Bit of an issue with neighbour...legal issue?

[dirty boy]

My neighbour has gone from being the perfect neighbour to a bit of a bellend in quite a short space of time.

In short, i'm the end house on a row of four terraced houses. My immediate neighbour has access "by day or by night" (that's what it says on deeds) and I have no issue with that whatsoever.

Recently, he seems to have taken umbrage with the fact that we lock that gate.

Given we have a shed with bikes and young children in the house and the rear of the house has access to the patio doors, I don't think it's unreasonable to lock that gate. If he exits the back, he can open it in exactly the same manner we have to. I'm not blocking it in any way, but I don't see why I should open myself up to potential unwanted guests.

Today the gate was left open all day (we knew he'd want his bins round) but he's taken a hammer to the gate and flattened the locks and bent the hook which I think is pretty off.

The other week, I caught him kicking it to open it. I rushed round to open it for him and got a verbal tirade "why the f**k is it locked, I need 24 hour access" I simply stated it's security.

Do I have any rights in this situation? Not trying to be a smart arse, just don't think it's safe having my back garden open to all and sundry.

[dirty boy]

Impasse said:

Give him a key?

This is what i'm thinking. They're only latch locks at the moment, so I assume i'm within my rights to put a proper lock on it and give him say two keys to get in?

[dirty boy]

The Spruce goose said:

you seem unreasonable, a combination lock would sort things.

That only works from one side, no different to putting a bolt across and more difficult for both of us.

[dirty boy]

mikees said:

I understand your feelings totally. But also his. You've bought the wrong house. Is it just a latch or bolt? Surely he and anyone else can open these. If so why bother.

Not sure there is an easy solution.

Nothing has changed? We bought the house with a gate that is locked from the garden side (6 years ago may I add). We extended the house and have recently put the gate back on and he seems to have decided he doesn't like it being back. He's changed completely since he met a woman and got married and she moved in.

It's a simple garden gate. You lock it from the garden side to stop people wandering into your back garden with a bolt across? Of course he and anyone else can open it - from the garden. It would require climbing over otherwise, which is hopefully a bit of a simple deterrent and security measure. < is that unreasonable?

[dirty boy]

mikees said:

P

dirty boy said:

mikees said:

I understand your feelings totally. But also his. You've bought the wrong house. Is it just a latch or bolt? Surely he and anyone else can open these. If so why bother.

Not sure there is an easy solution.

Nothing has changed? We bought the house with a gate that is locked from the garden side (6 years ago may I add). We extended the house and have recently put the gate back on and he seems to have decided he doesn't like it being back. He's changed completely since he met a woman and got married and she moved in.

It's a simple garden gate. You lock it from the garden side to stop people wandering into your back garden with a bolt across? Of course he and anyone else can open it - from the garden. It would require climbing over otherwise, which is hopefully a bit of a simple deterrent and security measure. < is that unreasonable?

No it isn't. If it's a bolt then don't see his problem. Unless he's used to just walking past with bags of shopping. Still not the end of the world for him. If it used to be like that then it looks like he now has an issue as you say. Some people are strange.

I'm about to have some of my trees topped to give neighbour more light and we're going halves! Trying to keep a good relationship going. Have you asked him or is he too shouty?

Good luck

Like I said, he used to be fine. I trimmed his hedge, i've brought his bins round, all sorts. It's a bolt...I really really cannot see his problem, he only used the access for bins..

I get on fine with everyone else, he's just turned into Mr Grumpy over the reintroduction of the gate (which is the same gate that was here when we moved in, just painted a nice colour!)

[dirty boy]

I'm fully prepared to back down here if people think I'm being unreasonable, which appears to be the consensus here.

I don't see that there's a lack of communication because all I've done is put things back as they were. He's then gone and kicked it in and then hammered them off the week after.

How am I meant to 'communicate' with a someone who's not even attempted to speak to me before taking actions? I don't think it's normal behaviour, I certainly wouldn't dream of it.

[dirty boy]

ikarl said:

dirty boy said:

I'm fully prepared to back down here if people think I'm being unreasonable, which appears to be the consensus here.

I don't see that there's a lack of communication because all I've done is put things back as they were. He's then gone and kicked it in and then hammered them off the week after.

How am I meant to 'communicate' with a someone who's not even attempted to speak to me before taking actions? I don't think it's normal behaviour, I certainly wouldn't dream of it.

You don't see this? (part in bold)

How am I meant to 'communicate?' Erm, very easily. Go round apologise for the lock thing, say you didn't see it from his point of view. YOU didn't communicate with him in the first place, hence his reaction.

then discuss a new lock that can be opened from both sides, either with a key or whatever and make sure he has plenty of copies of the key etc.

I appreciate there was a lack of judgement on my part at reinstating the gate that was there before I moved in. However, is his reaction justified?

I'll speak to him. I've also had a call from my mate who's a solicitor and took a look at my deeds for me and said a bolt is absolutely fine as long as he has access to that bolt (which he does, the same way as I do) there's no problem and I'm well within my rights to secure the property.

[dirty boy]

shouldbworking said:

Given you can either fit a lock that is at an easier position to open for both of your benefit, or leave it as is and have a pissed off neighbour, I don't think it's a difficult decision.

Also, try talking to him.

I'll have a go.

[dirty boy]

227bhp said:

OP, go and look up the meaning of a little word; empathy.
Try to understand it and practice it as it's sadly lacking in today's society.

Are you being ironic on purpose?

[dirty boy]

Andehh said:

GO round with a crate of beer, apologies profusely for the miss understanding and ask him if he has any suggestion son improving security but without hindering him? Suggest some of the options above & see if he takes kindly to any of them in particular?

Seems like the only logical option.

[dirty boy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

More to do with expensive bikes, toddler etc if I'm honest, hence I was keen to put the gate back where it was.

I'll have a chat.

[dirty boy]

I don't really want to return to this as it seems to be going in circles somewhat, however, he has access across my garden, the other middle neighbour has access across the garden of the house the other end.

I pulled up on my drive a few days ago and he was out cleaning his car. Before I had turned the engine off, he'd gone indoors.

I tapped on the door a couple of time and he didn't answer. He's gone on holiday now anyway, so I'm going to break into his shed and steal all of his belongings and simply blame it on the lack of security.

He left all the car cleaning stuff out, so had simply avoided me.

It's a BOLT. Not a lock for avoidance of doubt.

[dirty boy]

blindswelledrat said:

Is it a bolt that you can reach over and undo from the front?
That would be another solutions if not. Gives the illusion of security which is all you are after (given that a simple gate can be climbed anyway)

Yes.

Well, he can reach, I can reach, his wife the dumpling cannot (at a guess).

[dirty boy]

schmunk said:

Do you have enough garden to lose a couple of feet and make an alleyway?

At the bottom and edge yes, but where the gate is, no.

Plus it's a 150ft walk to the bottom of the garden.