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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Caught neighbours using my garden

812 replies

Weird21 · 26/07/2021 23:58

I have a block of flats next to my house and I thought for a while things have been moved in my garden and it seemed a bit weird. I’ve got a lock on the gate and it’s always locked. So over the weekend I’ve installed a small out door camera under my guttering which records the whole back garden.

So I’ve come home tonight after work (I work the late shift) and found two cigarette butts on the path by my seating area. So I checked the camera and the neighbors have climbed my wall and been sitting in my garden from 2pm until 8pm using my seating and table. To say I’m annoyed is an understatement but how to I confront them as they aren’t the friendliest of people at the best of times. So I guess they’ve been doing this since the nice weather began.

Unfortunately it’s not difficult to see i’m out as I have to drive to work and so once my cars not there they obviously know I’m out.

I just don’t know how to approach this as I’m a single woman and just concerned it’ll escalate but I can’t allow this what would you all do? I thought maybe a note through their door asking them to not use it anymore. They haven’t seen the camera but now I wonder how long it’s been going on.

OP posts:
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8
bjrce · 27/07/2021 08:17

My sister ( lives alone) has a camera fitted at her front door - it is linked to her mobile phone and Alexa. ( wasn't that expensive)

She had a friend over to lay a patio in the front area, she was able to link into her camera through her mobile phone and spoke to him through the phone, all he heard was this voice speaking out to him, he got the shock of his life, she explained she was on the mobile phone and the camera is fitted at the door. It was very funny, he's a good friend!

This would be very effective for your unwanted guests, scare the life out of them.

LivingLaVidaBabyShower · 27/07/2021 08:19

@sergeilavrov

Spikes on the top of the fence, or anti climb paint. Report the trespass to the police.

They sound like scum.

This

Start growing that stuff that is thorny with red/orange berries on it next to the wall.

Scummers.

I also love the idea of watching them on cctv and phoning the police and think you should do this and then put the anti climb paint it.

CakeandGo · 27/07/2021 08:20

@Bluntness100

I’d also do the call the police as there are intruders in the garden ans act ignorant of wh they are.
This is what I would do too. I wouldn’t make any changes to the outside area, especially if you are worried about repercussions. Play dumb. You thought they were burglars.
GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 27/07/2021 08:21

@GnomeDePlume

Longer term solution would be to put pyracantha under the fence. Common name is firethorn which tells you what you need to know! As a bonus it has pretty red or yellow berries.
That was my first thought. It has lovely white blossom in the spring, and feeds the birds all winter.

And it is fucking evil. It looks lovely, but the scratches have a great knack of getting infected.

But in the meantime, phone the HA as PP have suggested. They probably have other issues with these particular tenants - CF-ery is rarely a one-off.

Muma1992 · 27/07/2021 08:22

@bjrce

My sister ( lives alone) has a camera fitted at her front door - it is linked to her mobile phone and Alexa. ( wasn't that expensive)

She had a friend over to lay a patio in the front area, she was able to link into her camera through her mobile phone and spoke to him through the phone, all he heard was this voice speaking out to him, he got the shock of his life, she explained she was on the mobile phone and the camera is fitted at the door. It was very funny, he's a good friend!

This would be very effective for your unwanted guests, scare the life out of them.

This wouldn't be effective. This wouldn't 'scare the life out of them', they are not children. The OP should take appropriate action by calling the police as someone has accessed her property uninvited. It isn't a game.
HeronLanyon · 27/07/2021 08:24

Where o am I would log this with my ‘safer neighbourhood team’ (or whatever it is now called) police. At the same time I’d ask them for advice/help. I’d want them to visit the neighbours to bring this to an end. Keep camera and keep a log. It is trespass and additionally is making you feel insecure in your own garden/flat. I can’t believe the brass neck of these tossers!

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 27/07/2021 08:24

Ah, just saw your post about them being the nightmare family. Just keep on complaining. Any police-worthy complaints, go to the police.

userxx · 27/07/2021 08:25

Some people have more front than Blackpool.

HappyDays40 · 27/07/2021 08:26

Slip vandal grease on the walland fence?

Scautish · 27/07/2021 08:27

@Muma1992

So much bad advice on this thread.

Someone has broken into your property. You are a single woman living alone. Next time they are there, call the police and say that someone has broken into your property at the back, it doesn't matter who they are.

Also, do call the HA and say there are police involved.

Totally agree - some people treat MN as some kind of sitcom and are just desperate for drama without considering the OP and the impact of their suggestions
  • don’t leave a note
  • don’t confront them on your own
  • don’t leave anything that could hurt them (you’d be liable)
  • don’t antagonise them as I suspect this would end up worse for you
  • do make it really obvious you have a camera
  • do make it easier for them to inadvertently cause criminal damage (eg the trellis on fence suggestion)
  • can you padlock the table-chairs so they can’t be pulled out and used?
  • can you get a timed sprinkler? A quick look on Amazon suggests that may be possible.

I suspect these are people who would love a confrontation so be very careful.

