Pilkington Glass
DOOR TO DOOR
One in two homeowners reckon their neighbours are nosy, it emerged yesterday (sun).
Research revealed millions of Brits live next to neighbours who listen in on conversations and steel and peek through windows if the opportunity arises.
One in three said their nosy neighbour often pops in uninvited for a chat - just to catch a glimpse inside the house.
Another one in three have even caught a busybody looking in to their home through windows or open doors.
A spokesperson for Pilkington, the company which carried out the poll, said: ''No-one likes being spied on but it seems that this is happening to many of us in our own homes.
''While it can be nice to have the odd chat with your neighbour, there comes a time when you don't want them to get involved in your business.
''When you open your door or window to get some air, or sit in the sun in your garden, the last thing you expect is to have your neighbours looking in on you.
''But at least there are things you can do to try and get some privacy, such as putting a higher fence or bush around your garden, or making sure your windows are covered by patterned glass or a blind.''
For almost one in ten Brits, things have got so bad they have ended up rowing with their neighbour.
Seven per cent have packed up and moved house due to nosy neighbours.
More than half have installed frosted or patterned glass in their windows or put up net curtains or blinds to keep out prying eyes.
The study of 3,000 Brits also revealed 56 per cent of people reckon their neighbours often gossip about others in their street.
More than a third have spotted neighbours peering over their garden fence when they have been sat outside, while another quarter have caught them listening in on conversations.
Around 26 per cent have listened to someone else's conversation and more than a quarter have had a good gossip about others living in their street.
And 14 per cent of people have seen their neighbour's naked silhouette through their bathroom window.
The study also revealed 63 per cent of people wish their home or garden was more private, with 90 per cent saying they would be put off buying a home if it was overlooked by another house.
A spokesperson for Pilkington Glass added: ''There are many measures that can be taken to keep prying eyes at bay, but the only permanent fixture is to install windows with glass that provide obscurity.''
