Neighbour dilemma!

[Fdev]

Hello mums. I'm new here and this is my first post. I just wanted people's opinions. I rent a back to back property with an enclosed garden, which I intend to eventually buy. My landlord has an agreement with the owner on the back of me to have a set of keys to my top and bottom gate (ginnel entrance) and help herself to the washing line. She has never introduced herself, or even shouts over our gate to warn us of her coming. She just turns up, puts the washing out and leaves. She has walked in on my partner doing a work out this morning, which had resulted in her now feeling on edge and no privacy. What would you guys do? Do I speak to the landlord? Or the neighbour? If so how do I approach this?

Thanks in advance

You said you were new Fdev that’s maybe why you can’t add pics. I think you have to have been here a short time first?

Can you change the locks?

Like "Thomas" said, she might have a right of way over your land to hang washing. I think they are called "hanging rights". If she does, it will be in the deeds and nothing to do with your landlord letting her hang her washing. Did the landlord tell you about it before you moved in?

@antisupermum my thoughts exactly but wasnt sure if I was being OTT

I could change the locks and have done with it but I am on very good terms with my landlord and dont want to rock the boat and create problems for him also

Nothing to add but to emphasis that you must consult solicitor (a really good one) before even contemplating buying.

Speak to your landlord and find out if it is an informal agreement or a right of way before you change the lock. Alternatively, you could order the deeds from the land registry which would cost around £5.

talk to your landlord?

Do check with the landlord about the agreement. Is it based on anything in the deeds of the house? Is it something that began before the LL bought the house?

Don't buy the house without sorting this agreement out first.

I wouldn't presume there was an agreement in place (even though there probably is). Just approach your landlord and tell him about this random woman who hangs her washing in your garden and ask him to call a halt to it.

If he didn't include it in your agreement then as far as you are concerned it doesn't exist. If he asks you to let it continue and you don't mind I would ask for a reduction in my rent but ideally I would want her out.

A - talk to the landlord. If that doesn't resolve it then:

B - tell the landlord that you are going to put a bolt on the gate. If they won't allow it then:

C - take the washing line down.

The landlord probably doesn't want her drying her clothes inside the house, as it can cause mould, so rather than having damage to the house, they instructed the neighbour to use the garden instead. Probably a landlord problem, rather than a neighbour problem.

This shouldn't be happening.
Your rent includes paying for the sole use of the garden.
This 'verbal agreement', which you were not made aware of prior to signing the tenancy either, breaches your tenancy agreement.

Check your tenancy agreement t&c's, something about enoyment and privacy of accomodation.

For now, i'd let her know she cannot do this anymore and let your landlord know also and ask for the t&c's to be clarified.
Then if they still insist on the arrangement - she can pay half the rent for the privilege.

Or she can get a fucking clothes horse to use on her own property like normal people.....

What happens if your was washing is hanging out?

I wouldn't be happy either
I would speak to your LL. They may have forgotten about it as it was so long ago

Several people have asked now and you still haven’t answered Did you know about it before you moved in?

Change the locks?

@heartsonacake no there was no mention of this beforehand. And as I've said nothing about it in the contract

Change the locks,job done,what a barmy arrangement.

OP how do you get post delivered if the only entrance is by a locked ginnel?

@Hingeandbracket presumably into the postbox by the locked gate on the road side

The postbox is on the front gate as stated earlier in the thread

Very strange and I think it's not acceptable that the neighbour can just wander into your garden whenever she wants.
Her behavior is very odd but imagine it was some creepy guy and you lived there alone.
You wouldn't feel safe.

I would speak to my landlord asap and end this odd arrangement. If he refuses to do so you might consider to change the locks as pp have suggested.

The postbox is on the front gate as stated earlier in the thread
Apologies I missed that.
Off topic but this has led me down a merry path - I thought all the genuine back-to-backs had gone - turns out I was wrong - they were just mostly removed. I am guessing you're in Leeds?

what happens if you have your washing on the line?