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Original poster

Please help trampoline laws/rules?

145 replies

purpleme12 · 15/02/2023 14:32

Trampoline in garden.

Neighbours have been harassing is since we moved in, many different things (has been police involvement) but now trying to claim trampoline makes them uncomfortable as my child can see their garden/dining room (sincerely doubt she's looking at the dining room in the second she's bounced up). Threatening to sue us 'private nuisance and breach of privacy' if it's not respositioned.
I don't know what my rights are here?!
As far as I'm aware people are allowed trampolines in gardens?!
I'm also not sure if this letter is an empty threat or if they would do this?!
Can anyone please help

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleme12 · 15/02/2023 15:01

NCTDN · 15/02/2023 15:00

Could you put some tall or climber plants alongside the fence?

I've already put a 6 foot wooden fence up. In my garden so lost a bit of garden (but it was worth it)

OP posts:
whatsup00 · 15/02/2023 15:02

You have to live next door to these people so I'd think carefully before you react and antagonise them.

I would want to keep the peace.

Can you reposition the trampoline so it doesn't create this problem? In which case - problem solved, the thing is over, all the stress and worry gone.

Can you move it to make things better if not totally solve it?

What about screening or bushes, or sinking it into the floor? Can you put a fence or panels to block the view?

I just want to say, I've been on the other side of this and it was really horrible. The kid used to just stare and listen to our conversations (wasn't my house, but it changed the garden from a place I felt I could relax to somewhere I didn't want to go into really tbh).

FluffyHamster · 15/02/2023 15:04

whatsup00 · 15/02/2023 15:02

You have to live next door to these people so I'd think carefully before you react and antagonise them.

I would want to keep the peace.

Can you reposition the trampoline so it doesn't create this problem? In which case - problem solved, the thing is over, all the stress and worry gone.

Can you move it to make things better if not totally solve it?

What about screening or bushes, or sinking it into the floor? Can you put a fence or panels to block the view?

I just want to say, I've been on the other side of this and it was really horrible. The kid used to just stare and listen to our conversations (wasn't my house, but it changed the garden from a place I felt I could relax to somewhere I didn't want to go into really tbh).

^ This 100%.

whatsup00 · 15/02/2023 15:04

Having said that, if they've harassed you over several things it sounds like a pattern and the problem is with the actual neighbours themselves unfortunately.

Is it better to sit down with them and talk it out? Obviously additional panels and screens and so on might help but there's a limit with that, especially if you've already changed things.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 15/02/2023 15:04

whatsup00 · 15/02/2023 15:02

You have to live next door to these people so I'd think carefully before you react and antagonise them.

I would want to keep the peace.

Can you reposition the trampoline so it doesn't create this problem? In which case - problem solved, the thing is over, all the stress and worry gone.

Can you move it to make things better if not totally solve it?

What about screening or bushes, or sinking it into the floor? Can you put a fence or panels to block the view?

I just want to say, I've been on the other side of this and it was really horrible. The kid used to just stare and listen to our conversations (wasn't my house, but it changed the garden from a place I felt I could relax to somewhere I didn't want to go into really tbh).

Truly and honestly I have not reacted to anything they've done. They want me to react.
There is quite honestly nothing that I can do to stop these people doing what they want to us.
They are a law unto themselves.

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleme12 · 15/02/2023 15:05

whatsup00 · 15/02/2023 15:04

Having said that, if they've harassed you over several things it sounds like a pattern and the problem is with the actual neighbours themselves unfortunately.

Is it better to sit down with them and talk it out? Obviously additional panels and screens and so on might help but there's a limit with that, especially if you've already changed things.

If you knew what they'd done and how they are, I think you'd understand why I can't contemplate that. (But they wouldn't want to listen anyway)

OP posts:
whatsup00 · 15/02/2023 15:05

Do you think they just don't like you for some reason and are looking for problems - and it isn't really the trampoline that's the issue?

Do you know if they had any issues with whoever was there before you?

vivainsomnia · 15/02/2023 15:06

Our previous neighbour had a trampoline right by our living room (conveniently away from theirs), and the sound of the constant bounce bounce noise of it in addition to the screaming and shouting when there were more than 1 was horrendous. I once recorded the decibels abd that was at a dangerous level in my garden.

It was so stressful to hear, we had to move to the other side of the house and we just couldn't enjoy our garden.

I'm sorry OP but it is a very stressful constant sound and I feel sorry for 6iur neighbours. Be considerate and move it a bit further Make sure it's not being used for more than 1/2h at a time a few times a day at reasonable hours.

ReformedWaywardTeen · 15/02/2023 15:07

If there is police involvement I think you need to prompt them to instigate a Non-molestation order to prevent them filming your DC and being a nuisance. Simply coming to tossers like this does nothing. But a Non-mol means they can be arrested every time they breach the terms.

Also, see a solicitor and tell them you will sue for harrasment. You have police proof so it wouldn't be difficult.

