Problem Neighbours - is it time to hold them accountable?

Norman_Castle

After accommodating him then being refused access I'm surprised you still speak to him. Stop being neigbourly, treat him how he treats you. A six foot wire mesh fence on metal posts hammered into the ground should be easy enough to do and keep him out. CCTV, either real or fake would be a good deterrent. Can you treat your shed by spraying it from your side? Lean over the fence for each end then climb on the roof for the middle. Sheds are often inaccessible, be creative in how you access yours to repair it. Could you put a hatch in the bordering wall?

deannagone

I don't know how your shed is constructed but I'd look at shortening it a foot or two so you can protect all four sides, care for it and there aren't any possible boundary issues.  I'd also look at the mesh fencing idea as well.  You can't be accused of robbing him of light, and yet he can't access your garden as easily (although a determined neighbour might still climb over).

Bear in mind what has been said about it taking two to have a dispute, there probably are 'wrongs' from both your perspective and your neighbours.

Greenthing11

@Norman_Castle - brilliantly inventive!  

I could get one of those sky-scraper things and shimmy down the shed side from the roof  - hilarious.  

TripleH

Then with a mesh fence, what reason does he have to climb it?

For peace of mind, go to the land registry site and get his (and if you don't have access, your) title deeds to check when putting in a fence in case of differences etc, should be £3 each.

You will need to play by the book here to protect yourself.

m0bov

Get a handyman in to put up a proper fence and get him to paint your shed, it should be fine with a roller and telescopic arm.

Get said handyman to install some CCTV, reolink are cheap and good. If he is filming you in your garden and from his window, that is illegal and the Police should have a word with him. You could also speak to your local PCSO for advice.

I do think you need to get tough now.

Mr.Generous

macman said:

You need to cut out the personal stuff and stick to the facts. 'he doesn't work': how is that relevant? 'he has a police file': how can you know that? If he has a criminal record, then how is that relevant to a civil trespass? 'Filming from his window': he's entitled to  do so.
If you can't resolve this between you, then the only way is through a civil claim, which will be long and expensive. 

I'm not so sure macman, here's why ...

 

He doesn't work - he has little else to take up his time and energy and can devote as much time, effort and disgruntlement into this as he feels like. He can do stuff late at night or middle of the day while OP is at work / school run or whatever. He doesn't have to be up for work and can sneak about in the early hours if he wishes. Yes, others could too, but in my experience people with time on their hands devote more energy into things like petit disputes than those with busy lives.

 

Criminal record / police file - if it’s for harassment, trespass, threats of violence over parking etc. then I'd say its relevant. If its domestic violence, or sex offence then I'd say very relevant.

 

Filming from his window - legal yes, weirdo maybe a bit of a perv. I would never do this to any neighbour. As a male I'd particularly avoid doing anything like this where a female neighbour is involved.

Soot2006

You don't need access to his land. It's useful, yes, but not required. I put up my first ever fence, concrete posts and gravel board, because the neighbour was annoying me. So I just put up the panels on my land with a friend to help me. Now the neighbour can't really see me, so the scope for annoying me is much reduced. As for the shed. I mean, shed maintenance is nice, or, when it rots out completely, replace it with a plastic Keter type shed that will outlive us all. I know we're all reducing plastic usage, but that is a good use of plastic in my opinion, a small environmental crime. No maintenance required, ever again. And decent security mesh for any place you want hedge (or prevent access to the side of your shed). V-mesh panels are not all that easy to climb, but obviously one can look through so I'd ensure the hedge is nice and thick if you were going that route. Cut yourself off from this person, visually, and prevent any access to your property so that he can't make your business his business any more.