Are my neighbours tree ‘surgeons’ allowed to jump the fence into my garden?

Sunsaru

SavingPennies_2 said:

Norman_Castle said:

1122abc said:

I saw four men in my garden. One with a very long lopper, all in black hoodies, joggers and one with a puffer jacket.

I think tree surgeons might be an exaggeration.

It's winter and they are working outdoors doing a physical and dirty job, what would they be expected to wear?

If they are from up North, shorts.

sheramber

980233 said:

There is a big difference from that scenario to hopping over the back fence/gate without permission.

Especially when the conversation went like this " I asked if they needed my permission to be in my garden but they said they don’t,"

[Deleted User] said:

sheramber said:

I used tree surgeons who advertised, were well recommended  and had insurance cover.

Why would they not wear casual clothing? 

Why would they wear high viz when working in a garden?

Because if they really had insurance they would probably be required to wear high vis clothing. If they got injured, or injured someone else, and were not wearing proper PPE then insurance would likely not want to pay out.

Is there. I lived in a very rural area on a singe track road - nearest neighbour 1/2 mile away. My front garden was large being twice the length of my bungalow.and bounded by a fence and field gate. It was very unusual for there to be people around, especially ones  you did not know. Looking out the window and seeing strangers in your garden was nit a normal sight.

These men had walked into my garden and across a large part of my garden,  passed my house. They did not advise me they  were there.  

They also told me they did not need my permission to be there.

Sanctioned_Parts_List

Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984, anyone? Third parties getting injured on private property, even uninvited ones, might be able to find an ambulance chaser to raise a claim if they just happened to trip on the way out. While it might seem trivial, OP had no idea who the workmen were, what their insurance coverage was, etc. to know whether he was safe to allow them to work from his property.

lookstraightahead

If it's all done now I would let it go. What's done is done. Tell your neighbours it frightened you abs you nearly phoned the police (say with a smile on your face). Ask them to let you know next time in advance as it was nearly a very embarrassing situation.

Ditzy_Mitzy

jimbog said:

SavingPennies_2 said:

Norman_Castle said:

1122abc said:

I saw four men in my garden. One with a very long lopper, all in black hoodies, joggers and one with a puffer jacket.

I think tree surgeons might be an exaggeration.

It's winter and they are working outdoors doing a physical and dirty job, what would they be expected to wear?

Definitely not tree surgeons (there was four of them?). Would not be dressed like that and using a long looper to cut a tree. Sound like cowboys 

All the cowboys round my way wear ten gallon hats and chaps. 

OP, what's done is done so nothing to be gained by worrying about it now.  Our neighbours' workmen have used our land for access in the past; we have also put ladders on their 'side'.  It doesn't matter to either of us, but things are generally communicated in advance.  I really would suggest making the effort, just go and tap on the door one day and introduce yourself.  There's nothing to be lost.  

eidand

I would have a big issue with this, I'd tell them to leave immediately or I call the police. 

If the neighbor needs things done then they need to come and talk to you about it first, like when to do it, at what times they will do it, how many people. Then you can agree, of course.

That's how things are done, they don't just turn up and do whatever they want in someone else's property.

Brie

I haven't seen anything specific on this thread but if the OP is female and discovered a group of strange men in her garden I'm not surprised she would be shocked. And very likely frightened.  Particularly if she's an 2nd gen immigrant, possibly not white and the men are all white Brits. 

All that aside I would have asked them to leave or that I would call the police.   If they argued I would have phoned without reservation.  

I certainly would have no issues with my neighbour saying that they needed access in advance of the day.   I doubt that anything would have been arranged without some comment about "oh the tree is at the fence line!  Can you ensure your neighbour knows we may need access?"  And if there hadn't been that conversation I wouldn't think the men doing the work were from a very professional firm.

Ultimately though at this point I do think now it's one you have to make into that "funny story about me in a towel and those tree guys in the garden".  

turnitround

Im amazed at how many posters say they would call the police in these circumstances. 

Even if the police did have time to attend they would not be very impressed to get there to find someone saying 'These are workmen from next door and they didn't ask first'.

What a complete waste of police time.

canaldumidi

turnitround said:

Im amazed at how many posters say they would call the police in these circumstances. 

Even if the police did have time to attend they would not be very impressed to get there to find someone saying 'These are workmen from next door and they didn't ask first'.

What a complete waste of police time.

Plus there is a relevant offence:

section 5(2) Criminal Law Act 1967

The offence of wasting police time is committed when a person causes any wasteful employment of the police:

• by knowingly making to any person a false report orally or in writing tending to:
  • show that an offence has been committed; or,
  • give rise to apprehension for the safety of any persons or property; or,
  • show that he has information material to any police inquiry.

It is a summary only offence carrying a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment and/or a level 4 fine.

lookstraightahead

turnitround said:

Im amazed at how many posters say they would call the police in these circumstances. 

Even if the police did have time to attend they would not be very impressed to get there to find someone saying 'These are workmen from next door and they didn't ask first'.

What a complete waste of police time.

I agree with this. We had a fence put up and I didn't even realise the guys would need to access next door. My neighbours gave them a cup of tea as I was out.