Neighbours - report or just grit my teeth?

Thanks for the update OP. It’s difficult sometimes not to get invested in other people’s issues and then be frustrated when they don’t do updates, which of course is their right.

I had a similar neighbour, but I was less subtle. After a holiday, with neighbour’s dog having used my garden for two weeks, I shoveled up each deposit & flung it at their front door whilst ranting about rude people and poorly trained dogs. I know they were home and they must have heard each thump I tossed. It never happened again & I must have looked quite deranged because those neighbours seem a bit frightened of me now.

@pinkandpurpleflowers2025

Fences - anti-climb paint. Gets everywhere and really hard to get out of clothes.
Dogs in the front garden - tell neighbour you've just sprayed glyphosate and it will kill the dog (obviously, you haven't, but useful as a threat) - best for them to keep it off your property as you have no obligation to tell them you've sprayed as it is your garden.
Cars on your drive - nails in front and behind the tyres. You may have to put up with it on your drive a little longer, but it's just the way it is around here. You can only get them towed if they are preventing you getting off your drive, so maybe a motorbike in the garage?
Parking - drop in posts that your nice neighbour has a key to.

No no, don't wait for developers and all of that. Go to the HA now and keep at them, every week, if they have just moved in, they could be on a starter tenancy and believe me, weekly reports, damage etc, they be gone by next year.

I work for a HA and we have had to manage moves because of difficult families causing hell for other HA residents and home owners. With enough reporting, evidence and consistency, they will be moved eventually or maybe they might humble themselves and stop it!

On my new build estate we have quite a few HA tenants. They initially get a one year contract and it’s only renewed if they haven’t caused a problem. Several tenants have already been evicted for antisocial behaviour. Please make a note of everything, dates and times etc. Report straight away and say you’ll follow up with diaries and evidence. You don’t have to put up with these people as neighbours. Even after the year is up they still get a restrictive tenancy so it’s still a possibility to get them moved on.

And contacting the developers is a good idea too, I agree.

Definitely talk to the HA. Take them a list of everything these neighbours do.

This. Why on earth have you not done this already?
Start standing up for yourself OP or things will just get worse.

@pinkandpurpleflowers2025 what do the nice neighbours think about them? Could you discuss with them how to tackle the problems in a way that they’re on board with? Agree with others you should keep evidence and go to HA.

I would contact the developers, make it their business, if they want to carry on selling houses this family need to know that their behaviour is anti social, also I imagine even more people move into the development they will be less tolerated. It’s a shame that they moved in first but once all the houses are occupied there won’t be space for them to park like dicks.

Anti climb paint might be unsightly but maybe a nice trellis top to fence?

Just by reading your posts has infuriated ME! This may have been mentioned but just to point out the pink hatched area in front of yours and neighbours plots usually means shared area to have access to by neighbours such as for reversing. You pointed out your neighbours using it for reversing and you cross theirs to get in and out. Thats what it's for but just for two of you it is not a public shared space, it's a right of way for your immediate neighbour to turn. It is your property though as outlined in red. Also usually you cannot erect anything permanent such as a fence beyond the front elevation of your house. Pop up bollards are not permanent though and is a really good idea to erect at the entry to the private driveway which you share with your immediate neighbour. I would absolutely report to HA as soon as you can. Approach the developer regarding the issue and also if you planning on putting signs, erecting pop out bollards etc as it is usually requires developers permission whilst the estate is being built and they haven't left the site. Just to cover yourself if neighbours report you to them. Absolutely hell of a situation, stay strong and confident. It is your property, your money, your investment and is to be respected!

@pinkandpurpleflowers2025 perhaps put sprinklers on your front and back garden that activate to movement. Then if the dog tries to poo on your lawn he gets drenched and goes away. Same with the climbing teens, getting soaked a few times should put them off

Anti vandal paint on the fence. He will stop doing it if it ruins his clothes, and also you will have proof if the mother comes to complain at you about it.

Good fences make good neighbours
Put in a reasonable height (waist high?) fence to keep the kids out
Park your own car over the front of your drive

If that doesn't work, put up a notice saying any vehicle parked on your land without permission will be towed away without notice and do it
(You will need to first find a reliable local tow away service)

Please try NOT to report. There might come a time when you do want to move.
By law you must declare this and it might put off potential buyers.

Purple means you own it but it’s a ‘shared drive’ or designated turning area or whatever. You absolutely cannot block access to it unfortunately.

Pepper on your lawn for the dog Rosa rugosa in your garden up your fences for the invaders and contact their landlord if they try to get snitty with you quote the law at them they are under an obligation to behave and their guests are too it will be in their tenancy agreement they just don't like enforcing it because it costs them money

Report these vile people. Hopefully they’ll get evicted.

