My Upstairs Neighbor Follows Me From Room to Room (9 tips)

Finding out you’re being stalked by your upstairs neighbor can be a terrifying situation.

According to statistics from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), an estimated 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced stalking victimization at some point during their lifetime in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed.

This article will provide 9 tips to help you handle and resolve the issue if your upstairs neighbor is following you from room to room.

1. Ensure your own safety

Discovering your upstairs neighbor follows you from room to room can be downright creepy. You start questioning if you’re living in a real-life horror movie.

Before you completely freak out, though, take a deep breath. Your safety should be your number one priority. Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you ever feel threatened or sense danger. I’d rather you be safe than sorry.

Here are some tips to beef up security:

• Lock all doors and windows. I know it’s annoying, but, better to be annoyed than in harm’s way.
• Install security cameras, alarms, or motion sensor lights. Technology can help give you peace of mind.
• Tell a close friend or family member about the situation. It helps to have people looking out for you.
• Avoid being alone at night. There’s safety in numbers.
• Keep your phone on you at all times. You never know when you may need to call for backup.

The idea is to make yourself less vulnerable. Don’t make it easy for anyone wishing you harm.

With a few precautions, you can stay safe while dealing with this stressful situation.

2. Talk to your neighbor

Now that you’ve got safety precautions in place, it’s time to go right to the source – your upstairs neighbor.

I know the thought of confronting them makes your palms sweat. You don’t want to anger them or make the situation worse. But chatting in a calm, polite way may nip the problem in the bud.

Here are some tips for the conversation:

• Be respectful and casual. Don’t come on too strong. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
• Voice your concerns. Tell them you’ve noticed their footsteps seem to follow you, and it’s causing discomfort.
• Give them the benefit of the doubt. There may be an innocent explanation, like creaky floorboards.
• Try to find a compromise. Maybe they can adjust their living patterns, or you can soundproof your ceiling.

The goal is to open up a dialogue to voice your feelings and find a solution that works for both of you. With a little understanding on both sides, you may be able to co-exist peacefully again.

And if talking leads nowhere, at least you know you tried your best to fix the issue politely before taking further action.

3. Document the behavior

If chatting doesn’t solve the footsteps following you, it’s time to start gathering evidence. I know it feels creepy to document your neighbor’s behavior.

However, having proof of continual harassment is crucial if you want authorities to take action later.

Here are some tips on keeping a stalking diary:

• Record the date, time, and location every time an incident occurs. Be as specific as possible.
• Note your neighbor’s actions objectively. Stick to factual descriptions without assumptions.
• Capture audio/video if possible. Check your state’s recording consent laws first.
• Take pictures of any unusual gifts or notes left by your neighbor.
• Save texts or voicemails from your neighbor as evidence.

Ideally, your log will establish a pattern of concerning behavior over time. This will come in handy if you need to request a restraining order later.

I know documenting each incident sounds exhausting. But think of it as building your court case one detail at a time. A solid paper trail can help convince police or lawyers to take action.

4. Vary your routine

Here’s a simple way to gain back some control of the situation – mix up your daily routine.

When someone knows your patterns, you become predictable. But if you change it up, they have a much harder time following your every move.

Here are some ways to shake up your schedule:

• Change your timing. Vary when you wake up, eat meals, run errands, etc. Don’t be an open book.
• Swap locations. Work in different rooms or areas of the house each day. Keep them guessing.
• Adjust routes. Take new paths when walking the dog or driving to the store. Don’t be too routine.
• Avoid predictability. Resist the urge to post your plans on social media. Don’t broadcast your agenda.
• Keep your phone nearby. Have it charged and with you always in case you need to call for help.
• Enlist trusted friends. Have them periodically stay with you so you’re not home alone.

The goal is to become a moving target. By keeping your neighbor off balance, you limit opportunities for them to track and follow you closely.

And over time, the unpredictability might discourage them from continuing the harassment. Just be sure to stay safe with your impromptu adventures.

5. Talk to your landlord or property manager

If your upstairs neighbor persists in stalking you despite conversations and documentation, it’s time to pull in the big guns – your landlord or property manager.

Here are some tips for getting their help:

• Explain the situation calmly and provide evidence of continual harassment.
• Ask if they can intervene with a formal warning or mediation session.
• Request a unit change if needed to put distance between you and the neighbor.
• Review options to break your lease if neither of you can move out.
• Ask about installing security measures like cameras if they share costs.

The landlord or property manager has a vested interest in keeping their tenants safe and happy. So they may be able to apply pressure to stop your neighbor’s behavior.

