Neighbour dispute, what are my rights in my own garden?

[SarahH13]

Can anyone give me some advice on what rights you have in your own garden and how to deal with complaining neighbours? I’ve lived in my semi detached cottage for 16 years and have a lovely garden. I’ve recently moved my patio to a secluded corner next to the adjoining neighbours fence. Is my boundary and a high fence. My neighbours tried to stop it being built, saying they didn’t want us sitting near their garden, that they could hear us talking. It’s only a few feet closer than my lawn and old patio. We have had weeks of them watching us out of their upstairs window or peering through a gap in the fence. It’s such an invasion of privacy and very uncomfortable to feel constantly watched. They now keep phoning or calling over the fence, complaining about small petty things, the latest being that they didn’t like the colour of our garden umbrella. Red. Asked us to take it down as it was visible to them if they looked over the fence. Sounds really pathetic but I am upset and scared to enjoy my garden. Just waiting for the next complaint or rude nasty phone call. We are a quiet family, two teenagers who are well behaved. We enjoy eating outside and chatting, like most people. The neighbours are in their seventies and been here the full time we have. Any advice on how to deal with it? Has anyone else had a similar issue? Thanks

Just say "no". They're being ridiculous!

Block their phone number and get screening around your fencing. Next time they make a rude comment tell them your garden is none of their concern (or fuck off if you prefer) then ignore them and go about your daily life. Some people are just purveyors of misery.

They sound bonkers!
Just don’t get into any debate with them and don’t answer the phone if you know it’s them calling.

I agree, just say No and hope they'll get bored soon.

They are out of order, but getting old and probably paranoid. I'd persistently ignore them and if they say anything about the red parasol just tell them they have NO RIGHT to tell you what colour your parasol ought to be. Firm but friendly. Don't be scared of them - they don't really sound scary, we're not talking about a six and a half foot bloke with a herd of Rottweilers, are we?

Ignore. Do not answer their calls.
They're being utterly ridiculous and unreasonable.
You can have whatever colour umbrella you like and sit wherever you like.

People like that just have too much time on their hands, so end up meddling in other people's business. As others have said just say no. Perhaps tell them it's your garden and none of their concern

Could you dress up for your dinners, theme nights including music? Naked sunbathing. Give them something to watch/talk about? It's your garden you can do what you like!

Exactly what custardbear just said.

They are totally wrong - just ignore them.
There is a whole lot of things my neighbours do that infuriate me. But it is not my place to tell them how to live their lives, so as I can't afford to move I put up with it.
That's the only choice you have with neighbours, put up with it or move.

Have you spoken to them directly about this?

I would say, calmly and politely, that whilst you will always try to be considerate neighbours, you have noticed that they are objecting to things that really are not their business and you have a right to enjoy your garden and talk normally at reasonable timed of day anywhere in your garden.

Ask if they are worried that the new patio area is the basis of planned big BBQs and parties, or is it other worries that they have?

Advise them that if they think there is a serious any social noise problem they can always ask the council to address it. But otherwise it might be best if you all adopt a bit of ‘live and let live’.

Call their bluff, tackle them head on.

Have they been difficult the entire 16 years or just a very recent thing? Could be dementia.

Your garden, your choice of design & colours! As long as you are not interfering with their boundary or the loud after hours partying neighbours, then they have no cause to complain. It won't stop them by the sounds of it ....but pay no heed, politely explain once & leave it at that, no answering endless calls...

They sound batshit - complaining about the colour of your umbrella?!

Ignore, or just say that you understand they don't like it, but it's your garden and you'll be keeping things how you like them, as they are free to do with their own.

I agree, totally batshit.
We had neighbours like this, constant nitpicking and expecting us to consult them about everything.
One day I’d had enough and just snapped, told them we weren’t going to be asking their permission for every change we made or if we wanted to prune/move shrubs (yes really)

They stopped speaking to us and it’s been absolute bliss! I didn’t realise how much I was treading on eggshells in my own home.

We tried to be considerate and they blew it by overstepping the mark. Give some people and inch and they’ll take a mile.

Block their number and politely say no when they name ridiculous requests. If they continue and intimidate send them a letter outlining its your garden and their unreasonable demands are constituting harassment which are stopping you from peaceful enjoyment of your garden. Finally (only if needed) get a solicitor to send a cease and desist letter.

Start logging all this stuff in a diary. They sound like the sort of people who will escalate their ridiculousness.

Also, next time they say something ridiculous like what colour umbrella you're permitted in your own garden just say that in future you won't be engaging with them when they interfere with your private garden and then be polite when they're reasonable and totally blank them when they're not.

Get some screening and block their number. This is a huge overstep by them.

Sometimes - and I am not really advocating this because it is not nice - you need to slightly put the wind up them so they think hard about having these conversations with you.

So eventually you respond with ‘mind your own business, as we do. We say nothing about your twee gnomes, or your naff curtains, or your embarrassingly poor conversational skills, so show us the same respect and butt out.’ It stings them (and is not nice) but sometimes you really need to assert your own space.

I think if you tell them that they are 'harassing you' (spying, phoning) and you could take it to the police they don't stop.
Start to keep a log of it all though and tell them you have / are doing so. Take photos.
I doubt v much the police will do anything but you could least request them to make a phone call.

I'd ignore then tell them you will complain about harassment if they keep doing it

Asked us to take it down as it was visible to them if they looked over the fence.

Tell them they shouldn't be looking over your fence.

They are batshit. Block and ignore. Tell them you are keeping a record of their "harassment".

@Psychoseverywhere

Block their phone number and get screening around your fencing. Next time they make a rude comment tell them your garden is none of their concern (or fuck off if you prefer) then ignore them and go about your daily life. Some people are just purveyors of misery.

Couldn't have put it better, although I might have gone with the fuck off option only.

Be careful of getting into an 'official' dispute with them because it's something that you have to declare when selling up.
Just grey-rock them.

You