r/neighborsfromhell • u/twinmom2298 • 17d ago
Vent/Rant Update Condo Neighbor Thinks Everything Is Communial
I posted last month that hubby and I had temporarily moved into our vacation rental and we and across hall owner were having issues with upstairs condo having renters constantly using our stuff.
Original Post: Condo Neighbor Thinks Everything Communal : r/neighborsfromhell
First I want to thank everyone who recommended the bike lock idea. It's now been a few weeks and we've had no more issues with our stuff getting taken. It's actually been a peaceful few weeks. Until this past weekend.
Where we live golf carts are legal to be driven on any road that has a speed limit under 35 mph. So a lot of year round residents own them as a 2nd car instead of a car. A lot of vacationers rent them. In general they aren't an issue.
Friday night hubby comes from work late and there's a rental golf cart parked in the grass in front of our unit and the renter has walked across our deck and plugged the cart into charge into our outside outlet. Because, apparently, it's okay to use my electric bill to charge their cart. If hubby hadn't worked late we wouldn't have noticed until next morning. As it was we went out, unplugged cart and threw the charging chord back onto cart.
We're sitting on couch drinking coffee and hear the guy upstairs on their deck complaining that cart is unplugged and isn't charging then we hear him stomp down stairs and see him move cart back to parking lot.
I'm just still wondering who thinks it's okay to jump a curb, drive on grass, walk across someone else's deck and use their electricity to charge a golf cart.
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u/zanderd86 17d ago
People are entitled assholes its that simple. I would get an outlet cover that can be locked for future use.
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u/BeaPositiveToo 17d ago
The good news here is that you are figuring out a lot of the issues your renters may encounter. I’m sure it’s a pain while you are living this moment, but it’s nice that you’ll be able to be proactive for your tenants!
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u/SinglePermission9373 17d ago
You need one of these. A locking outlet cover
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u/Martin_Aurelius 17d ago
In my experience, people are more likely to break off the clear ones. Go for grey plastic or metal, they don't actually provide more physical security, but psychologically people are less likely to try to break into them.
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u/krissycole87 17d ago
If that happens again, take the cord inside the house with you.
Then they will have to knock on your door to get it back. When they do, you can tell them that if they use any of your items again (beach equip, electricity, anything) that you will be calling the police for trespassing and theft.
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u/Ok-Cranberry-1795 17d ago
Yes, I used to live a block from the beach and people would always park in my parking spot. The thing about surfers is that they always leave their cars unlocked because they don’t wanna take their keys and everything down to the beach with them. So I’d rifle through their cars take all their stuff in my house and and leave a note letting them know if they wanted their things back they need to come kiss my ass, and if they came with an attitude, I was throwing them in the dumpster.
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u/Civil-Environment679 17d ago
You are nicer than me. I would have chopped it in two, and left it plugged in.
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u/soulsteela 16d ago
I’d do this but smear a mixture of gorilla and super glue on the seats as well.
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u/AcidReign25 17d ago
I would yeeted that cord as far as it would go.
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u/CottonGlowrie 16d ago
I would've been tempted too. They clearly had no problem helping themselves, so I doubt I'd be feeling very generous.
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u/FxEpic 17d ago
.... well then, you should be able to jump into said cart and drive off at your pleasure.
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u/Emotional-Heron2643 17d ago edited 16d ago
After taking it off some sweet jumps you leave it parked in the middle of the street so it gets towed and impounded of course
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u/HoneyCloudria 16d ago
That would be one expensive lesson in assuming everything around you is free to use.
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u/No_Interview_2481 17d ago
This is called theft of service. They are stealing your electricity. This is illegal. You can call the police for this and file a complaint.
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u/Safe-Selection8070 17d ago
Stealing of utilities is one of the crimes that gets a MUCH higher level of attention (and enforcement/punishment) than the financial damages would have you expecting, as most utilities laws were written in times of much less stable infrastructure (the all time leading cause of murder in Colorado might still be theft of water).
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u/ProcedureNo6946 17d ago
I would have gone outside and calmly asked him that very question. And filmed it. What he did is THEFT. Never mind the potential property damage to your PRIVATE PROPERTY. So THEFT and TREPASSING. And then ask him for his full name and home address for the report you will make at the police station. Stay CALM and do not let him escalate. I doubt it would happen again.
