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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would this put you off a house? (Back garden/privacy)

40 replies

merchantofvenezia · 01/05/2018 13:34

We’re moving to a new town and have found a house we really like.

At the end of the back garden, there is a very steep bank (probably about 6m up, 1 across). It’s an artificial bank, and there used to be a railway line running across it, but now it’s a cycle path. There are houses on either side.

We went up on the path, and anybody walking along it has a very clear view of the garden (a few trees in the way, but probably about 50% visibility). Having checked the deeds, the property does not include the bank - the garden ends at the bottom - meaning that we couldn’t, for example, put an opaque fence up at the side of the path.

The path wasn’t particularly busy on the day we were there, but I understand it’s very popular in the summer.

I’m trying to work out if this particularly bothers me - do you think it’s a big disadvantage that lots of people have a clear view of your garden?

OP posts:
Knittedfairies · 01/05/2018 13:47

It wouldn’t bother me. The people on the path will be walking or cycling anyway so they’re unlikely to be peering through the trees at your washing line.

Trillis · 01/05/2018 13:50

It would be a plus point for me - easy access to a nice walking/cycle path from the back door would be wonderful.

CanIBuffalo · 01/05/2018 13:52

I wouldn't buy it but that's because privacy is really important to me.

DBoo · 01/05/2018 13:53

I live in a town with one of these and although i would probably have a glance,you cant see much because of the trees.

wink1970 · 01/05/2018 13:55

I would consider safety as much as privacy. Can you fence it off or screen it in another way? It would be a no for me based on what you have said.

alittlequinnie · 01/05/2018 13:56

I live on the corner of quite a busy road and it annoys me that the people walking past can stare at me when i am mowing the lawn or putting the bins out so it might put me off - if you are lying in your garden sunbathing too the path might get a bit noisy. there is a harborne walkway in birmingham that i cycle on sometimes and often the alcoholics etc gather there in teh summer to drink and smoke weed - not sure whehter this might be an issue for you but worth considering?

HoneyBadgerApparently · 01/05/2018 13:57

I think it would put me off a little. My garden is overlooked but only by neighbours which feels less intrusive somehow.

Good rule of thumb is if this is making you question the house it would make prospective buyers question it if you ever came to sell.

Also could it possibly affect the house insurance, as there is easy and private access to the garden?

SecretIsland · 01/05/2018 13:57

I'd hate it...and I disagree that people won't look. Cyclists won't but any walkers will probably have a good nose as they go past imo (I do on our local cycle path because I find other people's houses and gardens fascinating).

ikeepaforkinmypurse · 01/05/2018 13:58

If I really like the house, I would probably go for it. I would be a lot more wary of an empty field which can end up destroyed by a new development in 6 months or a year.

For my own peace of mind, I would use shutters or curtains to prevent anyone seeing inside the house. I would be much less bothered by the view in the garden: even with a big detached and a large garden you are easily overlooked by neighbours anyway.

Is there direct access from your garden to the path, or is it too steep?

DGRossetti · 01/05/2018 13:59

It's not just privacy ... if there's high foot traffic it makes it a natural risk for burglars Sad ... how would you spot anyone acting suspiciously ?

UpstartCrow · 01/05/2018 14:01

Its really annoying in summer when you can't have a barbeque outside or sit outside without passers by joining in.

SomeKnobend · 01/05/2018 14:01

Can you plant something to prevent access and give more screening?

AmazingPostVoices · 01/05/2018 14:02

I wouldn’t buy a house with an open back garden off a path not just for privacy reasons but because it’s not very secure.

soupforbrains · 01/05/2018 14:06

It would bother me. but then I like to be able to sunbathe completely unseen by 'outsiders'.

My main concern though would be for security not privacy. but that could be resolved possibly, by a fence at the bottom of the bank?

Ruffian · 01/05/2018 14:08

Might be the type of issue that becomes increasingly annoying to you once you're in, unless you're not intending to stay many years.

Although the deeds don't cover the edge of the path is it possible to enquire somewhere - Council or whoever is responsible for the path - whether they would object to you putting up a fence at the edge if you pay for it?

SmashedMug · 01/05/2018 14:16

It would put me off. I think its a security risk as well as a privacy issue.

PlumsGalore · 01/05/2018 14:17

can you not put more trees in so visibility is even less? wouldn't bother me from the sounds of it but it depends on the length of the garden I guess.

OliviaStabler · 01/05/2018 14:21

Could you not put some type of fence up in your actual garden to afford you privacy?

ifonly4 · 01/05/2018 14:22

I think it would put me off. If I were you I'd view again and see how you feeling looking out - It's meant to be nice this coming Saturday, so an ideal time for people to get out walking/cycling, so it might give you an idea if the path is popular. If you want to view before, perhaps do it just after school as you might get one or two using it as a cut through.

NetballHoop · 01/05/2018 14:26

Things that would worry me about it would be:

  1. litter dropped by people passing by
  2. If it's open, I couldn't keep my dogs
  3. security, it sounds like it would be easy to use it as an escape route

If you can put your own fence up then I wouldn't have any problem

DGRossetti · 01/05/2018 14:29

OP needs to bear in mind that anything they do to protect privacy also hides any burglars from view Sad.

ShotsFired · 01/05/2018 14:29

Well it'd be the first time someone could plant bamboo and hope it goes as mental as it likes to do. Lovely screening and swishing!

Joinourclub · 01/05/2018 14:29

I imagine in the summer the trees will be more leafy and more of a screen. Many back gardens back on to other back gardens, and therefore have other houses overlooking them. I think a cycle path behind trees would bother me less than other houses. I'd love to live nearby my little local cycle path.

Kismett · 01/05/2018 14:51

Litter is definitely something to consider. Can you walk along the path yourself some more to get a better idea? There is a walking path that cuts through our area and I wouldn't have thought anything of buying a house right next to it. Now that we use it, I'm amazed at the amount of litter people throw when there are bins available and their houses can't be far away. I feel so bad when I see beer cans in someone's front garden. And it's otherwise a nice area with a lot of families.

Security is another issue, as people have raised. If you can put a fence up at the bottom, I'd find it more reassuring.

The privacy aspect doesn't bother me as much. I think it's worse if you have neighbours overhearing everything. Someone passing by isn't going to do much more than glance.

PoisonousSmurf · 01/05/2018 14:55

Never buy a house on a cycle path. We were on one in Bristol and we had non stop break ins to the shed and all along our street. Gangs would use the path for quick getaways.

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