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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wwyd? Neighbours

141 replies

NoRoomInBed · 10/06/2020 16:07

So everyone loves a neighbours thread. My issue is we have a trampoline in the garden. I keep finding next doors kids on it. They are 6 and 4. They open the gate and jump on.

My kids are not using it atm. its lockdown. Should I let them use it. They are probably going crazy from boredom.
It's slightly annoying me but at the same time I kinda understand.

OP posts:
StoneofDestiny · 11/06/2020 19:37

I heard of someone who sued a neighbour who lent their ladder to them - they fell or something. No idea what happened in the end, but nice neighbours might not be so nice if cash is waved about.
If you can be prosecuted if burglars hurt themselves on barbed wire on your fence (if you had it), I'd be doubly cautious about anything happening to anybody in my garden, even if they had no right to be there.

I'd never want to fall out with my neighbours so I'd probably lock my gate or 'shut down' the sides of the trampoline to stop them using it, or tell the parents they can only use it if their parent is in the garden with them as you are concerned about them hurting themselves. (If you don't mind people using your garden etc)

QueenBee5 · 11/06/2020 19:47

Lock the gate. Let your kids use it.

MorganKitten · 11/06/2020 19:48

Send them home each time, you should be able to use your garden. Get a better gate and lock.

Original poster
NoRoomInBed · 11/06/2020 19:54

We aren't using the garden much just now. Parents are working and no health concerns so they are not following social distancing as they see it they are low risk and if they catch it itll be from work rather than other people who are distancing (yeah I dont get it either). You have all convinced me to have a word with parents about them watching the kids while on it. Even if they did come after me for money they will be very very disappointed 😂

OP posts:
FelicisNox · 11/06/2020 20:34

On principle I would be locking the gate.

(I would be mortified if my kids just let themselves into someone else's garden and just helped themselves to someone else toys).

At that age they understand ownership just fine and the parents are taking the piss.

MrsBadcrumble123 · 11/06/2020 20:38

Lock the gate or tell them to leave and not come in your garden especially at the moment with COVID CFs

Mamawingingit1234 · 11/06/2020 20:38

I love kids playing but I like my privacy. Our neighbour (Both mum and sad) routinely use to let their child into ours gardens to play with said equipment when they thought people weren’t home. My DH was wfh home and caught them opening the gate to let their child play with my DC new gift from grandparents and the other neighbour caught them on camera. It’s rude and entitled not to mention said child is rough with toys. Our gate and fence is about 6ft so we have a lock on it now. Nothing worse than finding trikes being thrown around and the new slide has a new crack on it!

Hippee · 11/06/2020 20:50

Does anyone remember the fab thread where the OP locked her garden gate, unaware that her neighbour's children were in it, playing on her play equipment. The neighbour went ballistic and claimed that it was a public play park?

notthemum · 11/06/2020 20:54

Usually the trampoline instructions say
One person at a time.
Not to be used by persons under 6 years of age.
Children must be supervised at all times.

crusheddaffodils · 11/06/2020 21:10

As others have said, you have a legal duty of care to visitors in your garden... I wouldn't be risking it.

Windyatthebeach · 11/06/2020 21:20

Send them an invoice. Jump 360 charge 10 quid an hour...
Grin

Lincsvip · 11/06/2020 21:31

It’s way beyond cheeky. Nip it in the bud now

SafferUpNorth · 11/06/2020 21:51

Why not just lend it to them to put in their own garden? You've said your kids aren't using it atm because they're probably bored of it.
But clearly you can't have the neighbour's kids coming through into your garden for liability reasons as others have said. You say they're nice enough people, so presumably they'll look after it.

Mamawingingit1234 · 11/06/2020 22:45

@Hippee no but I really want to read it!

Pinkyyy · 11/06/2020 22:51

I see no problem with them using it, but it's not a free for all. I'd probably tell the parents that they need to supervise if the kids are using it.

I'd also maybe say something like-
gate open = welcome to use trampoline
gate closed = not right now
It is your home after all and you need to have some boundaries, them climbing over the fence would piss me off.

NeutrinoWrangler · 12/06/2020 00:26

If they parents don't know, they're neglectful for not keeping closer watch over a 4-year-old. If they do know, they're very cheeky to allow their children to play in someone else's garden without asking first, COVID-19 or no.

I'd want to put a stop to it, purely on the principle of the thing. They're wrong for letting their children use your property without permission. I'd be annoyed at anyone (children included) just barging in and making themselves at home unless I'd said they were welcome any time.

NeutrinoWrangler · 12/06/2020 00:27

*the, not they...

LizzyA123 · 12/06/2020 01:23

If your children aren’t using it at the moment, could you lend it to the neighbours for a while to use in their own garden, with the caveat that it is their responsibility to maintain it and ensure it is safe for their children to use.

famousforwrongreason · 12/06/2020 01:26

My neighbours kids came into our back garden and broke the trampoline. Sadly I couldn't do anything about it because their parents are horrible and it would have been hell for me.

Wolfgirrl · 12/06/2020 01:39

That's so cheeky! I wouldn't have dared do that as a kid Confused

Do they have their own garden? Could you sell it to the neighbour as your kids dont use it?

You could say you're looking to sell it anyway but wanted to give them first dibs as their kids love it.

interest12 · 12/06/2020 02:12

just let them use it - some people are so miserable

MrMeSeeks · 12/06/2020 02:22

just let them use it - some people are so miserable

No some people are cf’s!
Why should op do that?? Why should the neighbour allow their kids to go into the op’s garden without asking onto equipment, unsupervised at a young age at a risk of being hurt?
It’s not miserable at all!
I wouldn't allow someone randomly coming into my garden either!
That’s just rude and being taken advantage of!
If the kids are hurt whilst being unsupervised then it will be op they come after.

biglouis · 12/06/2020 02:25

Since I moved into this area I keep my gate padlocked. I dont want random people coming into my garden knocking at my kitchen door and offering to do my drive or fix my roof. On one occasion a nosy neighbour said "I know its none of my business but why do you padlock your gate?" I told here "You are quite right its none of your business but I do it to keep nosy people out of my garden".

Canuckduck · 12/06/2020 02:53

I would lock the gate and have a word with the children and their parents. It’s not safe for children that age to play unsupervised.

We have similar aged children on our road who do the same. Last year we found one of them had snuck into our car (SUV) after seeing a toy in the window. My husband was driving off and her head popped up! We were allowing some social distance playing (on bikes etc) again this year and I found that again they were trying to come inside, touching toys etc and we had to put a stop to it.

Wingedharpy · 12/06/2020 03:23

You do realise OP, if you tell your neighbours to watch their kids while they play on your trampoline, not only will you have the kids in your garden, but you'll have the neighbours too.

Don't be surprised if you open your door and find them all in your garden sitting on deck chairs, firing up the barbecue and sipping pina colada while they "watch" the kids.