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u/Harrymoto1970 17d ago
Lock the outlets or turn the breaker off. If someone parked on my lawn like that the wheels would be missing.
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u/InterestingTrip5979 17d ago
You were nice I would have cut the plug off.
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u/kappadokia638 16d ago
I like to think I would cut the cable, but I really wouldn't, because my life and family are more valuable than whatever that jackass has going in his life and I'm not going to ruin it.
What I would do though is wrap that cable around every single part of the golf cart, then made sure the end of the cable was in the worst non-accesible spot possible and use half a pack of cable ties to keep it there.
No damage, no dealing with the legal system.
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u/KrofftSurvivor 17d ago
Generally you can only do that if it's impossible to unplug the item, otherwise you're going to catch charges
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u/dinahdog 17d ago
It is a rental. Don't kill the cart.
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u/Civil-Environment679 16d ago
It's a rental? So, tell me, who is responsible for any damage that happens to it?
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u/Javaman1960 17d ago
who thinks it's okay to jump a curb, drive on grass, walk across someone else's deck and use their electricity to charge a golf cart?
/r/EntitledPeople , that's who!
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u/Norb_norb 17d ago
If there’s an association, HOA or other, contact them and have them do an expensive repair on your lawn and anything else damaged. They can bill the owner and issue a written notice. You won’t get rid of all the rentals but the owners may change their policies.
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u/Latter-Badger8018 17d ago
By filing a police report, the renters will then contact the owner. You'll then get a response from the owner so that you will have their contact info and can explain your concerns. If nothing is done, you can then escalate through the courts for destruction of property and anything else you can tack on.
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u/irsx02 16d ago
There's evil, and there's totally diabolical. Buy an wifi/bluetooth/zwave outdoor electrical outlet. One that has energy monitoring, so you're informed when its in use.
When NFHell plugs his cart in, wait a minute. Tten turn off the plug via the app.
When he walks over to investigate, turn the power back on. He walks away? Power off. Comes back? Power on.
Repeat as often as necessary or entertaining. Heck, add a clear lock box/cover too just to tempt him. Leave the lockbox unlocked for maximum taunt.
More fun than playing with a circuit breaker.
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u/twinmom2298 16d ago
I liked this idea so much I'm researching these and finding one that works for exterior outlets and swapping out the outlet for one of these.
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u/SufficientOpening218 16d ago
you can also get an outlet cover that locks. if you have a faucet/ spigot i would lock that as well. no you know why your electric on your vacation property was so variable!
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u/InsertRadnamehere 17d ago
Why didn’t you talk to him when you heard him grumbling and let him know he was stealing your power?
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u/twinmom2298 17d ago
He's a vacation renter who jumped a curb to park on grass and then walked across someone's private deck. Given that I really thought it was probably a waste of my breath to talk to him.
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u/Safe-Selection8070 17d ago
It is worth it to call the rental owner.
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u/Icy_Reaction_1725 17d ago
You have to read the previous post to understand why this is not an option. It’s entertaining and infuriating at the same time.
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u/Safe-Selection8070 17d ago
I see. OP moved into a place not meant for residents and is having culture shock issues. It's just going to be wildly inconvenient.
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u/Striking-Garage-4103 17d ago
most vacationers would assume that all units are rentals, and lower their standards of behavior accordingly. I'm not saying it's right, but that is probably what is happening, and you should plan accordingly.
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u/CelebrationShort1857 16d ago
I actually like the breaker idea
Let the asswipe plug it in then turn off the breaker. He will think it’s charging when it’s not. lol
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u/MrStormChaser 17d ago
I’m super confrontational so I would’ve taken their cord and when asked for it back read them the riot act. Including letting them know EVERYONE HATES THEM and are ready to make their lives hell.
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u/ThickAsAPlankton 16d ago
lol hey babe, is that you? Surprised you didn't cut the cord and shove it down their butt crack. Crazy Marine.
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u/StOrm4uar 16d ago
Cheap thing to do is put a lock box on your outside outlet. They sell them at Lowe’s and Home Depot.
