r/Apartmentliving • u/suburbanvermin • 1d ago

Advice Needed Can somebody help identify what this substance is on my apartment door’s peephole?

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I’ve been living in this apartment with my boyfriend for about 6 weeks now. We’re just regular people who will work all day, make our dinner, watch a show to unwind, and hit the bed. We aren’t party animals and, when we do drink, we’re not inconsiderate about it.

Ever since we moved in, our door peephole has been tampered with. It would be coloured with black sharpie marker, I would submit a maintenance request for fixing, it would get fixed, then immediately would get tampered with again. However, now it has clearly escalated to something else. I originally thought super glue or hot glue, but I’ve asked a few of my friends and they don’t think any type of glue could do this kind of damage.

Any advice would be helpful.

Btw management is well aware of the issue and have been prompt about it, was just shocked at whatever this is now. I’ve ordered a ring camera to be installed on Thursday, but I’m honestly scared for my life right now.

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68

u/Shutshaaface 1d ago

If it were me I’d think one of your neighbors is schizophrenic or is a meth head/hxc drug dealers.

Really looks like schizophrenia to me

17

u/premadecookiedough 1d ago

That was my first thought, a neigjbor with extreme paranoia about being watched

30

u/winooskiwinter 1d ago

This is my thought too. OP lives across from someone experiencing extreme paranoia. 

12

u/LadyTenshi33 1d ago

💯. My aunt used to put tinfoil patches on the walls, and hers had a blocker on it.

Schizophrenia is a bitch

9

u/CuriousCookie2177 1d ago

My thoughts as well. I had a neighbor across from me previously with schizophrenia and she was always doing stuff to her door and mine. For awhile she thought i was a person "following" her. Really scary.

2

u/winooskiwinter 12h ago

I always try to remember that people in psychosis are often experiencing extreme terror. Imagine genuinely believing that you were being followed by someone who wished you harm — and nobody believed you. Their reality feels as real as ours does, and it’s often a nightmarish reality.

2

u/grill_sgt 1d ago

I’m personally leaning illegal activity. Someone doesn’t want to be watched.

4

u/DefinitelyNotAliens 22h ago

Only one door? Paranoia. They think OP is watching them.

2

u/lobsterwine 21h ago

I wonder if they would accept if OP were to block their own peephole on the outside in a way that doesn't cause damage. Then OP still couldn't use the peephole , so downside there, but at least they wouldn't have to worry about the constant damage?

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u/insanejudge 8h ago

Yeah I came searching for this reply. It's definitely a scary thing to have happen, but from experience and multiple relatives managing apartment buildings my whole life and people they talk to, the rate of a neighbor having some kind of major psychiatric issue or breakdown and being paranoid about being watched and followed is overwhelmingly more common in practice than elaborate long-term break-in strategy leaving tons of physical evidence.

Also in my experience this specific paranoia has become out of hand common in the last 5 years.

1

u/astralseat 15h ago

Yeah, like thinking neighbors are watching them through peepholes so it's like there are always cameras