Neighbour using washing line without permission

alleiapwi

Hi all,

This may be a stupid question with a simple answer, but I've yet to come across an exact scenario that matches ours.

My husband and I rent a mid-terraced house. Out our back door is an access path which is kept clear. Beyond that is a garden with a fence and gate.

Earlier today we found that our neighbour to our right hung their full bed linen out on our washing lines. There is no access to our garden through theirs, and no reason they should be in our garden. We have never spoken to them, and certainly not given permission to use our washing line or access our garden. Our gate currently has a bolt, but no lock.

It is possible that the owners of the house to our right owns the boundary fence between the two gardens. I understand that if the neighbours own the boundary fence, and need access to repair the fence, we would need to give it, but surely that doesn't prevent us from putting up a lock? They can ask if they need to get in for repairs. I can't imagine they could come and go as they please traipsing in and out of our garden at will.

Question: As our garden does not provide access to anything like a boiler, etc. are we legally OK to put up a padlock on our gate?

I am concerned that if our neighbour continues to use our garden without our permission, and if he were to be hurt, we would have to deal with that, or our landlord would, although he was trespassing.

Thanks!:j

Edit: As was rightly pointed out, we have never spoken with this neighbour and that is the ideal situation before proceeding. We have not had the opportunity because we have not seen them outside their house yet. My husband and I are also not comfortable in doing so, as there have been incidents of aggressive behaviour that we have heard between our shared wall. I realise this may be a lot of assumption on our part, but we are concerned about approaching him, even in a friendly way.

elsien

If you've never spoken to them, do you not think now would be a good time to do so before you do anything else?

alleiapwi

My husband and I did discuss that, but we are not comfortable speaking with this neighbour. It is a possibility though.

Since they moved in back in November, there have been numerous incidents that we could hear between our shared walls, and incidents of this particular neighbour being aggressive and shouting. We are concerned about approaching him, even in a friendly way. We have also never had the opportunity as we have never seen them outside of the house.

All options are open, just trying to find the best way to handle this.

Sarahdol75

I wonder if the owners of the house before you let them use the washing line if it wasnt being used.

My mums neighbours use each others if they are not being used, they have an understanding with each other and its never been a problem.

Perhaps just mention it to them, that your not happy with it, they might just presume it would be ok. Some people are a bit like that.

suki1964

Just knock on the door and say to the neighbour, if they weren't aware, that its your private garden and private lines and you don't want them either in your garden nor using your lines


I had the same in the past, a family moved in to the stand alone house attached to our block, who thought that they could use the blocks shared facilities - parking spaces, lines and bins. A knock on the door and a polite chat solved the issue

comeandgo

I unintentionally used a neighbours line as I had been told by my landlord that I had use of it. It turned out he was wrong. Are you sure it is your line and yours only? Would your neighbour think it was theirs took. The only way you will find out is ask. Go round and talk to them, don't be so wet.

getmore4less

Check you don't have one of those crazy offset garden situations.

Simple solution change the line to one that can be taken down when not in use(hook and eye).

boliston

unless i was using the line i would not be overly bothered as it is better than them using a tumble dryer if they don't have their own line - it's not like they let their noisy kids play in your garden

elsien

I misread the details in your first post and I think my house is set up like yours - backyard, access path then separate garden. Nothing to stop you locking the gate if you want to.
I wouldn't want the neighbours wandering in and out at will. Particularly if they e not bothered to talk to me.

Mistral001

Why are they not hanging their washing in their own garden?

greenface

alleiapwi wrote: »

Hi all,

This may be a stupid question with a simple answer, but I've yet to come across an exact scenario that matches ours.

My husband and I rent a mid-terraced house. Out our back door is an access path which is kept clear. Beyond that is a garden with a fence and gate.

Earlier today we found that our neighbour to our right hung their full bed linen out on our washing lines. There is no access to our garden through theirs, and no reason they should be in our garden. We have never spoken to them, and certainly not given permission to use our washing line or access our garden. Our gate currently HAS A BOLT BUT NO LOCK

Then tell them your landlord told you to put one on