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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
AdobeWanKenobi · 23/11/2021 10:45

Those suggesting adding a gate further down the drive, do you not think if this guy has the brass neck to jump the fence he wont jump the gate as well?
😂
As for carpet gripper, I promise you that one wont end well legally should he be injured.

The best bet is proactive planting of spiky, fast growing bushes and see if you have a local PCSO to step in for you and speak to them.

Santaischeckinglists · 23/11/2021 11:00

Big Bush.

Big parka.

And a loud speaker.
Ho fuck face - get off my garden....
Job done.

DaisyNGO · 23/11/2021 11:16

@whitehorsesdonotlie

What a CF!! Amazing.

Could you climb his back fence and wander about in his back garden, see how he likes it?

Or do you have a gate that you could install over your front drive so he can't get into your garden?

That's a good idea.

I am baffled that trespass isn't a criminal offence.

DaisyNGO · 23/11/2021 11:16

That's a good idea.

I am baffled that trespass isn't a criminal offence.

IamwhoIsayIam · 23/11/2021 11:27

@Cattenberg - you sound like you live in a lovely place where your neighbours are considerate and helpful toward each other.
Our back gardens are also unfenced and people frequently mow each other's lawns or put out each others bins.
My garden is the 'short cut' before I moved in I thought of ways to block it off and make people walk round but now I realise the benefit of being communal with our neighbours.
I guess we are very lucky!

2bazookas · 23/11/2021 11:27

You want some anti-climb paint. It never sets so will make a mess on the hands and trousers of anyone who touches it.

ElftonWednesday · 23/11/2021 11:37

Trespassing isn't a criminal offence, but it is actionable in the civil courts.

As you've already told them not to do it verbally, the next step is to write a legal letter, or ask a solicitor to, and push it through their door, saying that you reserve your right to take further legal action to obtain and injunction or recover damages if they persist. Even if you have no intention of taking it further, it may just focus their minds enough to stop them.

Original poster
Twatforaneighbour · 23/11/2021 12:21

Thanks for all the great suggestions, some answers to the questions:

Its strange, Ive not seen him coming over from the footpath into our garden much, more from ours over to the footpath. Maybe because he can check we're not out there first that way around.

We could put a gate across the drive but it would make it really awkward to get our cars in and out and I think he'd climb it anyway.

I'd like to put some form of spikes across the top of the fence or the anti climb paint but I had a quick google and you can be liable if trespassers get hurt or their clothes damaged (unbelievably!). Apparently you need very visible warning signs or they can sue you. The family are so entitled, they probably would too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Twatforaneighbour · 23/11/2021 12:29

The son is around 19 or 20ish so an adult, he jumps by getting his foot into the wall then levering himself over.

We've knocked and asked the dad who answered if we could speak to the son or if he could ask him to stop jumping as it will cause damage and just got a very vague nod and grunt.

I do wonder where we'd stand with cat spikes as they're not as lethal as some of the anti burglary spikes and are technically aimed at cats so may not need warning signs?? It would definitely make it harder to pull himself over.

In the meantime, I'll do the wet garden trench idea, I like that I can still grow things there and its good for the wildlife!

OP posts:
Original poster
Twatforaneighbour · 23/11/2021 12:29

@Santaischeckinglists

Big Bush.

Big parka.

And a loud speaker.
Ho fuck face - get off my garden....
Job done.

Love this!
OP posts:
ElephantOfRisk · 23/11/2021 12:30

It's a minefield OP, I think you are probably best sticking with things that one could reasonably expect to find along a fence/in a garden. So hanging baskets, wind chimes, maybe some bird feeders and since it's nearly christmas, strings of bells along the inside of the fence. And jaggy shrubs, wet mud, a rockery, a tree or whatever planted below.

ElephantOfRisk · 23/11/2021 12:33

The son is around 19 or 20ish so an adult, he jumps by getting his foot into the wall then levering himself over.

In order to do that does he need to get his toe under any gap on the fence or is the remaining bit of wall still wide enough for him to get his foot on? If the former find some way on closing off the gap so he can't get a decent toehold.

