A Reddit thread on r/NeighborsFromHell sparked suspicion and concern, with a California renter describing a shocking situation just steps from their back door.
The Anaheim resident said their longtime neighbor had begun defecating in buckets and dumping waste along the shared fence line, creating a strong odor and posing serious health risks.
The initial post quickly became popular as readers reacted to their plight. After 15 years in the same four-unit building, the poster wrote, the family next door — particularly the older patriarch who lived in a makeshift “man cave” in the backyard — allowed the situation to escalate, with human waste reportedly seeping into the soil on both sides of the fence. The poster was unsure what to do and asked if installing cameras would help authorities document the act.
OP later updated that Adult Protective Services had been contacted for a welfare check, calling the decision the “kindest way” to intervene without endangering other members of the family. The vast majority of commenters called the situation unsafe, with one writing: “This is 100% bad for health.”
Beyond the shock factor, this story highlights a growing challenge: Difficult neighbors can directly harm residents’ ability to maintain healthy, sustainable homes.
Many climate-friendly upgrades—from installing safer outdoor spaces to establishing composting systems or water-efficient gardens—rely on living with people who respect the environment they share. As readers have pointed out, when this breaks down, problems such as soil contamination, pest attraction and disease risks can spread rapidly.
Some commenters encouraged the OP to document the situation and contact local agencies. Solutions like community health departments, code enforcement offices, and adult services programs exist to address situations like this and protect vulnerable populations and the neighbors they impact.
Reactions in the post ranged from concern to disbelief.
“No one wants disease-infected poop in their community,” one commenter said. Another wrote, “The health department will probably have the quickest response and the ability to stop this.” A third simply added: “Report it today!”
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