Kids playing in our garden

Nicki

Misstress wrote: »

My daughters recently made friends with every child in the road and my house being in the middle seems to be where they all hang out!!! I dont mind too much cos its nice to see her happy and getting lots of fresh air but skating through the house when the side gate is open!! is taking the pee!

:rotfl::rotfl: I thought your first post was a joke! What happened is hysterical, if a tad annoying for you.

marywooyeah

I don't think you're unreasonable at all OP I used to have a similar problem at another house I lived in. We tried reasoning with them, then shouting, then I went round and told their parents what they were doing and asked that they kept to their own garden. Nothing worked though, eventually we moved for different reasons but you are right that you could be held liable if something happened whilst on your property - google the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 to get an idea.

I'd go round and speak to the parents and make it clear that you've already asked them nicely but they've carried on regardless.

gibson123

OP with kids just keep telling them, it takes about 6 times.

Misstress, I feel the pain, two kids walked through my living room at the weekend went into my freezer and helped themselves to ice poles. When I asked what they were doing they said that last time they were in, (with my DD) I said to help themselves. I had to laugh and explain that is only allowed when they are actually with my DD, to be fair they are only 5 and 6 and didn't know better.

mishkanorman

We've had a nightmare here as we live on a bend, our house is ex-council and still has the old wall which is in-line with the house, when they sold off the properties the council decided to include everything up to the pavement so we have an area which isnt fenced off. Most houses up our street have demolished the old walls but it splits our garden into a safe are for our children and (to us) looks much better from the road.

We have had children, and at times even adults walking their dogs, following the line of the wall round a grass pathway across the drive and flowerbeds, then onto another patch of grass before getting back to the pavement. (hard to describe but its not a shortcut as is quite a detour round)

We've put signs up that its private property which were stolen, Ive trailed some wire to block off the flower beds which were getting trampled which seems to have worked for some of them. I was asking nicely that the same children everyday dont run across my property but I now just bawl at them & or the parents as my tolerance has gone !

I tried the gently gently approach hoping that peoples manners would kick in and they would respect our property but sadly that just led to me getting more and more frustrated (should I really have to ask people to not let their dog crap on my lawn !?!)

Op, dont be afraid to put in a firm but polite request to the parents, I doubt they realise what is going on or at least to the extent that it is.

WhiteHorse

OH thinks you you are mean? He won't be laughing when one of the little beasts hurts themselves and their parents get some sleazy no-win-no-fee lawyer.

Look into the future too. How will the situation develop as the cute nuisances get older, more arrogant, and more aggressive (as they will, because they obviously have no respect now).

Time to start putting up some serious fences.

heretolearn_2

Thanks all, I now feel ok that I am not being mean.

Not sure what we can do about the car port at the mo but to me that's a clear 'no entry' anyway unless someone wants to be really awkward, it's like walking through someone's garage or side gate to get into their garden.

On the terraced bit, still puzzling out how we might be able to fence but also been looking at thorny hedge plants.

Corelli

I feel for you. Kids without boundaries tend to take more and more unless stopped. No way are you being mean, your garden should be your own private space and your car should not be in danger from footballs.

We've had nothing quite like your experience but I have been surprised by a bunch of lads knocking on my back door having taken a short cut through our garden. Thank goodness I'd put a dressing gown over my towels after my bath. I let them know I wasn't too happy about it and heard one or two mutter as they went off that they knew she'd be cross.

That particular misendemour didn't get repeated but there are stories ...

Anyway, I'm trying to visualise your terrace. Could you put up high trellises? Weak ones that would obviously break if climbed on and start some climbers up them? To clearly mark your boundaries without losing the light as you would with proper fencing.

I hope it get resolved before the holidays.

Sambucus_Nigra

My bro and his missus' house is the one that each kid in school walks past on the way home no matter which way they go - we are often sat in the dining room and a strange kid wanders in asking to use the loo or 'have we seen Brian' [other children are available]...it's because they know the house, know the 2 girls that live there, and my SIL is best friends with their teacher. Better to feel that they have somewhere safe to go, I suppose!

I think OP you either resort to being the mad person, make it very user unfriendly or you have to go and have a chat with their parents; mainly on H&S issues and damage - in fact if you offer for them to sign a disclaimer [saying they hold themselves responsible for any damage done by their child] in order for you to carry on allowing them into your garden - you might find the kids never return.

Nicki

The last bit of SN's advice is not good, and please please don't follow it.

You can't ever in any way exclude liability for death or personal injury in a contract, waiver, or any other legal document. But if you pitch up at a child's house asking the parents to sign a document like this, and the child subsequently comes onto your property and hurts themself, sure as eggs is eggs that piece of paper will be produced to help demonstrate that you knew, or had reason to believe, that your property was dangerous, increasing your legal liabilities. I also wouldn't mention health and safety grounds at all when talking to the parents, other than to say you don't want to have any responsibility for supervising them or ensuring they don't come to harm.

Sambucus_Nigra

Nicki wrote: »

The last bit of SN's advice is not good, and please please don't follow it.

You can't ever in any way exclude liability for death or personal injury in a contract, waiver, or any other legal document. But if you pitch up at a child's house asking the parents to sign a document like this, and the child subsequently comes onto your property and hurts themself, sure as eggs is eggs that piece of paper will be produced to help demonstrate that you knew, or had reason to believe, that your property was dangerous, increasing your legal liabilities. I also wouldn't mention health and safety grounds at all when talking to the parents, other than to say you don't want to have any responsibility for supervising them or ensuring they don't come to harm.

It was a joke! Jeez...