Do I need to tell people about the creepy thing that happened next door?

Tell your agent. Do not decide this on your own, and do not decide it based on what feels fair. Here is the line that actually matters, and it has not come up in this thread. Disclosure duties almost always attach to the property you are selling, not to the property next door. Something that happened inside a neighboring unit is an off-site condition, and in most states an off-site condition is not something a seller is required to disclose. That is the general rule. But there are three ways your situation can cross back over that line, and they are the ones to check: If it produced anything physical that touches your unit. Damage, an odor, a shared wall issue, an ongoing police presence, a hazardous cleanup. Then it is not really off-site anymore. If it changed something about the building or the HOA. A special assessment, a security change, litigation, an insurance claim against the association. Those are disclosable as association matters regardless of what caused them. If a buyer asks you directly. You may have no duty to volunteer it, but you generally cannot lie about it once asked. That distinction, silence versus misrepresentation, is where sellers get into real trouble. The other reason to tell your agent rather than nobody: your agent has their own disclosure duties, separate from yours, and they vary by state. Putting it on them to evaluate is the correct move and it protects you. State law on this is genuinely all over the map. California, for example, sets a three-year window for a death on the property under Civil Code 1710.2 and protects sellers after that. Several states go further and expressly say psychological stigma never has to be disclosed. Indiana has its own limits on psychologically affected property. So the honest answer to "do I have to" is that it depends on your state, and it is a fifteen minute question for a local real estate attorney. My practical advice, separate from the legal question. If the event is publicly known, meaning it was in the news, in a police blotter, or the neighbors all talk about it, disclose it. A buyer who finds out from a neighbor two weeks after closing feels defrauded whether or not you had a duty. A buyer who hears it from you up front usually shrugs, because it happened next door and not in their home. And I would gently flag one thing. You said it was enough to make you want to move. If it is still weighing on you, that is a completely valid reason to sell and you do not owe anyone an explanation for it. I am Zoltan Peresztegi, a real estate professional in Los Angeles and the South Bay, and I am not an attorney. Bring this to your agent first, and let them tell you whether it needs to go to counsel. Zoltan

The answer depends on what happened, where you live, and whether the event could be considered a material fact that affects the property's value or desirability. In many states, sellers are required to disclose known material defects or conditions related to the property itself. Events that occurred in a neighboring unit or property are often treated differently. Some states have specific laws regarding so-called "psychologically impacted" properties, while others do not require disclosure of certain events at all. That said, you should absolutely discuss the situation with your real estate agent. Your agent can help determine whether the issue may trigger any disclosure obligations under local law and brokerage policies. A good rule of thumb is: • If the event created an ongoing condition that affects the property (safety concerns, recurring criminal activity, nuisance issues, etc.), it may be more likely to be relevant. • If it was an isolated incident with no continuing impact, disclosure requirements may be different. Because disclosure laws vary significantly from state to state, I would avoid making assumptions. Before listing the property, speak with your agent and, if necessary, a local real estate attorney. The goal is to understand your obligations upfront so you can protect yourself while ensuring that any required disclosures are handled properly.

In NY, you typically only need to disclose issues that directly affect your property—not everything happening next door.

This is one of those questions where the details and your state matter a lot. In many places, something “creepy” or non physical that happened nearby may not be treated the same as a roof leak, mold, flooding, or a structural problem. But I would still be careful about deciding on your own that it is nobody’s business. If it happened next door and does not physically affect your condo, it may not be something you are required to volunteer. But if a buyer directly asks about safety, noise, neighbors, incidents, or why you are moving, I would not lie or dance around it. I would tell your agent what happened privately and ask how it should be handled under your local disclosure rules. If it was serious enough to make you move, it is worth getting guidance before you list. The goal is not to scare buyers. The goal is to stay honest, follow the rules, and avoid a problem later where someone says you hid something important. Austin Moore Austin Moore & Company Real Estate Realtor in Longview, Texas

If your goal is to move you are not liable to disclose what happened outside of your unit. As long as it’s not a material defect to your unit, list your condo and sell. Best of luck!

I get why you’re asking… this is one of those gray areas. In most cases, you don’t have to disclose something that happened next door. Disclosure is usually about your property itself… not a neighbor or past events. That said, think about this. If it’s something a buyer would clearly notice or find out quickly, it can come back to you in a different way. Not always legally, but in how the deal goes. I’d at least tell your agent privately. Let them guide you based on your state and the situation. That’s what they’re there for. You don’t need to volunteer every detail to buyers, but you also don’t want to feel like you’re hiding something that could blow up later.