DogInATent · 27/07/2021 08:30

Lots of terrible advice here.

Spikes, broken glass, breakable-tables, anti-climb paint. Anything that's done to cause harm (broken glass, breakable table) is illegal, the paint and spikes are only legal if you have access to post warning signs visible from the other side of the fence.

Get stills/video of them trespassing. Contact the HA to make a complaint about their tenant and give them the evidence. Give them the complaint in writing with a short deadline (a couple of weeks). If the HA doesn't resolve it involve the local ASB team, your local councilor, and your local MP.

Have you got a couple of friends that could come round (without a car) the night before that could be still in the house when you go out to work the following day? Sometimes being caught out and challenged is enough to make them realise they're not getting away with it.

Cuddlyrottweiler · 27/07/2021 08:31

If they're that type of family then they won't give a shit about the police. You just need to make your garden secure as quietly as possible. You don't want them to take offence. If they're bringing something then they'll bring a towel for anticlimb paint. I'd plant a tonne of high brambles all along the wall and maybe even barbed wire on the gate. They don't care if it breaks. It's not theirs remember.

Hotcuppatea · 27/07/2021 08:31

Report to the housing association along with your footage.

Cuddlyrottweiler · 27/07/2021 08:32

In fact. Someone else's idea of taking pictures every single day and complaining to the HA is a good one. Get them evicted and it's problem solved.

DancesWithTortoises · 27/07/2021 08:33

If reporting to the police as intruders doesn't stop them then bamboo in pots against the fence and anti climb paint is the way to go.

crowsfeet57 · 27/07/2021 08:36

Phone the HA. Explain you have screenshots of them in your garden but say you fear repercussions if they find out you’ve reported them. Ask their advice

The HA won't give advice, you can either log a complaint about ASB or not. They won't tell them who complained but unless they are breaking into multiple gardens they won't need to. Be aware they will ignore a single report of ASB you will need to be very clear that you are reporting multiple instances. You will also need to send them a weekly update to make sure they take action.

kierenthecommunity · 27/07/2021 08:36

Please do the sprinkler thing 😂

It’s true police can’t do anything for trespass but they could look at it from the anti social behaviour aspect.

Then report to the HA with the log number - they’ll probably be more responsive to the threat of losing their home than the police in any case

MydogWillow · 27/07/2021 08:36

CF's!

Love some of the suggestions. Removing the ladder is great Grin but would advise caution.

I would go down the subtle route so there are no repercussions.

I assume they know you're a lone female? Can you have a fake (male) visitor? Some beer bottles left on the table, curtains drawn, light on and radio on? They won't stick around if they thought someone was in the house. And possibly make them think twice next time?

diddl · 27/07/2021 08:37

It's not just cheeky it's intimidating & stalkery I would say!

I think the idea of calling the police to report intruders is a good one.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 27/07/2021 08:39

The idea that the police will attend for garden trespass with no damage etc, no forced entry, is laughable. They are incredibly busy.

People like these are unlikely to respond to the knowledge that the police have been contacted, or care if they get sent a warning letter or the like. OPs best shot at actually getting them out of her garden is a physical deterrent - a security guard who can safely scare them off, anti slip paint, spikes on top of fence, spiky bushes etc.

Sorry for the comments re chucking eggs & employing a dog... I was (clearly) being a bit flippant. Although actually many people use pet dogs partly to guard their homes!

RVN123 · 27/07/2021 08:40

Agreed with the above.
Having visions of the OP sitting on her syrup and chilli powder covered seats with no cushions, being soaked by her sprinkler.

The only thing to do is let them know YOU know what they are doing, and if it continues you will involve the HA and the police.
You need to be careful OP, I know from experience what living next to anti social arseholes is like and how much it can impact your life if it escalates. Not to mention that if you ever sell your house you will be obliged to disclose previous neighbour disputes which might affect the sale (not sure if you own your home).
They are indeed total scum, no one in their right mind with an ounce of decency would do this so it shows exactly what you are dealing with.

crazycatgal · 27/07/2021 08:41

I would put spikes on the fence and anti climb paint.

I also have a ring floodlight camera. You might want to get one of those because It has a siren on it that you can set off yourself at any point. It might scare them away if they think they've tripped an alarm.

JudgeJ · 27/07/2021 08:42

@AtomicBronde

Mind blown!

Can’t believe the CFkers!

Difficult as they obviously don’t give a shit that you’ll find out.

I find it more shocking, but not surprising, that all the rules are on the side of the intruders, they can't be filmed or upset by nasty dogs etc. in case they are upset! The law should surely allow a home owner/renter to take all precautions to prevent potential burglaries, if they're there that's what they are.
Dancingqueens · 27/07/2021 08:44

Tread carefully OP - use legal and safe methods. Might take longer - but less repercussions for you.

FunMcCool · 27/07/2021 08:47

Can you get a ring camera set up so your phone gets a notification when there is movement in your harden and then call the police and say you’ve seen intruders in your garden?