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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour seems to think he has the right to jump our fence

337 replies

Twatforaneighbour · 22/11/2021 20:24

We moved in about 3 years ago and put up a fence on top of an existing low height wall (which we own) across the front of our front garden which has a footpath the other side. We got planning to do this.

One of our neighbours had an issue with this, because his adult son (early 20s) liked to walk across our front garden and hop over our wall to save him from walking around. He put in a complaint when we went for planning saying that if the fence went up, we would need to make it safe as his son would be climbing over! The council made no comment on this.

This has made it inconvenient for him as it adds 5 mins walking time to walk down the road and up the public footpath. Since the fence went up, we clarified with the neighbour (the dad) that this was our property and our fence/wall, to make 100% sure there was no misunderstanding with who owns what, which he agreed.

We have now got video from our ring doorbell of "someone" walking across our garden and jumping the fence. It is unlikely to be anyone else as we are at the end if a small road.

What would you do? Trespassing is not a criminal offence. So far we cannot for sure identify the person as it was at night and not a great image.

They obviously see no issue with doing it so speaking to them wont help, Considered anti climb spikes but have seen you can be liable if trespasser gets injured on your property.
WIBU to get spikes if I put a warning with it?
Any suggestions? If he keeps doing it, it will end in damage to the fence and probably us paying for it Angry

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
ginexplorer · 25/11/2021 18:52

I really hate these type of situations when one person ( the twat adult entitled fence jumper) is clearly in the wrong but the other person who isn’t ends up feeling like they are in the wrong? I must come from another planet/ generation as I just would think it so rude to do this and I would be horrified if my children did this at any age. Wtf is wrong with people? Is there really so little respect?
It’s the assumption that it’s ok and should and still continues that drives me nuts. I’m normally a non confrontational and polite person but for this - I’d stand outside and when they approach I’d firmly tell them a direct no and to take the path in future please. If they disobeyed again I’d call the police saying you have a trespasser. You shouldn’t have to grow a ton of spikes plants in your garden. He just shouldn’t do it! Your neighbours should be ashamed

Mummabear277 · 25/11/2021 20:14

I was going to say this too

Mummabear277 · 25/11/2021 20:14

Definitely get sprinklers

Mostlylurkingiam · 25/11/2021 20:19

Why did you put up the fence? People are so weird about not letting anyone else walk across a bit of front garden, does it really matter?!

Mummabear277 · 25/11/2021 20:36

It is their garden, why should they have to allow people to walk through it?

Billybagpuss · 25/11/2021 20:41

@Mostlylurkingiam

Why did you put up the fence? People are so weird about not letting anyone else walk across a bit of front garden, does it really matter?!
It’s not the front garden it’s right through their back garden.
ginexplorer · 25/11/2021 22:16

Just read the OP original post again. It says the council made no comment on the adult jumping over the fence. Perhaps you should write in and ask them to clarify their position? Why should they remain silent? I nearly wrote that not commenting could appear to be ‘sitting on the fence’ haha sorry couldn't resist the Dad joke lol! However in seriousness, it may not be a council matter but I would expect them to advise on that at least. I completely understand no one wants a neighbour dispute but why should it be you that does the appeasing ? They are clearly in the wrong and need to accept responsibility. Natural consequences with prickly hedges and a form conversation with the ‘Young man who is in his 20’s and therefore an adult now so grow the heck up and be mature about stuff’.

Claire2313 · 25/11/2021 22:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Claire2313 · 25/11/2021 22:31

Wrong thread !, can I delete??

Werehamster · 25/11/2021 22:40

@Claire2313

Wrong thread !, can I delete??
If you report your post. MNHQ will delete it for you.
Claire2313 · 25/11/2021 22:48

Thanks Werehamster, much appreciated!

Bonniegirlie · 25/11/2021 22:49

What about smearing some beef dripping on top of the fence, with some bird seed pressed into it. So you're just feeding the birds........

dontwannasaymyjob · 26/11/2021 00:20

I wish PPs would RTFH before commenting
It's very annoying when it has all answered yonks ago and more thoroughly - so much idiocy since

So no @Mostlylurkingiam
Way off FGS please RTFT

And kindly meant/ but no @ginexplorer - the council has no place here in commenting even if you think they ought

Op can plant spikey trailer plants which is what police advise ppl do. And it all has been answered so much better earlier on if PPs actually RTFT!!!

