inconsiderate neighbors

PasturesNew

For those that seem surprised at this neighbour's action, it's VERY common, across the country, especially in terraces older than 100 years old, that there's a communal path across the back of all the houses, where they will have the right of way to pass/repass with various items (e.g. bins, bikes). Years ago there weren't the fences/gates so it wasn't an issue - and everybody knew their neighbours (were probably related to them).

This path is usually directly outside the back doors, or 2-3 feet from the back doors - with the remainder of each person's garden the other side of that right of way.

So, now people have put up fences and gates over the years, this is a common problem with regard to locks/closing gates/access being blocked etc.

POPPYOSCAR

red_eye wrote: »

not casually only access to take bins out

i am going to knock on doors a little later just want to know where I stand if talking to them fails

If it states in the deeds that they have this access not a lot you can do if they leave the gate open.

Presumably this is only happening on one day of the week? If so if having a quite word with them does not work you will have to keep the little one in on bin day!! or as someone has said, put a self closing latch on the gate.

Angry dog not a good idea, he might get out when the gate is left open!!

Jaynne

So the neighbours forgot to close a gate or maybe the catch isn't great and now you're descending on them like the fire of god Ok I'm exaggerating but its quite a simple thing to forget.

Most people baby proof their house and it sounds like you need to also baby proof your garden - go get some self closing hinges like any of these

Hintza

Jaynne wrote: »

So the neighbours forgot to close a gate or maybe the catch isn't great and now you're descending on them like the fire of god Ok I'm exaggerating but its quite a simple thing to forget.

If talking to them doesn't work I would have a padlock on it until they did remember to shut it. I'm with the OP on this it really is disrespectful.

System

Hintza wrote: »

If talking to them doesn't work I would have a padlock on it until they did remember to shut it. I'm with the OP on this it really is disrespectful.

Not a good idea on a documented right of way. There is no right to padlock it and the neighbours are within their rights to use a pair of bolt croppers on the lock to re-assert their ROW.

Gloomendoom

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

So you could be sitting in your garden and the neighbours just casually walk through as and when they please?

Sounds a bit odd to me, surely they should at least ask first.

It's not that unusual with terraced houses that don't have rear access from an alleyway at the back. They don't need to ask permission if they have a right of way.

I would be putting a padlock on the gate.

And your neighbours would be well within their rights to break the gate down.

plumface

Gloomendoom wrote: »

And your neighbours would be well within their rights to break the gate down.

And what right would that be then,utter rubbish!

pimento

Your 12 month old was in the garden for five minutes on his own? Blimey!

Self closer is the way to go.

Hintza

!!!!!! wrote: »

Not a good idea on a documented right of way. There is no right to padlock it and the neighbours are within their rights to use a pair of bolt croppers on the lock to re-assert their ROW.

That will be fine but at least the OP will have made his point.

If the neighbours have a right of way that is all it is they should treat the OP's property with care and that means closing the gates. It is negligent of the neighbours not to.

Mojisola

Hintza wrote: »

If the neighbours have a right of way that is all it is they should treat the OP's property with care and that means closing the gates. It is negligent of the neighbours not to.

It's bad manners but it isn't negligent. If the neighbours have a right of row, they have no legal obligation to shut gates.

A friendly word with the neighbours is more likely to get a happy result than antagonising them.