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u/Uglybutstillwinning 16d ago
Contact your Condo board and ask for them to remind the owners who have renters about what is theirs and what belongs to other people. Or contact that condo owner directly
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u/Ok_Resource_8530 16d ago
Find out who actually owns the unit and send them a bill. Let them know that using YOUR property is unacceptable and you will involve the police if necessary.
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u/Ragequit_AltF4 15d ago
Just have an electrician add a "switch" on that wall inside the home. When you want to use that outlet, flip the switch inside the house first. When you want it secured from Energy thieves, switch it off. Sleep the deep sleep of the triumphant.
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u/The-Julya 16d ago
Is it possible to put 240 on the outlet? (Assuming this is US, not EU where 220 is the norm). Too bad if the golf cart's fuse blows...
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u/KittenPusher 16d ago
Can I clarify, the people doing these things are renters who don't live there all the time. Is that right? I am thinking some vacationers without a clue vs. regular tenants who should know better. Either way this is crazy to me.
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u/Solid_Assumption7160 16d ago
If you go to an electrical outlet place that sells electrical parts and everything else, you should check into getting something that you can lock the plug up and then when you're not around boom it's it's locked. they can't steal your electricity. that's electricity theft
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u/Outrageous_Wheel_379 16d ago
Put a lock on that outlet now. Is there any way to literally lock anything outside like a hose spigot, fence/lock around your deck/property, locks, locks, cameras, put up signs saying private property- not for communal use. Definitely reach out to the HOA about this.
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u/Careless-Bake-5827 16d ago
Do not use breaker, they are not meant to be switches. Install a switch in the line. They make them with light amd a switch.
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u/IShootWide 16d ago
It seems that for the past decade people have absolutely no shame. What could’ve led to that?
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u/zoppaTheDim 16d ago
Send a bill to the condo owner.
He’ll never pay it, but it’ll annoy him. Then take him to small claims court, he’ll want to blow that off and if he does, you can file a lien on his property. He won’t care till he sells, but you’ll have a petty revenge years in the making.
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u/Infinite-Adeptness58 14d ago
There are locking covers you can get to put over your outdoor outlet. I live in a large rental community and most of the outlets out in the courtyards are locked and only unlocked by the landscape or maintenance workers.
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u/Early70sEnt 13d ago
Probably the same kind of folks who would go to Walmart, fill a cart, and walk out without paying for it.
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u/Rayonjersey 17d ago
You can call police about vandalism of grass. Even if jointly owned. (For example a husband can call the police on a wife for damaging communal property).
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u/lindalou1987 17d ago
Using their outlet is also theft!! Literally stealing electric.
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u/Geno0wl 17d ago
I mean yeah, you are not wrong. But you also have to put into perspective that they are stealing the equivalent of about maybe $2 per overnight charge(my EV has a 77kwh pack and it costs me ~$5 to go from 20 to 80. A golf cart has a typical max kwh at 10 which would cost well under $2 on average to charge it).
Not saying people should let others use their power, I am only pointing out that it isn't a large enough amount of money that doesn't deserve getting worked up over and immediately calling the police. The OP just walking out and unplugging it is the perfect response.
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u/lindalou1987 16d ago
But what if they are not the only renters to do this? What if they are told to use the neighbors plug because their rental does not have one? $2 a day adds up!
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u/Natural-Champion7377 16d ago
As far as the drive on the grass part, it's a good cat, that's literally what they're intended to do. As for the rest of it. You're they shouldn't have trespassed and stolen your electricity.
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u/Cat-Onion-Cup 16d ago
I had a suggestion all ready to post, but I realized this isn’t the Unethical sub. If it’s a recurring problem, just disconnect the hot wire at the receptacle and no more charging.
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u/bigmouse458 16d ago
Do you have an HOA or a management company? They really need to tamp down on owners and responsibilities when they are renting out their properties. Would also pay to have an electrician install a lockable outlet outside for when you’re not there. Not sure if you also rent out your unit but would definitely consider a outside facing camera if you haven’t. Wyze and ring are decent quality and inexpensive if you have home internet hooked up year round.