Sheesh

I'm sure OP will RTFT!

lightisnotwhite · 26/11/2021 06:55

I wish the Op answered how they get onto the footpath.

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 26/11/2021 07:05

Put a gate in so he can nip through with dignity

Eeyoresideyestigger · 26/11/2021 08:25

@lightisnotwhite

I wish the Op answered how they get onto the footpath.
They did Just RTFT
Original poster
Twatforaneighbour · 26/11/2021 08:27

@lightisnotwhite

I wish the Op answered how they get onto the footpath.
Sorry I missed this earlier, the footpath tarmac ends and theres a clear line of "kerb" and a different height so you can see it finishes. The neighbours fence kind of sticks out so its very clear it ends there.
OP posts:
ColdCottage · 26/11/2021 09:43

How about hanging baskets along the top of the fence

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 26/11/2021 12:17

@Mostlylurkingiam

Why did you put up the fence? People are so weird about not letting anyone else walk across a bit of front garden, does it really matter?!
No, some people are weird about being lazy fuckers who think they have a right to cut across someone else's property to save them a few minutes.

OP has said she wants flowers and this twat will trample them.

Regardless - it's her garden and she can do what she likes with it. It's not weird to want privacy and not want strangers walking across your garden. ShockHmm

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 26/11/2021 12:24

Why did you put up the fence? People are so weird about not letting anyone else walk across a bit of front garden, does it really matter?!

When I did it it was because I didn't want lazy sods churning up my lawn and trampling mud down the path.

IntermittentParps · 26/11/2021 12:48

@Mostlylurkingiam

Why did you put up the fence? People are so weird about not letting anyone else walk across a bit of front garden, does it really matter?!
She says 'We also did it because you could see everyone walking back and forth the other side of the wall, looking directly into our lounge. Its much less exposed now'

Maybe you didn't read or comprehend that bit.

Mommybean · 27/11/2021 00:26

That's face it he isn't a child, we are talking about an adult (20) that should no better. Love the idea of the motion sensor splinkers but you, friends, family and post man will probbley get wet too. There are some really nice looking Holly bushes and thorn bushes that flower. You can order them in differant sizes, so you don't need to wait for them to grow. Of course the bigger the more money they cost but insident effect. Remember whatever you do, stay on the right side of the law (warning sign-spikes) private property sign (action will be taken if ignored) use your camera for evidence. If he does it again after putting up warning signs, then write him a letter, with a photo of him jumping your fence and say this has to stop or legal action will be taken. Then if he does it again then you will have to fellow through on your threat. It gives him a chance to stop and understand you mean business. Hope you get the problem sorted out.

Neighbour seems to think he has the right to jump our fence
Neighbour seems to think he has the right to jump our fence
Headinthecloudsfeetinthemud · 27/11/2021 17:48

Cheeky fkr! I have similar neighbour who, as a young man, should have been taught how not to be a twat. In the first instance this young man (grown adult) needs speaking to directly and told not to climb your fence.

Sammyclaire22 · 27/11/2021 19:43

As others have said, anti climb paint and put the warning signs on the pedestrian side, not your own. Doesn't matter that he can't see them exiting your garden as if he tried to claim you can say he was trespassing. Anyone approaching your fence from the public side has a clear view of the warnings.
And if he does jump it and trample your plants, send the bill to the neighbours with stills of the cctv.

Happyher · 27/11/2021 20:16

@BlankTimes

If someone always walks the same route across your land unchallenged, eventually they will establish a pedestrian right of way over it.

You don't want this to happen as it could cause problems when you sell.

This takes 12 years to establish a right and can be prevented by hand delivering a letter making it clear he does not have permission to cross your property. You need to keep a copy of the letter with the date it was hand delivered. You can back this up with a signed for delivery but keep record of all contact As long as it is clear you have not conferred permission for him to access your property he can’t claim a right to cross it
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