Just to add, I have boys aged 20 and 21 and doing this wouldn't even occur to them. You just walk round. This should have been stamped on when the lad was a kid by his parents.

ElephantOfRisk · 23/11/2021 12:35

Cat spikes plus bird feeders would be a reasonable combination as you are clearly keeping cats from your feeders? A bit like keeping a ball beside a bate next to your bed. It gives legitimacy (not that should need to in your case)

FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack · 23/11/2021 12:41

I like the snake pit suggestion best but a wet pit is probably a good alternative Grin

One of my neighbours used to have solar powered movement activated Santas whose eyes lit up and they danced. Creepy and terrifying when you're walking home in the dark minding your own business. If they still sell them, put a row of them on the fence Grin

Lindy2 · 23/11/2021 12:47

I'd go for defensive planting - ie a selection of quite spiky plants that can't be climbed over. The Police actually recommend defensive planting for fences that can be climbed over.

If he fears spiked it's an accident caused by him being where he shouldn't. You've just been gardening after all, so a lot more subtle than spikes or anti climb paint, but still very effective.

MMAMPWGHAP · 23/11/2021 12:56

Trench then put all your kitchen compost in it. You are preparing to grow runner beans. Actually you could put up the bamboo framework for them too as that would block his route to the wall.

MissConductUS · 23/11/2021 13:13

I'm still voting for the Ring floodlight camera. When the lights come on he'll know he's being recorded, which will be a deterrent, and you'll have proof. I like ours for other reasons too. I can check from work if I've had a delivery and see where the driver left it. They're a good deterrent for trespassing in general.

RandomMess · 23/11/2021 13:16

A piece of cheap stretchy trellis just peeling higher than the fence would stop him being able to grip it also covering the gap between the brick and the fence so he can't get a foothold?

Not spikes so can't be in trouble for it.

Plus the water trench hopefully he'll step in it and get a wet muddy foot and traipse it over their floors.!

ElephantOfRisk · 23/11/2021 13:22

@RandomMess

A piece of cheap stretchy trellis just peeling higher than the fence would stop him being able to grip it also covering the gap between the brick and the fence so he can't get a foothold?

Not spikes so can't be in trouble for it.

Plus the water trench hopefully he'll step in it and get a wet muddy foot and traipse it over their floors.!

that's a good idea with the trellis, doesn't need to really increase the height of your fence which you've said you aren't allowed to, it just needs to stick up an extra inch maybe and just make it harder to get a grip, I'd definitely be planking along the bottom of the fence on the outside - just a piece of fence board horizontally along the bottom - I mean you don't want members of the public potentially getting scratched if your jaggy bushes sneak through the gap do you?
Lochroy · 23/11/2021 13:44

WTAF? So he's not just climbing through over your fence but going through your garden to do so? I think the pit of wet manure is an excellent idea, accompanied by the loudhailer 'we're watching you'.

DaisyNGO · 23/11/2021 13:46

Is there one spot he uses for a foothold?

I'd be so tempted to just mix treacle and mud and pop it in that one spot.

Chasingaftermidnight · 23/11/2021 14:12

I can’t believe that he doesn’t just hop over his own fence or that they haven’t put a gate in their back fence to allow them access directly onto the footpath! How cheeky can you be?!

Estraya · 23/11/2021 14:20

amazon link

You can add this to the top of your fence. It's enough to be painful but won't cause actual injury so it's legal.

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 23/11/2021 15:12

@ElephantOfRisk

The son is around 19 or 20ish so an adult, he jumps by getting his foot into the wall then levering himself over.

In order to do that does he need to get his toe under any gap on the fence or is the remaining bit of wall still wide enough for him to get his foot on? If the former find some way on closing off the gap so he can't get a decent toehold.

Just to add, I have boys aged 20 and 21 and doing this wouldn't even occur to them. You just walk round. This should have been stamped on when the lad was a kid by his parents.

Oh yes - some of the triangular stuff you put on the back of fences if you're building them from scratch, angled so the longer slope falls away from the fence and one of the shorter sides sits on top of the wall. Easy to install and would make it much harder for him. Arris rail it's called.
ApolloandDaphne · 23/11/2021 15:14

He is bloody cheeky.