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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

566 replies

craxmum · 29/07/2018 10:03

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?

OP posts:
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10
pictish · 29/07/2018 10:22

Is this a wind up?

In case it’s not...

She can’t sue you for having different taste to her.
Her garden sounds dreadful. Astroturf seems to be catching on. God knows why. I haven’t seen a garden that looked better for it yet. Plastic grass? Just why would you?
Your garden sounds lovely.
Tell her she’s being ridiculous and not to bother you with her pish again. Mean it.

Ta1kinpeace · 29/07/2018 10:22

Your garden sounds lovely.

Personally I'd put up a small freestanding windmill to let your kids learn about renewable energy Wink Grin

BounceAndJump · 29/07/2018 10:23

Also if its 'effecting her house value' point out she should be thanking you for saving her money as she just bought the house 😂

OneThreadOnly0101 · 29/07/2018 10:23

Could you erect some kind of Wickerman-esque scarecrow? Perhaps dance around it naked in the evenings, chanting and wafting smudge sticks? You could set fire to it when she has her next gathering Grin

ProfessorMoody · 29/07/2018 10:23

Your neighbour is a racist, batshit person who doesn't have a leg to stand on. I'd put a note through telling her that if she harasses you again, you'll be taking legal advice.

SeamstressfromTreacleMineRoad · 29/07/2018 10:24

You have a garden (& a lovely one by the sound of it). She has a yard. She's also a racist, so don't waste any time on her. Just make sure that you log all her insults etc - just in case... Enjoy your garden Flowers

usernameismyusername · 29/07/2018 10:24

Tell her you're going to sue her for harassment and having a face like a bashed crab.

OftenHangry · 29/07/2018 10:24

Tell her to fuck off.
I have veg on my garden too and luckily my neighbours are lovely and are actually supporting my gardening trials and errors saying it's nice to see younger people garden rather than just 0ave over everything. And trust me, the garden sometimes looks like.... Well not great, when something doesn't work out.
Let her sue you and when she gets laughed out of courtroom by the judge, counter sue for emotional distress.
What would concern me most is her digs at you being foreign. If she does that again, I would consider asking local police for advice. It can turn into full on hate crime and harassment.

chicola · 29/07/2018 10:25

You know the rules.

We need a photo.

eightfacesofthemoon · 29/07/2018 10:25

@OneThreadOnly0101
And paint the face to look like her! Only a really distorted version so she can’t quite work out if it’s supposed to be her or not

Kidssendingmenuts · 29/07/2018 10:26

Let her waste her money and sue you, she will be laughed out of court, which the case probably wouldn't even get to. I'd add some wind chimes and random ugly gnomes to really tip her over the edge ha ha, and tons of solar lights so she can see your garden at night time too! X

Susikettu · 29/07/2018 10:26

I'd keep a diary of all the comments, time of day etc. Doesn't sound like it's a problem with your garden but with you unfortunately and these things esculate. My NDN has a garden like you described plus chickens and I love it and a bit jealous. I just CBA to do ours so it's mainly dead lawn at the moment.

bubbles108 · 29/07/2018 10:26

Since she bought it recently with full knowledge of what your garden looks like, I'd tell her to crack on if she wants to waste her money.

This

Tell her that you're looking forward to having a chat with her solicitor (who will almost certainly have the stupid bat sectioned)

Pippylou · 29/07/2018 10:26

Mine is "rustic" & I live between 2 immaculate (but nature-free) gardens. I have a lot of widelife but still feel a bit guilty. I will be tackling the hedges once bird season ends...

My neighbours say nothing, even tho for one, it must get to her for various reasons.

Your garden sounds lovely, so good for the kids. Carry on!

chickenowner · 29/07/2018 10:26

She sounds completely crazy. Ignore.

Incidentally, your garden sounds lovely!

viques · 29/07/2018 10:26

Your garden sounds almost perfect, it is just missing

Some chickens.

Smile
AwkwardSquad · 29/07/2018 10:26

Your garden sounds gorgeous. Can you afford to put a higher fence up between you and the strange astro-turfing neighbour? For your sake, not hers!

Thishatisnotmine · 29/07/2018 10:26

To paraphrase Alan Partridge "she's a mentalist!"

Perhaps she'll talk with other neighbours and it might start to dawn on her that she's the odd one.

123bananas · 29/07/2018 10:27

Sounds like my neighbour, came round complaining about a tree growing outside the back fence of our garden (on public land) on the day we moved in because it shaded her garden for part of the day. She has perfectly manicured bushes of different colours and a uniform lawn. No weeds in sight. She complains about the slightest thing.

My garden is like yours we grow loads of fruit and veg and the kids love it. Ignore and enjoy. If she wants to waste money taking a case that can't win to court let her.

SharronNeedles · 29/07/2018 10:27

Please get chickens

Kidssendingmenuts · 29/07/2018 10:27

Ooooh just remembered ASDA do those giant gnomes, get tons of them if you can afford it! But point them all facing her house like they are watching her x

Juells · 29/07/2018 10:28

My garden is a wildlife haven. That's my excuse anyway - there's a fox's den under the shed and I haven't gone near the garden all summer because of not wanting to disturb the cubs. So the weeds and shrubs are rampant. If anyone knocked on my door to complain (which they wouldn't) I'd tell them to fuck off.

OTOH it sounds like she might be a bit deranged, it might be better not to engage with her at all. Next would come the weedkiller sprayed over the fence...

funnylittlefloozie · 29/07/2018 10:28

I love an unanimous response thread. PLEASE get chickens!

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 29/07/2018 10:29

She hasn't slept because of someone's garden. The stupid bitch. She has certainly been graced with the easiest of lives if that's all she's got to worry about.
She sounds like a trouble causing nasty bullying cunt. If someone knocked at my door at 7am threatening me. I'd be calling it harasment.

Honestly the courts will roll around not being able to breath laughing at her until it isnt funny anymore and If a 1 in a octillion chance she is successful. I'll give you the money myself.

ToastyFingers · 29/07/2018 10:29

Your garden sounds glorious.

Your neighbor sounds like a meddling loser.