I never thought I’d play detective in my own backyard. But when our hot tub started showing signs of use—despite Tom and I being too busy to touch it—I got suspicious. Then our neighbor Lisa mentioned hearing parties at our place on weekends we were away.
We set a trap. A hidden camera revealed the unthinkable: Jim and his family next door had been treating our hot tub like their personal resort. They’d sneak in, blast music, and leave towels strewn about—all without asking.
Enough was enough. We dyed the water (harmlessly, but visibly) and locked the gate remotely. Watching them freak out as their skin turned green was satisfying, but the real shock came later.
Turns out, Jim wasn’t just a freeloader—he was running an underground rental scheme. He’d list his house on shady sites, advertising access to “community amenities” (i.e., our hot tub and pools) to attract guests. The whole neighborhood banded together, and soon, Jim was facing more than just embarrassment—he was facing charges.
Now, we actually use our hot tub. And the only uninvited guests we worry about are the occasional raccoons.
