Gate between neighbour and our fence - what to do

[cakecakecake98]

Hi all
We recently moved in to a new house and for some reason there’s a small gate between our and the neighbours garden. The rest of it is high 6ft fence.
I don’t know why it’s there and I’d like to put something up against it - I know the obvious answer is to just remove the gate and fence it but I feel like that’d be a bit rude almost! But they do have kids who are out playing a lot and we often get balls kicked into our garden, so not sure what to put up that won’t get damaged.
The area where the gate is, is paved so can’t plant anything there.

Anyone had this before or have any ideas?

I'd buy one of those planter beds that had a trellis attached perhaps? Pop it on the paving and grown something nice up it that'll flower?

Whose responsibility is the fence? Find out and sort it straight away. There is nothing to be gained from letting it drag on or lapse.

You can unpave areas and fill with topsoil and grow things. Or pots.

If funds permit, you could get a large tube with latticed section, with a view to putting a climber there. It'd block out direct view into your garden and, also anyone just coming into your garden to collect balls without asking.

On a positive note, it was probably put up as both sets of neighbours got on well. We were actually asked by our old neighbours that if ever we put a new fence up, could we put a gate between us .

You need to be sure it's not there because of access rights before you block it up.

There is a gate in our garden because we technically have the right to take our bins out via next doors garden. We don't because we keep them in the front garden, but they couldn't just block it off without a discussion or sorting the access rights.

My neighbours have this, the people who lived there were really good friends, the gate was so they could pop in and out. And save walking round, as they have large gardens, and it was a bit of a trek. Now of course with the properties changing hands it’s no longer in use. I’d just speak to the neighbour and say you’re having it fenced. But make sure it’s your fence and not theirs. If it’s theirs just shove something in front of it, as you can’t do anything with it,

If it’s a timber gate, you can just nail some random bits of timber offcut between the support post and frame. Or a bolt from Screwfix

Does it open “into” yours - or “into” the neighbours? - that might tell you who installed it.

Or if it’s metal and see-through, then a lock or similar from Screwfix.

We have gates like this where I am, useful for access when looking after each others pets.

Could be a number of reasons. If they have a right of way for bins. Our driveway has one as there is a manhole cover in between and the water board need access to it. When I was a DC we had one as family lived next door. So determine the reason before deciding what to do.

Lots of our houses have this on our street and because there’s a “right of way”

A bit awkward and rarely used but you need to be 100% sure!

If it’s not a right of way just talk to them and tell them you’d like a proper fence panel tgere instead of the gate and let them know you plan to replace it (if it’s your fence) or ask them if they mind if you replace it (if it’s their fence). No one is going to be offended if it’s not currently used by either of you. If it’s theirs and they say no just put a panel in front of it or some other obstruction.

She can only do this if she’s sure it’s hers. She cannot do it without permission if it’s theirs.

Also op do you own or rent?

Knock on their door and introduce yourself and ask if they know why the gate is there. If they don't need access for the bins etc, tell them you'd like to remove the gate. If you wait a few weeks you can use the excuse of taking them a Christmas gift of a box of chocolates to start the conversation

Check on the Land Registry (cost £3) to see if it's marked there as a right of access or wayleave.

Ours had this. Previous owners of the two houses were sisters. We were happy it was there when we moved in, the then neighbours had a daughter the same age as ours (3 years) and the two of them could easily play together without having to be taken round via the road by an adult.

Talk to them and ask?