Florida disclosure law focuses on material defects to the property itself, not on events that occurred on neighboring properties. In most cases, you are not legally required to disclose what happened next door, but there are nuances worth understanding before you decide. Under Florida law (Johnson v. Davis), sellers must disclose any facts known to them that materially affect the value of the property and that are not readily observable by the buyer. Courts have generally interpreted this to apply to the subject property, not neighboring parcels. However, if the event next door has an ongoing, observable effect on the value or desirability of your property (an active police investigation that brings regular traffic, a situation that generates local media attention and is easily searchable), a buyer could argue they were deceived by omission if you knew and said nothing. In Hernando County, the practical approach most experienced listing agents take is: do not volunteer information about neighboring events that are not legally required disclosures, but do not lie if a buyer asks a direct question. If a buyer asks "has anything happened in this neighborhood that you are aware of that might affect the property," a truthful answer is required. Your agent can help you draft a written response that is accurate without being overly expansive. When in doubt, consult a Florida real estate attorney before listing. A $200 consultation is cheap compared to a post-closing dispute. Getting clarity from a real estate attorney before listing protects you from both over-disclosure and under-disclosure. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells, Keller Williams Elite Partners

That’s a really important question. In California, sellers are required to disclose any material facts that could affect a buyer’s decision or the value of the property. While laws can vary by state, New York has similar disclosure expectations. If the situation could impact a buyer’s perception of the property, its desirability, or value, it’s something you should discuss with your agent. It’s always better to be upfront—holding back information could lead to issues later, even after the sale closes. Your best move is to have an open conversation with your agent so they can guide you on what should be disclosed based on local laws and the specifics of your situation.

More details would be necessary as "creepy" could be anything from weird noises to someone passing away. There are different disclosure laws in different states.

That is such a difficult position to be in, and it is a question that comes up more often than you might think. When something unsettling happens right next door, it can definitely color how you feel about your own space, but from a real estate perspective, the rules are usually quite specific. In most cases, disclosure laws focus on what is happening within the four walls of the property you are actually selling. While you are legally required to mention material defects like a leaky roof or mold, events that happen at a neighbor's property—often referred to as a property stigma—generally do not fall under mandatory disclosure. Unless the situation next door represents an ongoing, tangible safety threat or a physical nuisance that affects your property directly, you typically are not obligated to tell potential buyers about it. I always suggest having a private, honest conversation with your listing agent. They are experts in your local disclosure laws and can help you decide if this is something that needs to be officially documented or if it is simply a personal reason for your move. By telling your agent, you are protecting yourself legally while letting them handle the delicate task of deciding what needs to be shared with a buyer. At the end of the day, everyone has a different level of what they find creepy, and what might be a dealbreaker for you could be a non-issue for someone else. Keeping the focus on the legal requirements of your own home is usually the best way to ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved.

Tell your listing agent privately what happened. Why? Because: They know your state’s disclosure laws. They can determine if it rises to “material fact.” It protects you legally. It ensures you’re not unintentionally exposed later. Never surprise your own agent. That’s when sellers get into trouble.

Tonya, the key distinction here is whether the "creepy thing" happened in your unit or next door. Based on what you described, it happened in a neighboring condo, not yours. That changes things significantly. As a seller, your disclosure obligations generally cover your own property -- its condition, known defects, and material facts that affect your unit's value. Something that happened in a neighbor's unit is typically not something you're legally required to disclose, because it didn't happen on the property you're selling. That said, disclosure laws vary by state, so the rules depend on where you're located. In Florida, for example, sellers must disclose known material facts about their property, but events in a neighboring unit usually don't fall under that umbrella. Some states have specific rules around "stigmatized properties" -- things like deaths, crimes, or alleged hauntings -- but those rules almost always apply to events that occurred on the property being sold, not next door. Here's what I'd recommend. First, tell your listing agent everything. They need the full picture to advise you properly and to handle any buyer questions that come up. Your agent can help you figure out what needs to be disclosed and what doesn't based on your state's laws. Second, if a buyer asks you a direct question about the neighborhood or neighboring units, don't lie. You're not required to volunteer information, but you can't misrepresent something if asked directly. Third, if you're genuinely unsure about your obligations, have a quick conversation with a real estate attorney in your area. It's cheap insurance for peace of mind. Bottom line -- you're selling your condo, not your neighbor's. Focus your disclosures on your own property.

Anything that affects the property disclose

In most states, you are not legally required to disclose "stigmatized" events (like a crime or death) that happened on a neighboring property. However, if the event created a permanent nuisance—like ongoing police presence or structural damage to your shared wall—it could be considered a "material fact." Your best move is to tell your agent the truth; they can help you determine if your local 2026 laws require a formal disclosure or if it's strictly a "buyer beware" situation.

This is a hard question to answer without details. However, any issues affecting the property do need to be disclosed. If it creates a safety, structural concern for the buyer I would definitely discuss it with your realtor.

No, you generally do NOT have to disclose a “creepy” or non-physical event in New York. ⚠️ Important nuance If a buyer directly asks you about something specific, you can’t lie. You don’t have to volunteer the information—but you also shouldn’t misrepresent facts.