Right of Access - polite to knock?

[palmtreesoliveleaves]

We live on a row of terraced houses with right of access for 3 houses through our back garden. The path runs flush against our living room's low back window, kitchen, and back door.

We've not had anyone use it until my immediate neighbours moved in a few months ago and it seems to be on a weekly basis.

I'm aware it's for maintenance/workmen/garden waste etc. It just seems excessive, no one else in the row uses it.

I know this is part and parcel of terraced living but the number of times I've got a fright when suddenly someone appears at my back window when I'm sitting in the living room is unreal. It really puts you on edge.

Plus, my back gate always gets left open, so it continues to bang until I go out and close it.

Is it too much to ask that the workmen knock before using it so I know someone will be in our garden and then I can go and close the gate afterwards? We're 1 house from the end and have used their garden 3 times in the time we've been here and have always knocked first to let them know.

Could you fit a shop-bell or similar to the gate so you get a "ping" when it's opened?

I think there's a type of film you can get that's one-way mirrored so you can see out but the person outside just sees their reflection. (I might have made that up),

I have just Googled "one-way window film" and it does exist and seems relatively cheap, lots available online.

What's the exact wording on the deeds OP?

Put some self closing hinges and a latch on the gate.

If you're worried about a future dog escaping, can you fence off the rest of your garden so there's still a path but your dog has a safe space?

They shouldn’t have to ask or knock and isn’t enforceable either. You didn’t have to buy the house, there are lots of other houses in the world. But they shouldn’t be leaving the gate open

We have a right of access along our back window. It's rarely used. But when it is we get plenty of warning from the dogs going berserk.

If it is workmen, you can hope this is temporary as they are getting the new house sorted.

Putting a spring and a bell on it will make them (the actual residents) feel awkward about using it and discourage them from getting in the habit of going this way when they could go through the house

That is awful behaviour of your predecessors. What arses.

They are using it in accordance with the deeds, I think you need to adjust your expectations and accept the terms in the deeds.

You can buy window film from The Range or B and Q cheaply, 10 quid ish a roll. Stick some over the bottom pane, job done.

Thank your lucky stars they haven't decided to

1. Turn it into an HMO
2. Block up the front door
3. Become cycle commuters
4. Take up smoking weed outside day and night
5. All 4!

We have right of access. I take the bins out without knocking as it's the same every week (I'll normally do theirs while I'm at it if I get there first). But for any other maintenance work I tend to bob a text or knock the door as a courtesy. Happens a handful of times a year.