Living next to a nightmare neighbor is a special kind of torture. You know the type. They stomp around like they're wearing concrete boots, blast bass-heavy music at 3 AM, or let their dog bark at invisible ghosts for hours on end. You have tried asking nicely. You have tried banging on the wall. You might have even called the cops, only for the noise to start up again the second the patrol car drives away.
Peace is overrated when war is this much fun. If they want to keep you awake, it is only fair that you return the favor.
Revenge is a dish best served funny. Getting mad raises your blood pressure, but getting even raises your spirits. We have compiled a list of hilarious pranks to help you regain your sanity and perhaps teach those inconsiderate jerks a lesson they won't forget. These range from harmless annoyances to "I hope you like moving vans" levels of petty.
1. The Phantom WiFi Wars
This is the modern equivalent of leaving a flaming bag of dog poop on the porch, but you don't even have to leave your couch. Most people have their devices set to automatically scan for WiFi networks. Use this to your advantage.
Go into your router settings and create a guest network or change your SSID (Service Set Identifier). You want something that sends a direct, passive-aggressive message every time they try to connect their phone.
Here are a few winners to get you started:
- "Unit 4B Sounds Like a Zoo"
- "We Can Hear You Having Sex"
- "FBI Surveillance Van #3"
- "Stop Stomping or We Buy Drums"
If you want to get technical, you can change the name daily to provide a running commentary on their life. Did they argue last night? Change it to "Divorce Lawyers Are Cheap." It is psychological warfare, and it drives nosy neighbors crazy because they know you are listening, but they can't prove who is doing it.
2. The "Free Goat" Craigslist Ad
This classic never dies because it works so well. The goal here is to flood their phone with confused strangers, forcing them to change their number or turn it off.
Create a Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace ad. You are giving away something desirable but slightly weird, so it attracts a specific crowd. A "free goat" is perfect because people assume you just want it gone immediately. You can also list "free concert tickets" or "leftover construction materials."
The key is the description. "Must pick up before 6 AM, I work early. Don't call, just come by and knock loudly."
Include their address. If you have their phone number, put that in too. Watch as a parade of bargain hunters descends upon their doorstep at the crack of dawn. If you really want to spice it up, say you are giving away a drum set. The irony will be delicious.
3. The Mysterious Smell
Olfactory assault is one of the most effective ways to make a neighbor miserable without causing permanent damage. You aren't breaking anything, you are just reorganizing the scent profile of their hallway.
There is a product called Liquid Ass. It smells exactly like it sounds, only worse. It is a concentrated spray that smells like a dead animal wrapped in a dirty diaper.
If you live in an apartment building, a quick spritz on their doormat or along the bottom seal of their door works wonders. The smell lingers for hours. They will tear their apartment apart looking for the source of the stench. They will blame their dog. They will blame their plumbing. They will never suspect the innocent neighbor who just walked by.
For a lower-budget version, rub some limburger cheese on their doorknob. It’s sticky, it smells like sweaty feet, and it’s a tactile surprise they won't appreciate.
4. The Bluetooth Hijack
If your neighbors are the type to blast music on cheap Bluetooth speakers, they probably didn't bother with security settings.
Scan for open Bluetooth devices when their music is blaring. If you can connect, you have control. Do not just turn it off; that is too obvious. Instead, wait for the chorus of their favorite song and switch the track to something jarring.
Polka music is a solid choice. Sound effects of screaming goats work well. Or, play a recording of a very loud, very angry knocking sound. They will pause the music to answer the door, find no one there, and go back to their party confused. Repeat this every twenty minutes until they give up on technology entirely.
5. The Alarm Clock Revenge
This requires shared walls and a bit of sacrifice on your part, but the payoff is worth it. If they keep you up until 4 AM, you make sure they are up at 7 AM.
Position your speakers directly against the shared wall. Find a ten-hour loop of a jarring sound on YouTube. A high-pitched dog whistle tone, a baby crying, or just a classic alarm clock beep.
Set it to start playing right when they finally go to sleep. You can leave for work or go for a long breakfast while your wall of sound does the heavy lifting. They will be hungover, tired, and desperate for sleep, and you will be miles away, innocent as a lamb.
If you need inspiration on how to handle difficult people, check out our neighbors category for stories from people who have dealt with far worse.
6. The Fake Official Notice
Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a noisy tenant like an official-looking letter. You don't need to be a graphic designer to pull this off. You just need a computer and some stiff paper.
Draft a letter from a fictional "Neighborhood Association," "City Zoning Committee," or "Pest Control Authority."
Inform them that their residence has been flagged for a ridiculous violation.
- "Excessive ugly curtain usage."
- "Unauthorized breeding of dust bunnies."
- "Noise levels exceeding the 'Don't Be a Jerk' statute of 1998."
