Can my neighbour legally access my garden?

marcarm

Samolly28 wrote: »

As the gate opens into her garden not ours my husband doesn't think a lock would be possible.

I initially refused the plumber access today but then relented because he threatened to call the police saying they would force their way in. I was pretty sure that they wouldn't do that but I had to go to work and I was worried about my dogs.

I allowed him to push the gate open from my side because she has failed to maintain her garden and the gate was buried under a climber and broken trellis.

Unfortunately my husband has also informed me that the gate is now broken and won't shut properly so he has had to block up the gap temporarily to keep our dogs from getting in her garden.

In honesty she is so awful I would prefer a solution that requires us to have no interaction at all. Whenever she doesn't get what she wants from us she makes threats against us on social media and to our other neighbours!

I would have let them call the police, especially after threatening to force their way in, and let them explain to them exactly why you didn't want them in.

Or did you mean that the police would force their way in, as I'm pretty certain they won't have done that, they don't just break into properties on the say so of someone else.

moneyistooshorttomention

bris wrote: »

If the meter has been there for years then there will be a right of way to it.


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I very much doubt it.

That sort of prescriptive ROW cant normally exist unless its been used for over 20 years. The meter may not have been in that position for as long as that.

Personally - I'd get onto whoever is responsible for meters these days. I cant recall the name of the body concerned unfortunately - but your own gas company should be able to tell you.

Having found out who that body is - then get onto them and explain the difficulty their meter location is inadvertently causing and that it needs to be replaced in a more suitable location (general implication of "You need to replace it anyway shortly - ie with a smart meter. So whilst you are on subject - you need to move it."). Don't take "no" for an answer from a call centre operator.

If need be - that organisation has probably got a Facebook page these days= so put up a post on there about it and someone with a "bit of power" might then come back to you about this. Someone with a bit more intelligence/power might realise their organisation is at risk if they cause you problems (indirectly) because of the location of their meter. If you/your property got damaged because of this tenant trying to get at THEIR meter on YOUR property - they will have visions in their head of you putting in a claim against them. (NB - hence it would be best for you to make sure you have something in writing to them/dated/etc - that they know you could produce as "evidence" if you needed to). They will have visions of you standing there in court going "Yes...I did tell them I was at risk because of the location of their property. Here is my letter of x date and the problem happened so many days/weeks/whatever after the date on my letter to them".

m0bov

Block the gate up, offer to put the reading on a sticky note when you read yours. Pop it through their letter box. You cant have people snoopping around and sending heavies to threaten you.

I would also find out who your local PCSO is and invite them round. I would also get a cctv ip cam to cover the area.

Marvel1

marcarm wrote: »

I would have let them call the police, especially after threatening to force their way in, and let them explain to them exactly why you didn't want them in.

Or did you mean that the police would force their way in, as I'm pretty certain they won't have done that, they don't just break into properties on the say so of someone else.

Also I'm sure the Police would have agreed with the OP as no id to prove who they are.

moneyistooshorttomention

I imagine the plumber was doing "Me big burly loutish looking man and you little woman" card and that and her dogs are the reason OP let him in against her will.

It helps if one is in the position to play the "Sharper elbows/more strings to pull than you - and not daft mate" card back again. For many people that isnt possible and the "loutish/bigger than you" card wins.

rosyw

Add my vote to those in favour of blocking up the gateway! A couple of posts and a sturdy fence panel would see the job done very quickly as a short term measure, then find out who owns the wall, if it's yours just brick up the gap! I'm fairly sure that would encourage the next door landlord to contact you, then you can tell him to get his meter moved off your property.
There is no need to put up with the harassment & bullying by your neighbours, just make it abundantly clear you will NOT allow further access to your property.

bris

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I very much doubt it.

Why, do you know how old the house is? The meter would have been installed when they were built, there is more than a fair chance the house is well over 20 years old.


Playing devils advocate but there is 2 sides to every story. Having someone stand there blocking access to a gate to read a meter is petty and asking for trouble, especially when it's been getting read the same way for years.

Mojisola

Samolly28 wrote: »

My neighbour has regularly entered my garden without asking apparently to read the meter

I would be very grateful for some assistance as I feel vulnerable being in my garden with my children. I also have dogs and I'm worried they might go for someone that just came through the gate without warning.

Samolly28 wrote: »

As the gate opens into her garden not ours my husband doesn't think a lock would be possible.

I allowed him to push the gate open from my side because she has failed to maintain her garden and the gate was buried under a climber and broken trellis.

Unfortunately my husband has also informed me that the gate is now broken and won't shut properly so he has had to block up the gap temporarily to keep our dogs from getting in her garden.

How often is she coming in if the gate couldn't be opened from her side?

As a dog owner, you have a responsibility to prevent your dogs from getting out and, as a parent, you have a duty to keep your children safe - get a lock on the gate. If a lock isn't possible, a padlock and a couple of hasps should be possible.

Unless next door's owners can come up with something showing they have a legal right to enter whenever they want, I would remove the gate and put up a fixed piece of fencing.

Put in writing to the neighbour that you will allow access at a suitable pre-arranged time each month so that they can read the meter. You will also have to allow access when work needs to be done on the gas supply.

HappyMJ

A picture would be really helpful.

I can't really understand why the gas meter is on your property unless you don't actually own the land the gas meter is on.

I'd be asking for it to be moved.

[Deleted User]

Get the meter moved. I wouldn't be putting up with next door's meter in my garden even if it is on the wall of their extension.