I'd put barberry bushes - year round interest and colour, can be pruned within an inch of it's life and you won't kill it, so easy to maintain at the height you want, but with spikes that can make a grown man cry!

I would put bright dye or sticky paint all across the top of that fence.
After all it’s your property.

Hi @pinkandpurpleflowers2025 ,NRTFT, but if you report it on 101, it doesn't just get 'logged'.

I have a current thread/problem, and the solicitors here cost about £400 an hour.

Your best bet IMO is to keep a record of the incidents, and report anti-social behaviour.
Keep your ring dorbell recordings.

That’s a good idea with living on a T junction only 1 neighbour on all sides. Need to remember that.

Good luck with your situation. There is some awful advice on this thread. Don’t waste money on CCTV or an insect repellant, and don’t bother with the council they won’t do anything. The only solutions are to reason with them (which you’ve tried) or park your own car there. Outside of that can’t see anything to stop it.

I'm in a similar situation with my neighbour and reported to the housing association and they really weren't interested in helping. They eventually asked the neighbour to keep her large dog on a leash to prevent it toileting repeatedly in my garden and jumping up on me/ running into my house each time the door was open. I have a small private front garden and they've ignored my telling them that the neighbour is still keeping her potted plants, ornaments and lights on it. The outcome is that said neighbour is badmouthing me to the other neighbours for reporting these issues and I don't feel comfortable being outside at all. I put a complaint into the housing association to say that she was still using my garden despite telling them she wasn't and that her dog was on my ring doorbell unleashed outside my door. Their response was that my complaint was not upheld and it didn't even mention the garden issue. They also warned me about using my camera to "watch the movements of neighbours" when I mentioned that my ring doorbell had footage of her outside swearing about me and threatening me. It's been very stressful and I will never seek assistance from the housing association again now that I've experienced how they handle neighbour issues. If you can avoid your bad neighbours knowing that you've reported them, I would. It's a horrible situation and I hope it'll be resolved without further stress for you.

The Common Law on Trespassing
(Note: It's a solicitor's site so it's kind of an ad, too, but informative. It even covers what many posters have suggested)

"Trespassing occurs when someone unlawfully enters or remains on your property without your permission or legal right.

"Under the law, trespassing involves intentionally entering or staying on your private property without consent. This includes crossing boundaries, entering buildings, or even walking onto your land without authorization.

"Behaviours that may qualify as trespassing include:

• Unauthorized entry onto your property: If someone knowingly enters your property without your permission, it constitutes trespassing. This applies even if they claim ignorance of your property boundaries.
• Disregarding posted signs or warnings: If you have clearly displayed signs indicating that your property is private or marked with “No Trespassing” signs, anyone who ignores these warnings and enters your land without permission is trespassing.
• Failure to leave when asked: If you or your authorized representative asks someone to leave your property, and they refuse to do so, they are trespassing.
• Unauthorized use of property: If someone uses your property, such as parking a vehicle or utilizing your facilities, without your consent or legal right, it can be considered trespassing.

"If you encounter trespassers on your property, it is advisable to contact law enforcement and document the incident for evidence. Depending on your jurisdiction, trespassing can result in penalties such as fines, criminal charges, or both."

Criminal Law
"[T]respassing is the act of unlawfully entering or remaining on someone else’s property without permission or a lawful reason. It involves intentionally disregarding the owner’s rights and occupying the property without lawful authority.

"The severity of trespassing as a criminal offence depends on various factors, such as the level of the trespasser’s intent, the degree of disruption caused, and whether any damage or harm was inflicted.

"For example, suppose the trespasser engages in disruptive behaviour, such as damaging property or threatening the owner or other individuals present. The act can be treated as a more serious criminal offence in that case.

"If you have trespassers on your property, here are the steps you can take to address the situation and ensure the removal of the trespassers:

• Assess the situation: Evaluate the number of trespassers, their activities, and any potential threats to your safety or property.
• Verbal warning: Approach the trespassers calmly and assertively, informing them they are on private property without permission. Clearly state that they must leave immediately.
• Document the trespass: Take photographs or videos of the trespassers and their activities as evidence if it is safe. Note any relevant details, such as dates, times, and descriptions of the trespassers.
• Contact the authorities: If the trespassers refuse to leave or their presence poses a risk, contact the local police or law enforcement agency. Provide them with accurate information about the situation and any evidence you have gathered.
• Obtain a civil injunction: You may consider seeking a civil injunction from the court, which is a legal order requiring the trespassers to leave your property and prohibiting their return. Consult a housing solicitor experienced in property law to assist you with the necessary legal processes.
• Seek a Possession Order: If the trespassers continue disregarding your warnings and legal interventions, you can apply for a Possession Order through the civil court. This legal order grants you the right to regain possession of your property and remove the trespassers. It is essential to consult with a solicitor to navigate this process effectively."