Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Gate that’s not a gate

36 replies

blingypoops · 22/04/2025 21:25

AIBU? Come home from work and this once once small shared gate has been replaced by a sort of fence that’s not a fence, its just pieces of wood? it’s literally nailed shut and you can’t open it, only from the inside? The gap is where I’ve booted it. Would you be angry?

Gate that’s not a gate
OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
ClutchingPearlz · 23/09/2025 10:57

blingypoops · 22/04/2025 21:38

The daughter said that’s how they wanted it, I have a gardener and window cleaner who both let themselves in through the back, how are they meant to get in?

Show quote history

Tell them that’s not how it’s going to be or just take it down?

FairKoala · 23/09/2025 10:52

Reported duplicate post

FairKoala · 23/09/2025 10:51

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

FairKoala · 23/09/2025 10:51

If it’s on the deeds that there is shared access then it doesn’t matter what they want.

If they don’t like that they have people coming over their back garden then they really shouldn’t have bought a house with shared access.

Are they FTB’s Did they understand what shared access means.

I would ask whether their solicitor made it clear that when it says shared access then that is exactly what it is so they can’t just do what they want. It is a legal requirement to have a gate that can be opened both sides.

The gate won’t be there for that long as people will need access and the gate will need to be removed by them or by those who need access

Personally you could go Texas Chainsaw Massacre on the gate. If they come out to protest just keep going till it is cut off then when you have turned off the chainsaw ask what it was they were saying

I would also get a ladder and long handled bolt cutters as I see them installing bolts and padlock and chain

How many people is this going to affect because you could go with it and give them permission to give up your access for a price. Eg £30,000 for each household it will affect.

ThrillsAndSpills2025 · 23/04/2025 19:18

Are you sure the access is legitimate? My lovely neighbour and I have a gate fitted between our gardens so that she can get garden waste out via me, she doesn't have her own side access. All carefully considered and locks both sides so it can't be counted as right of access or precedent etc. It's me being a nice neighbour but I could revoke at any point.

Aliceglass · 23/04/2025 18:08

The cheek! I’d be absolutely fuming and unattaching it from your property pronto! They have no right drilling it in without your consent. They know they’ve done something wrong? They just hope you won’t kick off. Neighbours like this are awful!!

TheHerboriste · 23/04/2025 15:09

Any developments, OP?

User5274959 · 22/04/2025 23:01

My side gate to my house can only be opened from the back. It is a proper gate with a handle on the back but nothing to the front,
I guess it's for security reasons? I don't think they're that uncommon.

When the window cleaner is due I just have to remember to leave it open.

ChompandaGrazia · 22/04/2025 22:09

They shouldn’t be attaching anything to your house without permission. A house a few doors up from me have gates across but they both agreed to it.

HelenaWaiting · 22/04/2025 22:07

Doesn't look like it would take much for it to accidentally fall down during the night, OP 😉

Original poster
blingypoops · 22/04/2025 22:00

Screamingabdabz · 22/04/2025 21:58

I would be similarly fuming and would probably do something very impulsive and unneighbourly. YANBU.

Haha! I came extremely close 🤣🤣

OP posts:
Screamingabdabz · 22/04/2025 21:58

I would be similarly fuming and would probably do something very impulsive and unneighbourly. YANBU.

TheHerboriste · 22/04/2025 21:56

blingypoops · 22/04/2025 21:54

It’s all the way across so attached to my house and theirs, honestly I’m fuming

Show quote history

Talk about gall!!!

And the coward wouldn’t come to the door?

Original poster
blingypoops · 22/04/2025 21:55

TheHerboriste · 22/04/2025 21:50

I’d lose my shit, but check the deeds first.
Do you have any photos of the previous arrangement?

Do you live alone? Some couples think they can walk all over solo women with impunity. Ask me how I know.

No I have a partner but he’s more calm than me 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
blingypoops · 22/04/2025 21:54

ChompandaGrazia · 22/04/2025 21:52

I have a similar entrance at my house. We have a shared alley between us. However I own half and they own half.

Have they attached one side to your house or property?

It’s all the way across so attached to my house and theirs, honestly I’m fuming

OP posts:
ChompandaGrazia · 22/04/2025 21:52

I have a similar entrance at my house. We have a shared alley between us. However I own half and they own half.

Have they attached one side to your house or property?

TheHerboriste · 22/04/2025 21:50

I’d lose my shit, but check the deeds first.
Do you have any photos of the previous arrangement?

Do you live alone? Some couples think they can walk all over solo women with impunity. Ask me how I know.

LammasEve · 22/04/2025 21:46

We have a similar entrance and I'd be fuming if this was put up. A proper gate that you can open easily, may be ok but not something that's effectively blocking access.

5128gap · 22/04/2025 21:46

So your neighbours have made it so no one can access any of your properties from the back, but you yourselves can use it to exit out of the back? I'm guessing they did it to make the back more secure by stopping anyone getting through the gate to the gardens. It won't do, of course. What they need if they want this security is a proper gate with a key and each resident has a key.

tealandteal · 22/04/2025 21:45

Have you checked your deeds to see who is responsible for the fence/boundary and what it says regarding right of access. Having this in advance of a conversation will back you up if they will come to talk to you.

Original poster
blingypoops · 22/04/2025 21:43

Zonder · 22/04/2025 21:39

I think we need a diagram of where the gate is in relation to your property and theirs, and anyone else's property who might need to use it.

It’s literally down the side of each property and it leads to the back gardens so it’s 50/50 shared, behind the gate that’s not a gate is my back door one side and theirs the other

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 22/04/2025 21:41

If it was me and it was blocking my right of way, I would take it down.

Zonder · 22/04/2025 21:39

I think we need a diagram of where the gate is in relation to your property and theirs, and anyone else's property who might need to use it.

Original poster
blingypoops · 22/04/2025 21:39

blingypoops · 22/04/2025 21:38

The daughter said that’s how they wanted it, I have a gardener and window cleaner who both let themselves in through the back, how are they meant to get in?

Show quote history

And no, i would hardly class gaining access to my own property damage.

OP posts:
Original poster
blingypoops · 22/04/2025 21:38

rwalker · 22/04/2025 21:36

Chances are it’s not finished I would of just asked them the plans for a handle on the outside
do you plan to repair the damage

The daughter said that’s how they wanted it, I have a gardener and window cleaner who both let themselves in through the back, how are they meant to get in?

OP posts: