'Neighbours let kids play in my garden without permission - they won't stop'

Wales Online

2 days ago

'Neighbours let kids play in my garden without permission - they won't stop'
The homeowner asked her neighbours to stop letting their kids play in her garden - they called her "unreasonable"
Neighbours keep letting their kids play in my garden without asking
(Image: SolStock via Getty Images)
A homeowner has expressed her frustration after her neighbours repeatedly allowed their children to play in her garden without permission, leaving her at a loss for what to do. Seeking guidance on Reddit, the woman shared that when she confronted her neighbours about the issue, they labelled her "unreasonable" and insisted they should be able to send their kids over without checking first.
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She explained that she has invested "a lot of time and effort" into creating a "peaceful oasis" in her garden for her family's enjoyment. Despite this, her neighbours, who have three young children, seem to think it's acceptable to let their kids use her garden as their playground without seeking consent.
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The woman recounted how the neighbours "claim that it's just harmless fun, and the kids enjoy our garden." She noted that while she isn't opposed to sharing her space on occasion, she would much prefer it if they asked for permission beforehand.
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In her Reddit post, the user said: "My next-door neighbours have three young children who are always full of energy. Lately, they've been letting their kids play in our backyard without asking for our permission. They claim that it's just harmless fun, and the kids enjoy our garden," reports the Mirror.
"Here's the thing: I don't mind sharing our space occasionally, but they've been doing this without any notice or asking for our consent. It's become a frequent occurrence, and it's starting to disrupt our peace and damage some of our plants and decorations."
The homeowner said her neighbours let their kids into her garden without permission and won't stop
(Image: Getty)
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She further mentioned that when she approached the neighbours to discuss the matter, she encountered opposition. Her neighbours "seemed offended" and said she was "being unreasonable."
She added: "They argued that it's a shared space since our yards are adjacent." Concluding the post, she wrote: "I just want to maintain some control over my own space and ensure it's respected. Or am I overreacting, and should I be more lenient with the neighbour kids?"
The post garnered thousands of responses, with many siding with the woman's desire to keep her garden private. Suggestions poured in about erecting fences to limit access, while others pondered how the neighbours would react if the roles were reversed.
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Amongst the feedback, concerns were voiced regarding potential injuries to the children on the woman's property. One person said: "If one of those kids gets injured on your property while playing without proper supervision, you could be held liable."
Another added: "I'm not a lawyer, but I'd be concerned if one of the kids hurt themselves and any liability you may have, especially if you're not home. What if they break something, will they replace it.
"No and each time you see them playing without permission tell them to leave or escort them home. You may need to get a fence."
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A third added: "This is a liability. Build a fence. You don't want to be sued if their kids injure themselves on your property."