey cow use to come out regularly if we were out side or me hanging my washing just to have a sticky beak, she would sit there and watch, my hubby use to say to her 'its not days of our lives' go back inside you nosey so and so'... Anyway they recently made some alterations, put u a huge high fence - good riddens! but on the top of their pergola they have put a plastic Owl statue with beedy eyes and electrical condute that follows it all the way up like there is electricity powering this owl statue for something. The way the statue is facing it makes sure to face and cover our whole back yard and pool area, and even our bed room window. Its freaky and hubby and i wonder if in fact it may be some kind of security camera and also where we stand as to questioning them about it or getting authorities involved to check it out. Are neighbors allowed to have cameras facing into your yard? Isn't that a peeping tom? Plus its going to be hard to accuse them cause it looks like a statue. What do you think? Very disturbed RenoQueen xx Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 2Aug 25, 2010 10:16 am Those owls are usually there to scare off possums. You can get them for about $15 at Bunnings. IMO you might be a bit sensitive. Have a look at bunnings to see if its the same type of "statue". Do you really think someone can be bothered enough to spend money to video tape you secretly? Even if they are very nosey. Nonna's Nest House set for completion November 2013 Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 3Aug 25, 2010 11:54 am The owl is a bird scarer, to stop them pooing everywhere. We have a couple. Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 4Aug 25, 2010 11:55 am I'm afraid my imagination would lead me to believe the same RenoQueen I sometimes think I should be a PD but I'm usually wrong Even so, it would still unnerve me a bit thinking it was a camera I'd be getting hubby to do some skinny dipping can you get on a ladder and spray paint its eyes Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 5Aug 26, 2010 3:29 pm Yes I googled it - the owl is to scare off pigeons. Usually wouldn't think anything of it except for the fact that it has electrical condute following it all the way up there the pagola, and the fact she is SO SO SO nosey, she still comes out EVERY time Im out there or we have guests to have a listen or a look-see if she can. Even if we are at the front. I honestly think she has not a thing better to do. Hubby cant stand it, he has had to tell her many times to mind her own business. Could be paranoid but still wonder where we stand as to getting it checked out to find out for good. I can't even keep my bedroom blinds open anymore cause the beady eyes stare rite in - gives me the creeeeepss! Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 6Aug 26, 2010 3:48 pm You have no where to stand if it is on her property. You have been told what it is - time to move on. Also she does have every right to be in her backyard when she wants - it is only going to antagonise the situation should you / your husband keep telling her to go away. Seriously - doesn't anyone ever think of it from the other side? What if it was you going into your backyard and the neighbour was abusing you? You would be on here just as quickly going on about what an invasion of your privacy that the neighbour wouldn't let you sit in your own backyard!!! Some things are worth waiting for. Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 7Aug 26, 2010 7:13 pm Quote: The nosey cow use to come out regularly if we were out side or me hanging my washing just to have a sticky beak, she would sit there and watch, my hubby use to say to her 'its not days of our lives' go back inside you nosey so and so'... Refrained from replying to first post but Im with Kyton - Id be very annoyed it if I was just sitting in my backyard - just sitting you said, not climbing on ladders or anything to see over - and neighbours told me to do this. In fact I would probably sit out there on purpose after that just because I can - which may be what she is doing now, and cant really blame her Quote: Anyway they recently made some alterations, put u a huge high fence - good riddens So, then they put up a high fence - isnt this good, doesnt this solve the problem of her being able to see into your yard? I dont understand the problem They cant help it if you find their decoration/bird scarer owl creepy - Quote: I can't even keep my bedroom blinds open anymore cause the beady eyes stare rite in Now that's silly, you know its not connected to anything, its just a cheap bird scarer from Bunnings, it is an inanimate object, its eyes cant see anything. Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 9Aug 27, 2010 3:05 pm Yeah I see your point and I did have empathy for her at one point. I guess you would have to see it to believe it! Neighbors sitting area is around the other side of her house. she comes and stands on her path, hands on hips and just stares! She has also been known to come and stand right at the fence line and just stand and listen. She loves to just stand there and watch while I hang out the washing... Its hard to explain t So u guys all think Im crazy..... Hrmmmm still doesn't explain the electrical cable going up the pergola and into the statue. Like the useful comment about planting a large tree but their property sits so much higher than ours. Hubby is looking into doing a 6m bamboo screening wall. Which we think may work. Might have to contact my local council or community watch for some more insight as to where we stand with regards to a camera possibly facing directly into our yard. If it is a camera this thing covers the WHOLE yard, my bedroom, kids rooms and the pool area included. Thanks everyone for your help Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 10Aug 27, 2010 4:36 pm I don't think you're crazy. Take a picture and post it here. Does it look anything like this? http://globalcctvsec.en.tradekool.com/buying_leads/info/1763978/Owl-Security-Camera.html Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 11Aug 27, 2010 5:27 pm I still say do a birthday suit rendition of Swan Lake for her. Seriously, why not change tactics, when she comes out wave and yell out "Hi Mrs Whoever, how are you today, would you like to come over for a cuppa" she'll run a mile Seriously seriously, I think she is doing it to spite you because you tell her off, give her a wave and just do whatever it is you're doing IGNORE HER Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 12Aug 27, 2010 6:04 pm Ever though of living on acreage? Just completed build with Hallmark Homes Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 13Aug 27, 2010 6:08 pm Oh nosey neighbours would annoy the crap outta me! I'm very paranoid about our privacy in our new house. Our entertaining area faces the side of the house (to our neighbours utility side), I'm always paranoid that they can see into our house (just put new blinds up), and hear our conversations. My advice, just go about your day putting up your washing. Treat her like she's not even there. Perhaps in your bedroom you can hang a shear curtain or something, so that you can still open your blinds to let the day light on, but stop her potentially seeing in. Personally I hate anyone seeing in our house, which is why we have translucent glass on our front door and side lights, and obscure glass on the bathroom/ensuite windows. I love the light, but love my privacy more. Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 14Aug 28, 2010 9:53 am Greenhaven Ever though of living on acreage? I second that, you are far enough from your neighbours it becomes a non issue if you have a nosy neighbour I would say, as we are lucky that we have good neighbours and don't have the issue you have. If I was to win Lotto, I would build with a different builder, now to win lotto Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 15Aug 28, 2010 10:13 am kyton You have no where to stand if it is on her property. You have been told what it is - time to move on. Also she does have every right to be in her backyard when she wants - it is only going to antagonise the situation should you / your husband keep telling her to go away. Seriously - doesn't anyone ever think of it from the other side? What if it was you going into your backyard and the neighbour was abusing you? You would be on here just as quickly going on about what an invasion of your privacy that the neighbour wouldn't let you sit in your own backyard!!! I disagree.. just because it's on their property doesn't give them the right to impinge on your lifestyle, if your neighbour plays the drums and you can hear it inside your home, you can legally have the drumming stopped. I'd question why the bird scarer is facing away from the neighbours property and why it has conduit. I'd also claim that birds no longer enter your property as a direct result of your neighbours bird scarer, your neighbour may have a right to scare off birds on their property, but not on yours or anyone else's. I'm with the understanding (you'll need to verify with your local council) that bird scarers are NOT permitted unless approved by your local council. Quote: PART 3 – INTENTION TO USE A DEVICE 10. Notification of Intention to use a Device 10.1. Persons intending to operate a bird scaring device(s) must notify the Council of their intention to do so outlining; 10.1.1 their name and address; 10.1.2 the number of devices intended to be used; 10.1.3 the type of each device; and 10.1.4 the minimum distance from occupied neighbouring premises. If the bird scarer is a disguised camera ... well that just opens up a can of worms, you'd have to question the intent. If I was as worried as you are I'd be making a call to the cops and get them to investigate your suspicion. Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 16Aug 28, 2010 10:51 am TheOK kyton You have no where to stand if it is on her property. You have been told what it is - time to move on. Also she does have every right to be in her backyard when she wants - it is only going to antagonise the situation should you / your husband keep telling her to go away. Seriously - doesn't anyone ever think of it from the other side? What if it was you going into your backyard and the neighbour was abusing you? You would be on here just as quickly going on about what an invasion of your privacy that the neighbour wouldn't let you sit in your own backyard!!! I disagree.. just because it's on their property doesn't give them the right to impinge on your lifestyle, if your neighbour plays the drums and you can hear it inside your home, you can legally have the drumming stopped. I'd question why the bird scarer is facing away from the neighbours property and why it has conduit. I'd also claim that birds no longer enter your property as a direct result of your neighbours bird scarer, your neighbour may have a right to scare off birds on their property, but not on yours or anyone else's. I'm with the understanding (you'll need to verify with your local council) that bird scarers are NOT permitted unless approved by your local council. Quote: PART 3 – INTENTION TO USE A DEVICE 10. Notification of Intention to use a Device 10.1. Persons intending to operate a bird scaring device(s) must notify the Council of their intention to do so outlining; 10.1.1 their name and address; 10.1.2 the number of devices intended to be used; 10.1.3 the type of each device; and 10.1.4 the minimum distance from occupied neighbouring premises. If the bird scarer is a disguised camera ... well that just opens up a can of worms, you'd have to question the intent. If I was as worried as you are I'd be making a call to the cops and get them to investigate your suspicion. I'm with Kyton. Wow, whatever happened to neighbourliness? The bird scarers refered to in council regulations are the ones that go "Bang" every couple of minutes all day long. Plastic owls would not count in the regs any more than garden gnomes, which have been known to scare small children and dogs. The wire attached to the owl (if it is a wire), could be a lightening conductor or a way of moving the owl (static owls lose their potency as birds get used to them), or even a speaker through which they can make owl noises . If you are really worried, get a laser pointer and point it at the "camera" for a few seconds... result, dead camera. But I think you will only be dazzling a plastic owl, which may or may not impress it, whoooo knows. Now go and invite them round for a barbeque... We now own 4 owls... , so you can practice dazzling them if you like, target practice so to speak. Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 17Aug 28, 2010 11:01 am Would you mind posting a pic of the owl. Usually these sort of security cameras would have infrared lighting on it, so you can usually check for infrared lighting using a digital camera, since most do not filter out the infrared light. Just check your camera by getting one of your tv remotes and pressing a button and see if the camera can see the light. if it can wait till night and point it at the owl. it should light up if it has infrared leds on it. Re: neighbors security camera vs our property? 18Aug 28, 2010 11:05 am Quote: I disagree.. just because it's on their property doesn't give them the right to impinge on your lifestyle, if your neighbour plays the drums and you can hear it inside your home, you can legally have the drumming stopped. That is quite different - comes under noise regulation. One would still hope it could be sorted amicably rather than by abusing the neighbour. I had a similar situation - had a wind chime, neighbour politely approached me asking if I could move it or get a quieter one as it was disturbing their sleep - seemed a reasonable request and we removed it without argument. I think most mature adults agree to reasonable compromises when they are approached nicely. However Renoqueen's neighbour is not breaking any laws - sitting in one's backyard or even standing next to ones fence is not illegal. And the neighbours themselves have erected a higher fence so it seems they are trying to reduce the problem. If the owl is only a cheap decorative thing from Bunnings, I cant really see the issue PS: could the wire be connecting to lighting for under their pergola?? You know, like those party lights? Update from me! Couldn't find the trimmer - not sure if there isn't one simply because the eave is so narrow. Went ahead with the spring toggles and it all worked out… 7 5885 which 1) PoE based video intercom is best for two storey home. I am looking with two monitor, one in GF and another FF so someone in home can… 0 24959 It seems very clear to me that your contract states that a security account does NOT need to be established so the answer to the builder is NO. If in doubt find a contract… 1 8529 |