To call the police if this happens one more time

[PlentyPlenty]

I am so sick of our fucking neighbours they just have absolutely no respect for anyone.

There have been a few issues but my biggest annoyance recently is that they and their friends just seem to think it's fine to use our driveway all the time. They have a front garden, we have a drive. They are separated by a fence but there is a gap at the top to get bins in and out of the back of the houses.

Their friends are always riding motorbikes up and down our drive, or even just pacing up and down it taking phone calls. I have gone out and asked several times that they don't do this because it sets off our dog and often wakes our baby from his naps either by the dog barking or the noise from the bikes.

They have just done it again and woken up the baby, so I went out, crying baby in my arms and asked them to stop (politely) and to use their friends front garden if they wanted to get their bike out.

I just received a load of abuse back and he continued off down my drive.

AIBU to think this is cheeky as fuck and to ring the police if I see one person from there step foot on my property again when they shouldn't be?

Nice diagram. They’re CF. Get yourself a brick wall/ extension of the fence.

From the diagram it looks like you could easily install a padlocked gate but if you did, do you think they would just access your drive from the front instead out of spite?

@beginningoftheend

Is ANY of the route they are using shared?

You need to fence off your private property.

But I would avoid calling police if you own as you may want to sell - this annoyance would make me think about moving.

The passageway between the houses is. Our driveway isn't and it's perfectly clear that it isn't. Honestly it isn't confusion, they know full well they are doing it.

My husband has been round before. They don't care.

Thanks, we have been talking about a gate for a while, it's just getting round to it. I've told DH it's getting done though now.

I’d be out sprinkling handfuls of nails across my drive if someone was riding a motorbike up and down it. (With a big magnet on standby to get them back up again)

That’s very cheeky, but unless you block that gap more securely they’re just going to keep doing it. If a gate is not possible/too expensive then what about a chain padlocked across?

@BeastOfBODMAS

I’d be out sprinkling handfuls of nails across my drive if someone was riding a motorbike up and down it. (With a big magnet on standby to get them back up again)

Dumb idea. They could still claim damages on your insurance.

Definitely install a gate with a massive padlock on the diagonal there.

How’s the on-street parking in your street? I’d be tempted to put the drive back to garden and fence it in if you’ll be sure to be able to park elsewhere.

There’s no doubt they’re doing it to get a rise out of you because they know it upsets you. So as far as you can, stop reacting to it in the moment. Even if it means having a photo of them printed on a cushion you can punch, over and over, when they try it on. Just don’t let them hear you scream.

Diagonal gate, problem solved!

And no reports as if you sell house you’d have to disclose it

Hope you got that cuppa and have managed to calm down a bit. It’s frustrating but not worth losing sleep over once you have a plan of action in place.

Would be funny if you started using their garden.

Gate and padlock so you can open when required

Yes you need a locked gate. I'd gate off the driveway too if you can afford it. Then they would have to scale the fence to use it which would clearly be a serious thing to do.

Great diagram. Sympathy op. Tossers!
Definitely get a fence with lockable gate to block off the top of your front garden.

@Handsoffstrikesagain

I’m not sure they could if they’re trespassing on private property could they creepy? Would anyone claim for a burst tyre?

Absolutely they can. They're not commiting an offence, they can claim damages.

Couple of big planters, you can then move them for the bins if a gate isn’t possible?

Yes I'd be installing a gate. YANBU at all, especially by that diagram.

Agree with others about putting a gate across that space, preferably one with a padlock, so you can still use it getting your bin out, but neighbours can’t?

@PlentyPlenty

Thanks, we have been talking about a gate for a while, it's just getting round to it. I've told DH it's getting done though now.

I agree they are being twats but you could have solved this with a gate, so get on with it and then see how things go.

You certainly can't call the bloody police out if you cba to fit a gate!

Gate, padlock, done.

Do they happen to rent? If so they will be in breach of tenancy almost certainly. Redress through landlord if so.

Large planter. Pyracantha ( prickly shrub)

Or even open trellis panel (harder for them to hop over/climb and keep your bins in front garden.

Phone someone to put the gate up asap at an angle between the house and fence.

Oh and fabulous diagram.