Honestly, yes move the trampoline as technically it could be deemed as invasion of privacy. But otherwise you need to take action because elsewise they will bully you into leaving and then you will have massive issue selling because you will have to declare the issues with them.

whatsup00 · 15/02/2023 15:07

TBH if you can't sit down and talk with them (because of concern over how they'd react) that's actually quite worrying. I wonder who lived there before? Maybe it was a quiet person on their own or something and they can't deal with living by a family? But that's life...

Namechangedforthisonetoday · 15/02/2023 15:08

HiImTheProblemItsMe · 15/02/2023 14:55

I'd get a red pen, correct any and all spelling and punctuation errors then send it back. Signed for.

This.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 15/02/2023 15:08

whatsup00 · 15/02/2023 15:05

Do you think they just don't like you for some reason and are looking for problems - and it isn't really the trampoline that's the issue?

Do you know if they had any issues with whoever was there before you?

They hate children.
They have an issue with children.
They are known on the street. They've been problematic for years before we moved here - but I'm an easier target as I'm a single mum and she's a child so she's easier to bully, and we live next door

OP posts:
Mumsanetta · 15/02/2023 15:09

I’m a lawyer and this is a nonsense, not a legal nuisance. Can you imagine the consequences of the courts deciding that you can’t put up a trampoline in your garden unless you have a 15ft fence?

Anyway, bringing a nuisance claim is very expensive and time consuming. If they want to piss their money down a drain by actually instructing solicitors, let them. Google the recent Tate Modern nuisance case, which cost millions by the way. Pretty sure the courts found that overlooking is not a legal nuisance.

Justcallmebebes · 15/02/2023 15:11

I work in Dispute Resolution. Ignore the letter. They don't have a claim if this is a common or garden trampoline in an average neighbourhood.

bellac11 · 15/02/2023 15:12

Move the trampoline, even out your ground to enable you to do that. They should be dug into the ground anyway

Your neighbours might be nuisances and inappropriate in a number of ways but you dont sound much better either in regard to this (if nothing else)

whatsup00 · 15/02/2023 15:13

Yeah I was a bit worried to read it isn't on grass at the moment, so it must be on concrete? Which could be dangerous if someone falls off it :/

BreviloquentBastard · 15/02/2023 15:14

You keep ominously saying "if you knew what they'd done" but then don't tell us what they've done. There's been police involved, but for all we know it was justified.

Without that information all we have to go on is what you've told us, and I'm sorry but trampolines are deeply annoying and it's irritating hearing that constant bounce-squeak and to see little faces popping up over the fence peering into your home over and over. Kids are nosey little so and so's, they just are. In isolation of all the things you haven't told us I can actually see your neighbour's point.

My last neighbours sank their trampoline and put it right at the far end of the garden so as not to be annoying.

OffYouPopNow · 15/02/2023 15:14

purpleme12 · 15/02/2023 14:59

I could move it a few centimetres to the other side but if I move it anymore to the other side it'd be uneven ground or on grass.
It's not this massive garden in the first place

What is the problem with it being on grass? I get that you shouldn’t have to, but enough posters here have said it’s annoying, so why tie yourself in knots about the legal angle rather than just moving it?

currantbee · 15/02/2023 15:14

Google the recent Tate Modern nuisance case, which cost millions by the way. Pretty sure the courts found that overlooking is not a legal nuisance.

Supreme court just ruled it did constitute a nuisance

vivainsomnia · 15/02/2023 15:16

The police might have advised them to film for evidence.

Ultimately, nuisance is nuisance. As said, it's all about how bad it is and how often.

You seem very defensive and not prepared to consider any compromises. That doesn't make you a great neighbour either.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 15/02/2023 15:17

I'm sorry I posted on here. I didn't think I had to go into everything they've done and if I did it would be a long post and frankly no one would want to read it.
I'm sorry if people think I'm being difficult

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleme12 · 15/02/2023 15:17

vivainsomnia · 15/02/2023 15:16

The police might have advised them to film for evidence.

Ultimately, nuisance is nuisance. As said, it's all about how bad it is and how often.

You seem very defensive and not prepared to consider any compromises. That doesn't make you a great neighbour either.

No they've haven't but that's honestly fine if you think that

OP posts:
Christmascracker0 · 15/02/2023 15:19

Could you dig the trampoline into the ground so the children aren’t bouncing so high?!

FenghuangHoyan · 15/02/2023 15:19

Your neighbours can report you to the local authority due to noise and privacy concerns. Having a ongoing dispute with your neighbours will also affect your house value should you want to sell it.

Why not move the trampoline to the other side of your garden rather than leaving it there with neighbours you say you already have long standing issues with? Did you think that this would help matters if they "hate children"?

I don't know if you're aware, but you're coming across as expecting people to have agreed with you and are not happy that some people have differing opinions.

OriginalUsername2 · 15/02/2023 15:19

I like the idea of sending it back with spelling corrected.

In person I would act amused and tell them to go ahead and waste their money and time, mentioning that the police might be interested to know they have images of your children on their phones.

They really can’t do anything.