Neighbours creepy

[Pagi007]

Need some advice
My neighbors fence which borders our garden boundary blew down in the recent storm, when he replaced it he has secretly put in a gate in behind a bush, he told another neighbour about it and he came and told us he said to him " Between you and me I have put a gate in the fence so I can get in their garden anytime" he has previously never asked to enter our garden, but this is a step too far, can he do this, it is creepy to think he has done this and he has gone to great lengths to disguise it, this is causing me a great deal of anguish, hence I here writing for advice at 3.30am. Please can any offer any advice on my rights

[WinnerWinnerChickenDinner0]

Bloody hell. I’d be fuming

Don’t know the legalities about you locking the gate from your side

Do you know from the deeds of the fence is yours or his? Who paid to have it replaced?

[Kitchenbound]

The most rational advice I can think is just go talk to this guy. Say you've noticed the gate, ask why he had it put in and see what he says. And tell him he needs to pay to get rid of it. Have you ever had any trouble with him before?

[PinkAvocado]

Put a fence up on your side

[WatchingFromTheWings]

I'd put up a fence panel with a post either side on your side of his gate. Don't attach it to or put it against the gate so he can't say you've damaged anything. Leave a half inch gap perhaps.

I agree it's creepy!!

[cdtaylornats]

Glue it shut.

[Pagi007]

Hi, I personally haven't had any issue upto now but I do know he has been in other people's gardens and has taken over an elderly neighbours garden for his allotment, she is too scared to stop him, he is a very intimidating man, I have looked at my deeds and he does own the fence but we are detached bungalows so he does not need a right of way to enter his own garden I have never have stopped him coming to maintain the fence at other times.

[Pagi007]

Hi, the fence is his, he didn't buy new fencing he just but the old back up with the addition of a gate 😡

[SleepFreeZone]

Can you actually see the gate OP? If so I’d probably send him a solicitors letter saying he had no right of access and you would like him to replace the panel immediately.

[MrsCharlesBrandon]

I'd probably do what Watching said, his fence or not he does not have a right to be in your garden!

[emsyj37]

Check your home insurance policy to see if you have legal expenses cover. If you do then call and ask about legal advice through them.
No advice as this is not my area but I would be furious.

[DairyisClosed]

I would suggest climbing g the police given his history of trespass and intimidation. He may be making an attempt at adverse possession (don't worry, it is practically impossible to succeed these days). If you ever see him in your garden call the police. I would also suggest you speak to your elderly neighbour-so they have any family looking out for them? You need to have a conversation with them about what is happening.

[ohfortuna]

Wtf
That is outrageous
CCTV trained on the gate?

[MsMims]

Even if it’s his fence you can still install your own fence, within your boundary. I’d definitely block it off like that.

[wobytide]

I'd do as much gardening as possible and deposit any garden waste you find through the handy gate you found in your garden that leads to the compost heap

[Pagi007]

Hi, we have spoken with elderly neighbours family they live out of the country, they are due here in two months time so hopefully they will be able to get him away from her house. I have just been in touch with a legal firm will be seeing them next week .

[Pagi007]

Thank you for your advice, I hadn't thought about looking at the policy, I am so angry I'm not thinking logically,

[Pagi007]

No trouble before this, I am seeing a legal professional for advice and my rights

[Pagi007]

Thank you for advice am taking legal advice

[bastardkitty]

As he has no legal right of way, I would start by putting a couple of bolts near the bottom of the gate on your side and photographing them.

[wheretoyougonow]

I second a bolt on it your side.

[MrsBertBibby]

Plant a lovely pyracantha in front of the gate. Train it to the fence.

Happy bees, happy blackbirds, very sad anyone trying to come through the gate.

[Pagi007]

Hi everyone, just an update to the fence situation!!
My neighbor has now returned the fence to a fence without a gate, after taking some advice he was approached and politely but firmly told he must restore to original state, he was also told that this situation and his secrecy could be seen by the householder(me) as creepy and underhand, possibly come across as a peeping Tom situation. He came to apologise to me and he shed a few tears, for the situation, I wasn't moved by his tears but hopefully he now knows he cannot come into my garden with out consent at any time.

Thank you for all your supportive comments, help and advice, really helped me to cope with a horrible situation when I felt so anxious
Best wishes to you all 💜

[GrockleBocs]

Just get a metal bar and hammer it in to the soil in your garden about an inch away from the gate near the opening end. He won't be able to open the gate then while you take legal advice.

[GrockleBocs]

Xpost. Glad it's resolved.

[bastardkitty]

Good outcome. He sounds very strange.