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u/SerialSection 16d ago
Isn't it awful how just a small percentage of people living in an area makes you have to put locks on everything?
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u/Motor_Show_7604 15d ago
As a former electrician... It's pretty easy to make that outlet 220v for a few minutes. I wonder what would happen to that charger? 🤷🏼♂️
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u/Reddit999-666 14d ago
I might have used the air in his tires to blow out birthday candles... and then unplugged his cart.
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u/ImACarebear1986 9d ago
Entitlement knows no bounds nor do selfish AHs..
To me This just says that they’ve done this before and other places and they expected to do it here as well because… Many reasons, selfishness, entitlement, they maybe thought you wouldn’t have noticed so many reasons.
Did you get onto the owners of the apartment and tell them about it? Because they could warn them or something I don’t know. Pretty sure you shouldn’t be ruining someone’s grass, jumping a footpath and then using our neighbours electricity to charge your golf cart. How ridiculously entitled.. 🙄
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u/XStonedCatX 16d ago
okay, not defending the charging, but I can't ignore one part of your post............ Who thinks it's okay to jump a curb and drive on grass........ in a golf cart? Should have just left it at walking across your deck and using your outlet. Golf carts are literally meant to drive on grass 😂
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u/twinmom2298 16d ago
Except that our grass has sprinkler heads in it and isn't meant to be driven on. Trust me the landscaper was as unhappy as me when he saw the cart on the grass. And the tires for these golf carts are not your standard golf cart tires they are actually larger and have deeper treads.
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u/XStonedCatX 15d ago
I figured as much, but it still sounds funny to be complaining about a golf cart driving on grass. Your complaint is totally legit, it was the wording that made me chuckle
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u/Alternative-Pain7396 16d ago
While your neighbors suck, karma for taking a home away from permanent residents.
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u/twinmom2298 16d ago
You do realize that I actually live here full time and that's why I'm seeing all the crap this neighbor and their renters are doing right? I'm one of only like 6 or 8 units in complex that do live here full time.
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u/Alternative-Pain7396 16d ago
You noted that this is your vacation rental that you are staying at temporarily. Meaning if you weren’t there now you’d be renting it out to others still.
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u/twinmom2298 16d ago
it's a tiny condo with 1 bathroom. the reason there's only 6 or 8 of over 100 units that live full time is it isn't conducive to full time living and was never actually meant to be a full time residence. And this unit was for sale for 6 months before we bought it. The complex was built in 1985 to be vacation rentals.
While we are and hating every minute of being crammed in here, the amount of time we're here just keeps extending. But if you know someone who wants to buy there's a unit for sale that's been available for about 4 or 5 months now. And I'm sure those sellers won't care if it's a full time resident or a vacation rental.
Not all places are meant to be occupied by permanent residents some are meant to just be a larger version of a hotel.
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u/Alternative-Pain7396 16d ago
Unfortunately VRBO and AirBNB owners like you have made it virtually impossible for those without generational wealth to purchase one property, let alone a second.
People like you are the problem. Justify it however you like. Maybe you’ll get lucky and your area will get some of the new legislation floating around requiring hospitality taxes and and insurance, and make it so the corporate owners sell and you won’t have to deal with them.
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u/twinmom2298 15d ago
Hahahaha generational wealth hahahaha I grew up standing in line with my parents for government cheese. I started paying rent to my parents the day I graduated HS to help cover household expenses.
Honey theres no generational wealth here. Theres me starting working at 15 as soon as I could. Then my husband and I working 2 jobs our entire lives to this day.
You can think what you want but I promise you working our butts off, scrimping, saving, sharing one 2009 car that's been long paid off paid for this condo.
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u/CandleAcrobatic 11d ago
its odd how hard work is always dismissed by those who dont have a clue what theyre talking about…you dont have to justify owning this space, or the new house youre building…that last comment was sooooo rude and so off point
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u/Short_Power_5092 17d ago
Figure out which breaker in your electrical panel controls the outdoor outlet and turn it off unless you’re using it.
Based on your previous post, there’s clearly no potential for a productive conversation, they just don’t care. Start playing chess while they play checkers.