AIBU to feel uneasy that neighbours went into my garden?

[Magpiesinthegarden]

My next door neighbours have had rats in their garden and informed me to not put any rubbish bags out my garden and keep the garden clear. I purchased a wheelie bin for the black bags (only the usual amount) and all recycling was collected apart from 2 sealed bags of cardboard and a few garden bags with grass in. I’ve been unwell and haven’t managed to move them. I’ve just been into the garden and the bags were gone and were put into my wheelie bin (outside my house) and the garden bags were tied up.

AIBU to feel a bit weird that they’ve been in my garden?

I would be thankful and think this was very considerate of them.

I would thank them. We all need caring neighbours.

I understand the slight weird feeling, but if this is the only time they've done this I'd view it as caring not interfering.

If there's any genuine interference from them in the past, that might change my answer!

What's the problem?

That they’ve been on to her property without asking. If they wanted to be helpful, they could’ve asked if she would like them to do that for her.

They're being considerate and caring.

How did they access your property? If anyone can walk into your back garden maybe you need better security if it bothers you?

They didn’t consider or care whether she’d be comfortable with them accessing her property without permission. Otherwise, they would’ve asked.

My back gate is kept locked so they must have reached over to unlock it to get in.

They did you a favour! If they’ve had rats and have successfully cleared their food source, guess where the rats will be coming next?

We’ve had rats before (our garden backs onto farmland) and it really isn’t much fun.

They should have text you. I position the bolt in the middle of the gate so no one can reach over.

Depends really: would rats in your garden make you feel more or less uneasy?

For goodness sake, they were being helpful and neighbourly.

They don’t want bloody rats after they’ve managed to get rid of them. Put your rubbish away!

Do you mean just bolted? So anyone could get into garden…

Wow, I’m surprised so many posters think this was acceptable. I completely disagree. If they truly wanted to be helpful, as some people are suggesting, they would have spoken to you first and asked whether it was okay for them to enter your garden.

So I was off sick from work and I did have someone knocking at my door a few times but I felt rough and I didn’t want to answer. I wouldn’t have minded if they had put a note though my letter box 📪

So not locked then….

sounds like they are doing you a favour and sound like good neighbours…!

Accept it as a kind gesture, one which is designed to keep the rats at bay for both your gardens. I think they could have texted you to tell you they were going to do it, or that they had done it, but it doesn't matter, they didn't have any bad intentions. Keep those good neighbours onside, you cannot buy them. And thank them for doing it.

I live in a flat in the bottom half of a house. The upstairs flat garden HAS to give access to the rear of the ground floor flat.

Good job half out street don't stress about a neighbor in their garden lol

Bolted on the other side - so you would have to reach over and unlock it.

Yeah, it’s pretty much unsecured. I would just be glad you had garden visitors who wanted to do a nice thing for you. You might not be so lucky next time.

I wouldn't be happy with anyone letting themselves into my back garden, that's my private property. Some might see it as kindness, I see it as intrusive. Get a padlock for your back gate OP.

Our next door neighbour has right of access across our back path. Her house turns into an reverse L shape next to hers. I've been up her path to her actual garden tonight removing bindweed, I'm tempted to ask if I can do her garden too. I'd also LOVE to go clear the garden behind of the bastarding dandelions and willowherb.... Maybe I can sneak in...

I don't want bindweed in my garden as much as your neighbours don't want rats back in theirs. Actually I think I'd prefer rats.

For goodness sake, helpful and neighbourly people ask permission before accessing people’s private property.