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AIBU?

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Original poster

Neighbours think my drive is a right of way

207 replies

Runningonjammiedodgers · 08/04/2024 12:21

Pic attached.

I live in a row of terreced houses. My house (1) has a path to the front door and a drive way next to my house. Houses 2-5 share a path that leads to the road. There is a strip of grass in front of their houses and then their parking spaces.

Neighbours in house 2 used to walk over the grass to their front door to avoid going the long way up the path. They (and their guests) have now taking to walking down my driveway along my path and jumping over the flower bed in the middle to get to their door. It's really pissing me off! It's my property being treated as a right of way and they walk right past my living room window so there is no privacy. But it's also not causing any damage or inconvenience. Just annoying as hell.

AIBU to ask them to stop using my property as a public footpath? Or do I just need to suck it up?

Neighbours think my drive is a right of way
OP posts:
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14
NamelessNancy · 08/04/2024 12:43

Might something like this work?
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/2967017

Original poster
Runningonjammiedodgers · 08/04/2024 12:37

MrsGalloway · 08/04/2024 12:35

I wonder if it’s worse at the moment because the grass is so wet with all the rain?

I would have a polite word, you can just say it makes you jump when people are right outside your window and it makes you feel exposed so would they mind not doing it. Most people would be apologetic

I think that's it. It's been since Christmas as I don't think they want to traipse mud into there house from walking over the grass. And it would be a ball ache to use the path as it is a detour. But that's also one of the reasons I chose to buy my home and pay extra for the privilege of not having a shared path.

OP posts:
Footyfandango · 08/04/2024 12:37

Agree with others who have advised a trellis. If you do it now and plant something like sweet peas, this is the time of year for such gardening jobs. I think doing this does not look confrontational merely that you are spending some time and effort on your garden. It will also look very pretty when they bloom. Think this might be the cheapest and most diplomatic way to resolve

DisforDarkChocolate · 08/04/2024 12:37

We had something similar, a berberis (I think) stopped it.

MrsGalloway · 08/04/2024 12:35

I wonder if it’s worse at the moment because the grass is so wet with all the rain?

I would have a polite word, you can just say it makes you jump when people are right outside your window and it makes you feel exposed so would they mind not doing it. Most people would be apologetic

Original poster
Runningonjammiedodgers · 08/04/2024 12:35

Mummame2222 · 08/04/2024 12:32

Put a little fence up.

I think that might be the only option. Tempted to fence the whole way down the path and shove a gate in for good measure.

OP posts:
LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 08/04/2024 12:35

Holly bush

Original poster
Runningonjammiedodgers · 08/04/2024 12:34

Fraaahnces · 08/04/2024 12:33

Barbed wire is such an underrated invention

Oh my god! A roll of barbed wire is a wonderful idea

OP posts:
Original poster
Runningonjammiedodgers · 08/04/2024 12:33

Fallenangelofthenorth · 08/04/2024 12:30

It would annoy me too, but given you've not spoken to them, I'd do that first before thinking about putting up obstacles. They probably think you're not bothered if they're not arseholes generally.

Yes hopefully.

Though the house the other side did have a noise issues and they did nothing after she asked them to turn their music down. Oh actually not nothing, they asked her to feed their cat whilst they were on holiday. But failed to do acknowledge the noise issue.

OP posts:
Fraaahnces · 08/04/2024 12:33

Barbed wire is such an underrated invention

Mummame2222 · 08/04/2024 12:32

Put a little fence up.

TheValueOfEverything · 08/04/2024 12:31

So annoying! As another poster suggested plant some shrubs and put in trellis like this to support and make a mini fence effect. Even if the height of the trellis is disproportionately high compared to the height of your plants. This is cheap trellis, if you can afford better there are more long lasting options. It may be enough to send a message and change behaviours! Trellis

https://amzn.eu/d/dKCjiUO?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-5045684-neighbours-think-my-drive-is-a-right-of-wayb

GasPanic · 08/04/2024 12:31

Its a stupid layout IMO that is asking for trouble.

Why did they just not put the parking spaces in front of the houses and run short paths through the grass to each house.

FloofCloud · 08/04/2024 12:30

That would annoy me too, and at night I'd get a bit 😱 being alone in the house and hearing noises outside

Fallenangelofthenorth · 08/04/2024 12:30

It would annoy me too, but given you've not spoken to them, I'd do that first before thinking about putting up obstacles. They probably think you're not bothered if they're not arseholes generally.

bellezarara · 08/04/2024 12:28

Runningonjammiedodgers · 08/04/2024 12:25

I have planted some bits in the flower bed but now they just jump a little higher on their way past.

They are fine enough but I don't have much to do with them. I also live alone and don't want to create issues for myself unnecessarily. But when they extended family decides on them and has a merry prosession past my living room window I feel pretty fucked off.

You need to fix this asap. A fence would be best.

0sm0nthus · 08/04/2024 12:28

They do it because you're a woman living on her own and they think you won't push back, and they think that if you do push back they will easily be able to intimidate you.

fedupandstuck · 08/04/2024 12:27

Put something in the flower bed that requires some substantial support eg trellis, bamboo canes, or similar. Anything that would be really tricky to get over/through without damaging. It needs to be easier for them to go around than it is to try and get over.

Choccyoclocky · 08/04/2024 12:27

Put up a fence!

I had a teenage boy walk his bike through my front garden so avoid the steps, I had seen him do it but hadn't been quick enough. I thought putting my bins infront of the gap would be enough, but he used to move them!! I caught him one day as I was coming down the road and told him to stop, which he did! I'm so glad we've moved since then and have lovely elderly neighbours!

Shinyeyes · 08/04/2024 12:27

A neighbour of ours was in a similar situation, they put an enormous garden ornament and a very spiky shrub in the gap which seemed to stop it. It was their neighbour's teenage sons who were using the cut-through, and asking nicely wasn't working.

sonjadog · 08/04/2024 12:26

I would start off by asking them to stop. I had this problem where I used to live. I asked them to stop. They did.

Original poster
Runningonjammiedodgers · 08/04/2024 12:25

I have planted some bits in the flower bed but now they just jump a little higher on their way past.

They are fine enough but I don't have much to do with them. I also live alone and don't want to create issues for myself unnecessarily. But when they extended family decides on them and has a merry prosession past my living room window I feel pretty fucked off.

OP posts:
KoolKookaburra · 08/04/2024 12:25

Or a massive spikey hedge/wall in the flower bed

StevieNicksWannabe · 08/04/2024 12:25

I have a similar issue at my house and it annoys me massively. To put a fence around ours would be £££, so it's something I have to grin & bear.

I do get some pleasure when a delivery driver walks right past my window and my huge, loud dog scares the living shit out of them.

I'd love to get a motion-activated sprinkler system to serve as a deterrent!

KoolKookaburra · 08/04/2024 12:25

Would a gate work? A locked gate

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