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Original poster

Concerns of buying a house next to a footpath

47 replies

Ck1005 · 14/08/2024 16:29

Hi,

I've had an offer accepted on a house. I like the house but now I'm nervous as the garden is next to a footpath. It's a small development and the footpath is near the end of a fairly quiet close leading to another quiet road - I can't see it being a massively used footpath. The garden has a brick wall and side gate.

Realistically anyone who wants to jump a brick wall can. This sounds silly but my only concern is I have rabbits and I am worried about then being stolen....or worse. They are only out in the day time (in a run) and come in at night. But it would be very easy for something to think it was funny to jump the wall and take them. The area doesn't have the best reputation which worries me. I can't work out if I'm being ridiculous or not.

I admit, ive always been anxious about leaving them in gardens even when gardens are enclosed. I currently don't have a grass garden and one of my main reasons for moving is so they can have a grass garden. Which on turn will be pointless if I'm too anxious to put them in the garden.

Any thoughts? Am I being over anxious? Or Realistically, if I have concerns should I look for a more 'secure ' garden location.

I did read about putting wire on the wall (which might look like overkill) but also read that then if someone tries to jump over the wall and injures themselves on the wire, I'm liable 🙄.

Any thoughts for an overthinker? Thanks 🙂

OP posts:
Thelondonone · 14/08/2024 16:30

I wouldn’t buy it, I don’t like people walking past my garden, can attract anti-social behaviour.

KievLoverTwo · 14/08/2024 16:36

>Realistically anyone who wants to jump a brick wall can

Can't you put a fence or some other deterrent on top of the wall?

fiorentina · 14/08/2024 16:53

I’d avoid it from a general security perspective not just due to the rabbits. You could protect the garden with the little spikes on top of the wall to some extent though as people near us have done.

Tel12 · 14/08/2024 16:55

You can always find a reason not to buy. Ask the current owners if there's been any issues. If not I'd proceed. You can always get a ring camera for the front and back if you want extra security.

DrySherry · 14/08/2024 16:56

Burglar target unfortunately :/

Ponderingwindow · 14/08/2024 16:59

id be more concerned with a lack of privacy. How high is the wall?

we live right near a multi-use path, though it doesn’t run along our garden. Honestly, the biggest issue is the little bit of road people have to navigate to get to the multi-use path. Some days it’s quite full with cyclists and pedestrians which can make vehicle travel if you are just trying to get somewhere a bit slow. I’d still rather have the path. It’s really beautiful. I go down there some mornings when it’s quiet and just listen to nature.

Original poster
Ck1005 · 14/08/2024 17:00

Yes, that is what my concerns are. Annoying as after so long off looking it's the best house I've seen. But not worth it if I'm going to be worried.

OP posts:
halava · 14/08/2024 17:00

I might be missing something, but doesn't every house in a development have a footpath outside?

Purplepepsi · 14/08/2024 17:00

My parents do and it's actually fine. Only locals really walking past and it wouldn't put me off.

Original poster
Ck1005 · 14/08/2024 17:02

Ponderingwindow · 14/08/2024 16:59

id be more concerned with a lack of privacy. How high is the wall?

we live right near a multi-use path, though it doesn’t run along our garden. Honestly, the biggest issue is the little bit of road people have to navigate to get to the multi-use path. Some days it’s quite full with cyclists and pedestrians which can make vehicle travel if you are just trying to get somewhere a bit slow. I’d still rather have the path. It’s really beautiful. I go down there some mornings when it’s quiet and just listen to nature.

The privacy is fine, it's a high wall, you wouldnt be able to see through it

OP posts:
Original poster
Ck1005 · 14/08/2024 17:02

Purplepepsi · 14/08/2024 17:00

My parents do and it's actually fine. Only locals really walking past and it wouldn't put me off.

OK, that's helpful thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ck1005 · 14/08/2024 17:04

halava · 14/08/2024 17:00

I might be missing something, but doesn't every house in a development have a footpath outside?