Make it look dry and bureaucratic. Use big words and cite fake codes. Tell them a mandatory inspection is scheduled for Saturday at 8 AM. They will spend the whole week panic-cleaning and stressing out. When no one shows up, they will be confused, but at least they were quiet for a few days.
7. The Glitter Bomb
Glitter is the herpes of craft supplies. Once you get it on you, it never goes away. This prank is for when you are truly fed up and don't mind being a little mean.
You can buy spring-loaded glitter bombs online that look like innocent greeting cards or tubes. When they open the package, poof. Glitter everywhere. In the carpet, in their hair, in their food. They will be finding specks of gold plastic for the next five years.
If you want to keep it local, slide a piece of paper filled with glitter under their door. Use a hairdryer or a can of compressed air to blow it underneath. It’s petty, it’s messy, and it’s incredibly satisfying to see them walking around with sparkles on their face for a week.
Sometimes neighbors can be vandals and thieves, so responding with a little sparkle feels like justice served.
8. The Vaseline Doorknob
This is old school, simple, and effective. It works best if your neighbor has a round doorknob rather than a lever handle.
Wait until they are inside (or outside, depending on what you want to achieve) and smear a thick layer of petroleum jelly all over their doorknob.
When they try to turn it, their hand will just slip and slide. They will struggle. They will curse. They will have to go find a rag to wipe it off, by which time they are annoyed and covered in grease. It is a harmless inconvenience that sends a clear message: "I can touch your stuff, and I choose to make it gross."
9. Sign Them Up for Everything
Junk mail is the gift that keeps on giving. If you have their physical address, you have a weapon.
Sign them up for every free catalog, brochure, and newsletter you can find. We are talking about obscure religious organizations, adult diaper samples, funeral home brochures, and bizarre hobby magazines.
The sheer volume of paper waste will clutter their mailbox and their life. It is annoying to sort through, and it is embarrassing if the mail carrier starts judging them for their subscription to "Taxidermy Monthly."
10. The "Lost Pet" Poster
This one borders on psychological warfare. Find a picture of a terrifying animal. A giant tarantula, a hissings possum, or a very angry-looking rooster.
Create a "LOST PET" flyer.
"Lost: Mr. Cuddles. Very aggressive. Likes to bite ankles. If found, please return to [Neighbor's Address]. Do not approach without protective gear."
Post these all over the neighborhood.
Your neighbor will become the "weird guy with the dangerous spider." People will cross the street to avoid their house. It isolates them and makes them the subject of neighborhood gossip. Plus, it is just funny to imagine them explaining to a concerned parent that they do not, in fact, own a rabid badger.
A Note on Escalation
While these pranks are hilarious, you need to be smart. Don't do anything that causes permanent property damage or puts anyone in actual danger. The goal is to annoy them into submission, not to get yourself arrested.
If things get serious and you need actual tools for surveillance or protection, you might want to check out The Revenge Guy's Store for gear that can help you document their bad behavior.
Sometimes, just knowing you have the upper hand is enough. You hear their loud music, but you smile because you know they are currently scrubbing glitter out of their carpet or trying to explain to a stranger why they don't have a free goat to give away.
Revenge is sweet, but silence is sweeter. Hopefully, after a few of these, you will finally get some peace and quiet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it illegal to prank my neighbors?
Most of the pranks listed here, like changing WiFi names or signing someone up for junk mail, are legal annoyances. However, you must avoid damaging property (vandalism) or harassment that could be considered a threat. Always know where the line is between a prank and a crime in your local jurisdiction.
Q: What if my neighbor knows it was me?
Deny everything. Unless they have video proof, it is just their word against yours. If you are worried about retaliation, stick to anonymous pranks like the junk mail subscriptions or the Craigslist ad, which are much harder to trace back to a specific person.
Q: Can I get evicted for pranking a neighbor?
If you live in an apartment or HOA, check your lease or bylaws. While "being annoying" isn't usually grounds for immediate eviction, repeated complaints or creating a disturbance (like the alarm clock trick) could get you a warning. Be subtle and don't get caught.
Q: How do I stop my neighbor from pranking me back?
The best defense is a good offense, but security helps too. Get a video doorbell to monitor your porch. Secure your WiFi with a strong password. If they escalate to vandalism, stop the pranks and document everything for the landlord or police.
Q: What is the best prank for a neighbor who stomps?
The "ceiling thumper" is a classic device you can build or buy that taps against your ceiling (their floor) at random intervals. Alternatively, the "Alarm Clock Revenge" works well here. If they keep you up stomping, you wake them up early with noise.
The Revenge Guy is your ultimate resource for getting even. We understand that sometimes, taking the high road just leads to a dead end. Whether you are dealing with a nightmare neighbor, a cheating ex, or a toxic boss, we provide the stories, the advice, and the tools you need to reclaim your power. We don't just talk about revenge; we help you execute it with style and humor.
