Previous owners of house keep coming round to "visit"

[sparklerain]

Can someone tell me AIBU?

Some context is that we bought a house October 2023 it's in a small cul de sac off the Main Street there is 6 houses in the cul de sac and we are right at the bottom (or top) with the other houses forming round us (does that make sense)?

The neighbours have mainly spoke bar 1 house who snubs us since we've moved in (we don't know why) since the nice weather has come in they host BBQs every weekend and the previous owners of our house are around every time - they don't host them in their back garden though, they are sat out on the road right infront of our front window and we never get an invite. We've quite often seen the snubby house and previous owners of ours talking and pointing at out front garden etc as we have changed some of it and removed some old bushes. They sit so far out into the cul de sac we couldn't actually reverse off our driveway if we needed to be out.

Is there anything I can do or do I just have to accept it? I don't want to cause anymore of an atmosphere but I do think maybe speaking to one of the neighbours who is more polite about it might help? We feel intimidated in our home as we feel constantly watched by the ex owners. They're out playing music laughing shouting etc and don't seem to have a care in the world. I should also add they've large back gardens too so don't understand why they sit on the tarmac at the front as they've not grass etc out there

We don't have an annoying barking dog or loads of guests round constantly for them to be annoyed at us it's definitely more a case of "you've bought our friends house how dare you" when it was for sale we didn't force them out so we could buy it 🤣

Do they know they need permission to host parties on public roads? The public have a legal right to pass along a public highway, not to occupy it. Perhaps a polite request as to whether they have a permit will make them think again, otherwise contact your local council and report the ‘nuisance’. Doesn’t matter whether you come from Timbuktu you don’t have to put up with this anti-social behaviour

Not a road but a cul de sac.

Water sprinkler and a couple of your friends round with cars parked on the road outside then get the mower out and start cutting the grass a leav blower and maybe start washing the car. Nice pop up gazebo on the front lawn if your worried about em sticky beaking in your windows. People can be weird I moved over to England after living in Ireland for 12 years. And jeez there's feck all as queer as folk. The film that goes on your windows can stop people seeing in. Make a nice little sign for your front garden just a small one with for sale written on (in large letters)then underneath no it's not and your reading this so your trespassing now feck off. If all else fails you can complain to council about smoke tell them they have barbeques and you can't open your windows

It’s still regarded as the public highway. The laws aren’t different in a cul-de-sac. Gov.uk Permission to place tables and chairs on the pavement
Get a licence to place furniture on the pavement in England and Wales - how to apply, restrictions, fines, penalties

It appears to me that it’s something they have always done. Out the front because of children (maybe now grown) so easy access to their own houses. Old habits die hard. The old owners are invited as would have always been there before. You haven’t been included as you are not part of the original clique and the old owners may find it awkward. As for the snubbyness there will probably be some random difference, they have decided to take a dislike to. Or some ridiculous social slight you know nothing of that they have judged you for.

Sorry op but this sounds horrendous. I have lived twice lived on cul de sacs, I hated it both times.
I think it takes a certain type of person to enjoy living in a cul de sac - especially the gold fish bowl type where every house is facing each other. Unfortunately I don’t think there’s much you can do about it apart from move! Which for me personally I would be seriously considering, life is too short to be feeling intimidated and unwelcome in your own home.
Also I know you say the other neighbours are friendly, but if they joining in every single time with the snubby neighbours & excluding one family, I personally wouldn’t say they were that friendly at all.

My partner is a Fire Fighter. This is not only wasting their time, but also detracting from other more important calls. If it’s a community station -m which is retained staffed, you’re pulling people away from their day jobs and families. It’s a stupid nuisance call and completely ridiculous.

Stop giving shit advice.

I see from your plan that the house next to you is empty. When that house is occupied, that may change things as the bbq gatherings will also be blocking access to that property.

Ha, I’m from Northern Ireland, living in England 11years now, and my gosh, everyone thought I was a traveller!! Constantly getting followed around shops, rude customer service. I’m like wtf is going on. Until someone told me bluntly, everyone thinks you’re a gypsy. 🤣🤣 my granda actually was. But anyway, I ended up working in Tesco and boots, and most of the town got used to seeing me around and hearing my accent. But still makes me laugh when I think back how openly rude people were. I think my accent has mellowed now. But I had the same issue when looking for wedding venues.

Op, how did the summer go? Were you ever invited to a bbq?