Kids playing on garage next door

northernsaver

Hi all,

My partner and I are having an issue with some kids on our road, and wondered what your thoughts are on this?
Next to the drive there's some garages (not owned by us). Some kids are using them to play on, using our wheelybin to get up on top of the garage. They get down by using our wall at the back of the garage, which is approx 1 & 1/2 meters high. These kids are only little, probably 7-8, so it looks like a pretty big jump when they jump down into our back garden.
We've moved the wheelybins so they've started getting up at the other side (not near my house) but still use our wall to get down. My boyfriend has shouted 'get down' when they've been on the wall. They've gotten down quickly, but always come back. My car is also on the drive which they have to run past. We're thinking of putting a fence up at the front but 1) can't afford 2) it might not deter if it's not big enough.

My questions are:
1. Should we speak to the parents?
2. What would happen if one of them fell off the garage? (even though they aren't owned by us) Would this be the garage owners fault for failing to stop them being able to get up?
3. If they damage my wall when jumping off, what should I do?
4. If they hurt themselves falling off my wall, could the parents sue me?

Any advice would be great
Many thanks
Rachael

thegirlintheattic

Put up trellis on top of your wall, preferably with some thorny type of plant on it or below it.

Tell the parents! Once you tell the parents it's their fault if they do not stop them.

mkaibear

1. Should we speak to the parents?

Yes.

2. What would happen if one of them fell off the garage? (even though they aren't owned by us) Would this be the garage owners fault for failing to stop them being able to get up?

No. Although the garage owners do have a duty of care.

3. If they damage my wall when jumping off, what should I do?

Laugh? Sorry, that was unhelpful...

Take videos and send to You've Been Framed.

4. If they hurt themselves falling off my wall, could the parents sue me?

They could try but on what grounds would they sue you? You have done what you could to stop them doing it, you've moved the wheelybin.

Definitely tell the parents though.

Mojisola

rachjenn wrote: »

3. If they damage my wall when jumping off, what should I do?

If a seven year old could damage your wall by jumping on it, it must be in need of repair already. If it's fine now, they won't damage it.

Good advice from the other posters.

SJshah

Make sure you tell the parents, first thing.

You could also put up a "do not climb" or "cctv in operation" sign to deter them, and maybe a fake cctv camera to scare them off? I would also suggest anti-climb paint but the kids will most definitely slip and fall.


As for the parents sueing you, I guess they could... "Under the Occupier’s liability act 1984 householders have a duty of care to anyone on their property whether they are legally entitled to be there or not."

So you should try your best to deter them from climbing up there, or at least your wall.

mkaibear wrote: »

3. If they damage my wall when jumping off, what should I do?

Laugh? Sorry, that was unhelpful...

Take videos and send to You've Been Framed.

:rotfl:

ic

Just shout at them and put the fear of god into them. They're little kids messing with your bin and jumping around on your wall. Why not lock up your bin within your garden whilst you're at it?

iamcornholio

I remember the times we played on the garages near us. Good fun. I dare say most kids have done it

Anyway, decide if you are concerned about their safety, or if they are just annoying you.

If it is safety then yes by all means speak with the kids or the parents, rather than an "Oi!" from the back garden. If there are dangers, then explanation is always better.

And if they are on your property, then again speak with them.

Whether the parents will be amenable is another matter

On the basis that anyone can sue anyone, then yes you could be sued. In real terms however, you are not liable if someone falls from your wall. For a successful claim there needs to be negligence and/or a defect. You have no obligation to stop people climbing your wall, and are not negligent in preventing them doing so. Likewise for the garage owner

If they damage your wall then yes they (or rather their parents) are responsible

mrcow

How tall is the wall? I'd paint a thick coating of anti-climb paint across the top of the wall. But that's because I'm a miserable sod.

muckybutt

Have a word with your local community support officer at the police station, pass them the details of the children (names and addresses) and what they are doing, it could be seen as anti social behaviour so the police will act on it and the onus is off you for any come back.

For your walls get some prikka strips and a sign, that'll stop em from climbing on your wall and is perfectly legal to use.
http://www.insight-security.com/per-prickler.htm
I have no connection with the company, just used them as a reference to the product.

northernsaver

Mojisola wrote: »

If a seven year old could damage your wall by jumping on it, it must be in need of repair already. If it's fine now, they won't damage it.

I disagree. It's made up of big stone blocks, but with force especially kids pushing on them with their weight, it could start to move. It's in a good state of repair.

iamcornholio wrote: »

I remember the times we played on the garages near us. Good fun. I dare say most kids have done it

Anyway, decide if you are concerned about their safety, or if they are just annoying you.

If it is safety then yes by all means speak with the kids or the parents, rather than an "Oi!" from the back garden. If there are dangers, then explanation is always better.

Totally agree, my partner and I both used to play out on our roads. However the difference here is that if we were told to get off a wall, we'd do it; when my partner shouted at them to get off our wall, they shouted "the F word & off" and ran off showing the V's. We weren't amused and our concern for their welfare decreased considerably!

I know their next door neighbour so I'm going to ask him to put the word out. I'm not going to go to the police as this is a bit OTT seeing as though they're only playing & causing no damage.... yet. I think we're going to look into putting something on the wall, so they can't use it to climb down.

Many thanks for all the advice given!

Jaynne

rachjenn wrote: »

when my partner shouted at them to get off our wall, they shouted "the F word & off" and ran off showing the V's. We weren't amused and our concern for their welfare decreased considerably!

Cheeky scroats, anticlimb paint (as sticky and nasty as possible) would be my preferred solution if you couldn't get their parents to stop them