Neighbours and alley...

[TooManyPups]

So I recently moved (rented) and the house has a back gate that leads to an alley for bins/access etc (obligatory diagram added).. When we moved in the neighbours seemed nice enough but maybe a little over conscious about security (cctv back and front and 2 large dogs that they said they got after a previous break in)... Now when we moved in the alley end was being blocked by the row of bins and then a bit further down by plant pots I found it a little annoying but not really the end of the world and was happy to hop round the plant pots and move and replace the bins when I need to get in or out from the back (2 large extra hairy like to get covered in mud dogs myself)... Now they've added some rubbish bamboo screening type stuff to block it even more...
Am I unreasonable for expecting to be able to use my back gate?
Worth noting that it definitely isn't part of their property that I am crossing through... their front and back garden both have a wall between it and the alley.
I have some mh problems and hate confrontation but house has brand new carpets so really don't want to bring muddy dogs through it in the winter.

I'd start by having a polite word. They might be oblivious to your issues.

If it then persisted I'd raise it with your landlord to take action. Worse case scenario - they'll require a legal letter reminding them of the contents of their deeds (which presumably require the area to be a clear access route for you).

Tell your ll about them blocking your access and point out that it's a fire hazard. You'll probably find that the alley is owned by your ll

Can you contact the letting agent/landlord to see if there have been issues in the past?

Confirm that it is your right of access, get it in writing and then go round armed with the facts and have a discussion.

Perhaps the old tenants didn’t use the back so they’ve got used to doing what they like.

Thankyou for the advice... OH is going to pop round later and see if we can politely resolve it.. Failing that I will speak to letting agents.
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