Neighbour does not like the look of my garden - threatening to sue

[craxmum]

A new neighbour has moved in last month (we are sharing a wall in a semi-detached property). She seems to have a major issue with the way my garden looks (just paid me a visit at 7am on Sunday to inform me that she hasn't slept properly since she had a party last night and her guests were apparently "aghast"). First thing she did after moving in was decking and astroturfing her back garden fence to fence (the bits that weren't already covered in concrete).

She did mention it a couple of times before, but I never thought it bothers her that much. Now she made a vague threat of suing me for damage to her assets, as apparently her house value and enjoyment of her property is impacted. I mean, she bought it a couple of weeks ago (at the normal market value as far as I can see from the open sources), surely she made the decision with full awareness of what my garden looks like? She added a couple of personal insults (about me being foreign etc) as well.

My garden is a bit informal allotment style. We grow berries, tomatoes, courgettes, peppers, beans, herbs - stuff like that, also have a couple of dwarf fruit trees. Sunflowers all over the place at the moment. I have two small children (3 and 5), they absolutely love it and they have their own little experimentation areas. There is a bit of lawn, but with two dogs it is not in great shape - trimmed, but with some bald patches. There is an occasional weed or two, or maybe ten. Plenty of butterflies and bees. A composter (of a posh type, fully closed and maintained, not leftovers rotting in a bin). There is a water butt and sometimes watering cans / other gardening equipment lying around. I mean, it is by no means perfect, and can sometimes be messy and looks quite rustic, but I absolutely cannot see what I can do to comfort her apart from ripping all vegetation out and paving over.
AIBU?

[MamaBear2181]

Your garden sounds gorgeous and just how I’d like mine, great for kids too :) She is BU, tell her so and not to bother you again x

[ThisMightAlsoInterestYou]

If she doesn't leave you alone tell her you will report her for harassment. And you will have a case. Unlike her. Mad cow. Your garden sounds fabulous OP

[Sheepish79]

Your garden sounds like the one I would love to have. Ignore your neighbour she is just jealous and enjoy your wonderful child /dog friendly garden.

[Icanttakemuchmore]

If your garden had 4ft plus weeds and overgrowth etc I could u der stand her not wanting to look out of her bedroom window and seeing a jungle but from what you've described, it's a working garden so tell her to f off! Let her pay to take you to court, they'll laugh in her face!

[pollymere]

Sue her for damages? Astroturf means water can't drain properly. My garden had to have trees removed and is currently an overgrown jungle. Now that's an eyesore.

[simonisnotme]

im sure I saw this reported on the mirror paper site

[IAmtheOompahLoompah]

//www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/woman-threatened-lawsuit-neighbour-who-13004223.amp

Top-flight journalism, that

[Andromeida59]

Hi OP, your garden sounds amazing and just what we're hoping to do.

Everyone is right saying about her suing you but Environmental Health will get involved if there are complaints about rubbish and vermin. So as long as you ensure the area is free of vermin and rubbish you will be fine.

If anyone is having issues with neighbours with potential rats nests (mattresses/furniture etc.) then you can go to the council to complain.

Last thing OP, if she tries to complain you can always use the fact she had a party, presumably still going on after 11pm, to your advantage.

[Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar]

Properly laid AstroTurf will include drainage, pollymere.
It’s not laid directly onto concrete. Patio gardens are far worse for the environment.

[Jux]

Does astroturf act like putting that mesh down which is porous but cuts out light (so all weeds etc die)? Does that mean that after a few years you can chuck the astroturf and you have wonderful, clean, fresh soil which has been a haven for worms and which has no plants in it at all?

If so, I'll buy the neighbour's house and start a lovely garden just like op's!

[Mynameisnotjane]

I have new neighbours (3 months) and they keep making comments about my house, offering me the number of a painter (i agree it does need a paint job and have painter lined up) and my lawn (they kept cutting it out in front where they has access) and now recently, my fence (They wanted to paint it to match theirs). At first I thought they were being friendly but now I realise they had an ulterior motive. My point is yes while I do need to paint the house and do a bit of weeding in the garden, it's not horrendous by no means & it was like that when they bought their house. So if my house was that bad, surely that would mean they would have got a better deal when buying. The previous neighbour never came near me once when selling it, so new neighbours are just snobs. I have a lot going on at the moment and have told them it will all be sorted but the snide comments keep coming. I just avoid them now. They have house shamed me. I don't see how your neighbour could have grounds to sue. If it was the other way around however and a neighbour moved in and started to let their house & garden fall into serious disrepair I would be majorly ticked off.

[Bowlofbabelfish]

You have a proper garden. It looks lovely and I’m very jealous (we built our own place and are creating one from bare earth and it’s hard work!! )

Don’t retaliate with anything visible.
Do make notes of dates, times and what was said, especially any racist comments
Do tell her that you are surprised she’s put decking up because rats just love that. Cheerily let her know that when they move in she needs to call an exterminator because the council tend not to do it any more.
Do enjoy your lovely garden.

[CluelesslyMomin]

Please please get chickens, I promise they'll solve this problem.

[smilingontheinside]

A strategically placed mirror should sort it a big melted green mess would give you something to complain about

[Figmentofmyimagination]

Chickens - yes - and they live for ages. We had 3 bantams as pets throughout our children's childhood, in a small suburban garden. They got along fine with the dog and I think the mix kept them safe from cats. Good fun. Two were hatched from eggs bought over the Internet using a small incubator. Actually they were quiet unless they were surprised by something.

[MistressDeeCee]

Tell her to sue then, and get back to you when she's done so. Then don't engage in any further conversation. She's a controlling PITA so why would you want to anyway