Here’s a summary:
I’ve been renting this place for 6 months
It’s a back to back house
I’m facing the main road
The back of the house is on a cul de sac street
No driveway at the front and can’t park on the main road, so my designated spot is on the driveway round back
Same situation for my detached neighbour, so we share a side gate which we use to get to our vehicles
Many of the residents who live on the cul de sac use the side gate as a cut through when walking to the shops, as it saves them about 1 minute walking this way as opposed to walking the main pathway up the cul de sac and around
When they cut through they walk through my front garden, and sometimes stare in at me while I’m sat in my living room
I’ve never spoken to these residents so they’re basically strangers
When I was coming home one day I kindly asked a woman and her boy not to use my garden to cut through, as they were walking past and didn’t acknowledge me to say hello or anything which is what annoyed me
She had attitude and said they’ve always used it as a cut through, but won’t in future
I seen today the same woman cutting through again
Even though I haven’t had any trouble with these residents, it’s been bothering me and not sure how to proceed and can see things potentially escalating as I plan to tell other residents not to use it if I’m out there and catch them
It feels like an invasion of privacy and inconsiderate of local residents to think my garden is a public right of way without ever speaking to me and asking for my permission to use
Don’t want to put a lock on the gate as it’s a hassle with the neighbour having to use it also
Am I the asshole for thinking like this?
EDIT: Thanks for all the replies. I’ve ordered a sign which will hopefully get the message across. If not I will have to look at installing a lock.
NTA but I’d definitely be putting signs and a lock on that gate and handing the neighbor the other key, or looking into putting a locking handle on the gate somehow, that locks automatically and opens to a code or something.
NTA Making your private property a shortcut impacts your privacy and also potentially increases your risk of criminal activity if you don’t know who’s a neighbor vs who is a person possibly looking to steal or commit a crime
Yeah that makes sense because it really is just about basic privacy and knowing who is on your property.
Safety as well. Depending on where they live they could be responsible if someone were to hurt themselves on OP’s property.
It also exposes you to potential liability if someone is injured on your property. No trespassing sign, followed by a lock if needed. Plus a security cam. There are inexpensive wireless ones, easy to remove and take with you when you move.
NTA. Get a combination lock and give the combination to your neighbor.
Just get one of the keypad locks. Give the code to your neighbor. Problem solved.
I have one of those a few things of mine so friends or repair people can get access.
Even better if it’s a fingerprint one so it opens really easily and doesn’t cause OP or the neighbour hassle.
Alternatively use a chain with two padlocks being links in the chain, each of you having keys to only one of them. Then you know if the neighbor is enabling it.
Put a sign up saying authorised access only. Trespassers will be prosecuted.
Tell the one neighbour who is allowed that they are the only authorised person.
Give it a month, then put a lock on, giving the authorised neighbour a key.
NTA. Put a combination lock on and give the neighbour the combination.
Get a lock and share the key with your neighbor. Then get a no trespassing sign in mounted on the gate. If you see anybody hopping over to use your yard as a shortcut call the police and have them trespassed. It’s a safety issue and a privacy issue for you and they have no right to be doing that.
Info have you spoken to your landlord about this? He may have given the permission or there may be some type of easement.
I mentioned it to the estate agents who agreed with me that it’s not a public right of way as they have to walk up the driveway and then through the garden.
They suggested I put a lock on the gate, which I said I will monitor the situation and if there’s any trouble I may end up doing.