To the side of the house, not at the front.

OP posts:
OttersAreMySpiritAnimal · 14/08/2024 17:23

I've had a couple of houses with footpaths beside them and had no issues, one was very busy as it led to the local park.
Perhaps consider planting some vicious bushes on one or both sides of the wall? Firethorn is very pretty and an absolute beast. Anyone falling/jumping into it would be in a world of pain and it is commonly used as a deterrent.

Original poster
Ck1005 · 14/08/2024 17:25

OttersAreMySpiritAnimal · 14/08/2024 17:23

I've had a couple of houses with footpaths beside them and had no issues, one was very busy as it led to the local park.
Perhaps consider planting some vicious bushes on one or both sides of the wall? Firethorn is very pretty and an absolute beast. Anyone falling/jumping into it would be in a world of pain and it is commonly used as a deterrent.

Ah thank you!

OP posts:
theemmadilemma · 14/08/2024 17:26

Anyone can scale a fence as easily as a wall if the want is there.

Unless it was leading to the local youth hangout it wouldn't bother me.

Original poster
Ck1005 · 14/08/2024 17:31

theemmadilemma · 14/08/2024 17:26

Anyone can scale a fence as easily as a wall if the want is there.

Unless it was leading to the local youth hangout it wouldn't bother me.

That is very true. Thanks for your input.

OP posts:
BananaPeanutToast · 14/08/2024 17:32

My concern would be anti social behaviour, a good spot for teen weed smoking, dealing, etc. esp if it’s not the best area. As it’s a public footpath there is very little you can do if so (not allowed to put up cameras as a deterrent). If you are concerned you probably have reason.

soupfiend · 14/08/2024 17:35

Can you hang around there a few nights and get a feel for what its like

Being summer, and teens off school, this would be the most likely time to see activity if there is any. If its fairly quiet then you know pretty much that its likely to be like that all year

And I agree, grow some fast growing spikey bushes as climbers so they come above the top of the wall.

SockFluffInTheBath · 14/08/2024 17:39

Do you have dogs that would bark at passers by?

BunsenBurnerBaby · 14/08/2024 17:42

Have lived in two houses with footpaths. One: footpath was a shortcut to secondary school. It would appear kids had parents who made them lunches they didn’t like and throwing them over my garden fence was a a good solution to their problem and they liked drawing penises on my fence. Where I live now we get the occasional dog walker. So it depends! You sound anxious tho and like it would worry you.

CoolSummerDays · 14/08/2024 17:49

Putting trellis on top of a wall is a common way to put people off climbing over as it would break and make a noise. Train a rambling rose or two over it and you get an even better deterrent!

Rollercoaster1920 · 14/08/2024 17:50

is it a deliveroo scooter cut through? Noise at night is a pain on one near me. Also acts as the escape route from the police cars and gets fly tipping and dog poo.

I would avoid for those reasons. But life is all about compromises.

Whammyammy · 14/08/2024 18:07

They built a development of 5 houses in our village on an old timber yard a few years back, and a footpath runs along the length.

A couple of people who purchased there constantly moan about people using the footpath, joggers, dog walkers, cyclists, ramblers.... they complain all the time saying people can look in. Not sure what they want to achieve??
But if you have concerns now it will be worse when you buy. Don't buy then complain like these jokers do.

Differentstarts · 14/08/2024 18:12

I think its area dependent so if it's a nice quiet area that is only used by people who live in the area I'd be fine with that but if you walk down the path and theirs needles, rubbish, urine stains and graffiti then no

CellophaneFlower · 14/08/2024 18:15

I'd do as a pp suggested and case the joint a bit.

I have an alley running alongside my garden. It leads to playing fields so it's quite well used. I have lots of high bushes running along the wall but if I didn't, I'd run some trellis along the top.

I honestly wouldn't worry about the rabbits getting stolen. I have a dog and the only thing I'm worried about is something getting chucked over that she might eat, so in your situation I'd just make sure the run is covered. Probably best anyway if you have foxes in the area.