Gate that’s not a gate

[blingypoops]

AIBU? Come home from work and this once once small shared gate has been replaced by a sort of fence that’s not a fence, its just pieces of wood? it’s literally nailed shut and you can’t open it, only from the inside? The gap is where I’ve booted it. Would you be angry?

Say what?

More information needed really, you mentioned it cant be opened and then said it can be from the inside? Who changed the fence and who owns it? It looks like a fairly normal fence to me.

Who put it up? Were they entitled to do so?

So I’m assuming your neighbours put this up who you share the gate with. I can’t believe they did this and not told you?! Are they new?

So it’s liked a shared entry that leads to the back gardens, the neighbours have put it up while I’ve been at work. There’s no handle to get in, it’s all just boarding. You can open it from the other side (you access that from the back gardens) they have literally made it so nobody can get in from the front, only from the back, if you stick your hand in the gap I’ve made by kicking in a piece, you can reach the handle on the other side if that makes sense. They never spoke with me about it before hand.

Yes, they are new. Been in about a month

Is it unfinished and someone will be coming back to fix a handle and catch so it can be opened from both sides? What have you neighbours said about it? Did you know they were replacing it and what had they said it would be like?

ETA - you've answered me before I could finish typing!

Have you spoken to them this evening? They can't decide a one-way system must be used on shared access areas.

No that’s the finished article, I tried knocking on to ask what on earth but she wouldn’t come to the door, she sent her young daughter, I was not consulted.

Chances are it’s not finished I would of just asked them the plans for a handle on the outside
do you plan to repair the damage

Are you and neighbours tenants or owners. If owner check you deeds for rights of access and who’s responsible for which boundary. If a tenant contact your landlord

Not a gate...maybe unfinished .do they rent or own...see what happens tomorrow as might be unfinished. I'd certainly be using the right of access alot in the next few weeks...

The daughter said that’s how they wanted it, I have a gardener and window cleaner who both let themselves in through the back, how are they meant to get in?

And no, i would hardly class gaining access to my own property damage.

I think we need a diagram of where the gate is in relation to your property and theirs, and anyone else's property who might need to use it.

If it was me and it was blocking my right of way, I would take it down.

It’s literally down the side of each property and it leads to the back gardens so it’s 50/50 shared, behind the gate that’s not a gate is my back door one side and theirs the other

Have you checked your deeds to see who is responsible for the fence/boundary and what it says regarding right of access. Having this in advance of a conversation will back you up if they will come to talk to you.

So your neighbours have made it so no one can access any of your properties from the back, but you yourselves can use it to exit out of the back? I'm guessing they did it to make the back more secure by stopping anyone getting through the gate to the gardens. It won't do, of course. What they need if they want this security is a proper gate with a key and each resident has a key.

We have a similar entrance and I'd be fuming if this was put up. A proper gate that you can open easily, may be ok but not something that's effectively blocking access.

I’d lose my shit, but check the deeds first.
Do you have any photos of the previous arrangement?

Do you live alone? Some couples think they can walk all over solo women with impunity. Ask me how I know.

I have a similar entrance at my house. We have a shared alley between us. However I own half and they own half.

Have they attached one side to your house or property?

It’s all the way across so attached to my house and theirs, honestly I’m fuming

No I have a partner but he’s more calm than me 🤣

Talk about gall!!!

And the coward wouldn’t come to the door?

I would be similarly fuming and would probably do something very impulsive and unneighbourly. YANBU.