Exterminator needs access through homeowner’s yard to treat neighbor’s house, repeatedly no-shows until she revokes permission to enter her property: 'I had to take off work both times'

Author image for Isabella Penn
Isabella Penn
Oct 16, 2025 7:00 PM EDT

There's a difference between being a good neighbor and being a doormat, and this homeowner learned that the hard way.

When her next-door neighbor's house needed fumigation for termites, she agreed to let the pest control company access her yard. She even moved her shed and other equipment to make room, which resulted in losing a day of work to accommodate them. Then came the first no-show. No call, no text, no apology. Days later, they rescheduled for 8 a.m. on a new date ...only to stand her up again.

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  • That’s when she decided enough was enough. She revoked their blanket permission to enter her property, demanded a 72-hour notice for any future visits, and even offered to reinstate access if they apologized and compensated her for lost income. Instead, the company tried to pressure her through her neighbor, claiming she was holding up the work. 

    When they showed up again and told her to “chill out,” she permanently barred them from entering. If they want access, they can go through the courts.

    Frankly, she’s right. Being considerate shouldn’t come at the cost of your time or livelihood. 

  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - LY 7.50 LT 630LT 30LT SOOLT 450LT ADULT
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.


     

  • "AIO - Neighbor needs their house tented for termites, workers need access to my yard... I rescinded permission to enter my property and now they are freaking out."

    DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - So, I live on a zero lot line property, and one side of my neighbor's house is essentially the barrier of one side of my backyard.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - They have a big termite problem and need to tent the house. I was visited by the company she hired to do this, who needed me to give them written permission to enter my property and set everything up.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - I was also informed that I would have to move a shed and some other things in the yard.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - I gave them permission. They gave me a date they'd start the job on, told me I had to be there to let them in.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - I then moved the shed and everything for them as requested. Date comes, I'm here, taking time out of my business, they no show.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - They never contacted me, so I lost the work day for nothing. 4 days later, they tell me that they'll be doing the work today instead, starting at 8 am.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - I take time off my business, again, to be here. They no show, again, no contact, again.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - So I called, and oops they need to reschedule again, don't know when, and that I should be prepared for it to be any day next week, or the week after.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - So I wrote them an email where I did the following. 1. revoked their blanket permission to enter my property.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - I told them they would now have to ask me for permission on a day by day basis with at least 72 hours notice.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - 2. I asked for an apology for wasting my time. 3. I offered to maintain the blanket permission for access, if they agreed to partially compensate me for the work I lost because of them, and for any future work I lose should they no show again.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - +
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - I have received no apology or response. Since then they've told my neighbor that I'm stopping their work and tried to get them to talk to me, but I'm holding firm as this is bullshit and I shouldn't be losing money and getting dicked around because this company they hired is unprofessional.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - Am I overreacting? I know I'm really pissed in the moment but I'm trying to be fair about this and I can't have them waste my time like this again.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - edit: Termite company sent a guy who came over with my neighbor. When I laid out my issues they told me I was being silly and needed to chill out, so permission permanently revoked for this company.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - Take me to court to get access, or get a different company. I'm not going to be treated like this.
    via DoubleJumps
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - LdiJ46 You are not over-reacting at all. They have no right to waste your time like that. Stand your ground.
    via LdiJ46
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - Snurgisdr You're under-reacting by not already billing them in full for the time you lost.
    via Snurgisdr
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - NeitherStory7803 If they have termites it would be in your best interest to get your house inspected for them
    via NeitherStory7803
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - Rowan-The-Writer NOR. Your property, your rules. They no-showed twice, made you lose money because you took off work twice, and then they had the gall to call you 'silly' and tell you to 'chill out'. Beyond unprofessional behaviour.
    via Rowan-The-Writer
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - Bluwthu I'd tell them to pay you x amount of dollars to do the work. They should have moved the shed for you imo. You lost 2 days of work over this? Small claims court might work out in your favor.. but I'm NAL so do with that what you want.
    via Bluwthu
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - Abject_Director7626 NO. Do you have cameras in case they try to trespass anyways? Make sure the owner knows you WILL sue, and write a review.
    via Abject_Director7626
  • DoubleJumps https://www.reddit.com/r/AIO/comments/1o374c5/aio_neighbor_needs_their_house_tented_for/ - FreeReflection5259 I actually can't believe you missed work TWICE for this, you're been more than accommodating
    via FreeReflection5259

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neighbors termites pest control job Exterminate work homeowner neighborhood-drama blue collar entitled people
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