If they seem reluctant to get involved, you can remind them that stalking and harassment violate most rental agreements. They have an obligation to resolve the issue.

With their help, you may finally be able to stop tiptoeing around your apartment, worried about footsteps overhead.

6. Keep your phone handy

In addition to varying your routine, keep your cell phone fully charged and on you at all times. This serves a few important purposes:

• Quick access to call for help. If you ever feel threatened or in danger, you can immediately dial 911. Don’t delay getting emergency responders on the scene.
• Document incidents. Use your phone camera and voice recorder to capture evidence if an incident occurs. But do so safely and discreetly.
• Deter stalking. Seeing you actively on your phone may discourage the neighbor from approaching you directly.
• Contact trusted friends/family. Keeping in touch with your support network makes you less isolated and vulnerable.
• Distraction tool. If you feel anxious about possible stalking, distract yourself with games or uplifting calls/texts.

Having your lifeline just a tap away can provide comfort and security. It puts emergency services and loved ones at your fingertips 24/7.

So be sure to keep your phone charged, secure, and easily accessible. It can be an empowering tool to help navigate this stressful situation.

7. Consider legal action

If your stalker neighbor persists despite your best efforts, it may be time to pursue formal legal action for harassment. I know the idea of lawyers and courtrooms is daunting. But you deserve to feel safe where you live.

Here are some legal steps to consider:

• Consult a lawyer. Schedule a consultation to discuss your options and legal rights. Many offer free initial meetings.
• Send a cease and desist letter. A lawyer can draft this formal notice demanding the harassment stop immediately.
• Press stalking charges. In some cases, stalking and harassment can lead to criminal charges being filed.
• Sue for civil damages. You may be able to recover monetary damages by filing a civil lawsuit for emotional distress.

Having an attorney send formal notices often motivates perpetrators to back off rather than risk harsher legal punishments. And seeking justice through the courts can help you regain a sense of control.

8. Consider a restraining order

If your neighbor’s harassment escalates despite warnings, a restraining order may be necessary to prevent further contact.

Getting a restraining order can be complex, so it’s best to have a lawyer guide you through the process. Here’s an overview of what’s typically involved:

• Document the stalking. The court will require detailed records showing a pattern of harassment over time.
• File a request. You’ll submit legal forms detailing the behavior and requesting the restraining order.
• Attend a court hearing. A judge will schedule a hearing to evaluate your petition and evidence.
• Receive the order. If approved, the court will issue the order mandating your neighbor keep distance.
• Enforce if violated. If your neighbor disobeys the order, call the police immediately to enforce it. Violating a restraining order is a crime.

While not ideal, a restraining order demonstrates you are serious about halting the stalking. It adds legal muscle to get your upstairs neighbor to cease harassing you once and for all.

9. Relocate if necessary

If all other efforts fail to stop your neighbor from stalking you, relocating may be your best recourse. As much as you love your home, your safety and peace of mind should take priority.

I know uprooting your life feels extremely unfair when you’re the victim. But getting a fresh start in a new environment may be the only way to fully escape the harassment.

Here are some tips for making a smooth transition:

• Break your lease legally, typically for an unsafe living condition that the landlord failed to fix.
• Line up new housing discreetly without broadcasting your move.
• Enlist help packing & moving so you’re not there alone.
• Update contacts with your new address individually rather than a mass announcement.
• Increase home security immediately at the new place, including video doorbells and cameras.
• Change up routines once settled in your new home to avoid easy tracking.

Starting over in a new place can be unnerving. But you deserve to walk through your own home without fear. With caution and patience, you can regain your sense of safety and freedom.

Conclusion

Dealing with a stalker neighbor following your every move is downright disturbing. Don’t let their harassment make you feel powerless or trapped.

With the right blend of safety precautions, documentation, legal aid, and persistence, you can stop the behavior in its tracks. Sure, staying vigilant is exhausting. But taking control of the situation helps regain your peace of mind.

If one approach doesn’t work, try another. Every “no” gets you closer to the resolution you seek. And if it comes to it, don’t hesitate to pursue a fresh start somewhere new. You deserve to feel relaxed and comfortable in your own home.

The tips in this article can provide a blueprint. But your instincts and needs should drive the plan. Listen to your gut, enlist support, and don’t give up. With time and effort, you can be free of the lingering unease caused by an unwelcome follower.

Here’s to reclaiming your sense of security. You’ve got this!

Let me know if you would like me to modify or expand any part of this complete blog post.