Neighbors new fence has a gate to my yard

[Anonymous]

I have a backyard that is sometimes used as a cut-through. Sort of annoying but not a big deal. So my neighbor who I have had absolutely no problems (and as far as I know does NOT use my yard as a cut-through) just put up a fence around his yard with a gate that goes to my yard. This gate would allow people to continue using my and my neighbors yard as such. Now technically the fence and gate is all on his property and completely within his rights. But I still find it a bit..I dunno...weird that he would do that without asking. Am I missing a reason he might want it there that only has to do with his own yard? Am I being totally nosey to even notice it's there? Would you be annoyed by it?

For the record, I don't plan to do or say anything about it except maybe some day build my own fence that would go right across the gate. But now I'm also wondering if THAT would be perceived as passive aggressive.

[Anonymous]

Put a lock on your side

[Anonymous]

That is soooo strange. WTF. Can you ask them about it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Put a lock on your side

I don't think that's legal? It's his gate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Put a lock on your side

This or a fence around that fence to block people. Our neighbors want to do that. I said no. They regularly come on our property and the point of a fence would be to keep them out.

[Anonymous]

Build your own fence next to it without a gate. I would not allow people to walk through my yard as a shortcut.

[Anonymous]

I am having a hard time picturing the logistics of this.

[Anonymous]

while I understand you don't want to create a tense situation, I do think you need to say something and document this. If you don't say a word it creates an opportunity to claim some sort of easement down the road.

I'm guessing you DON'T have a fence around your yard. Fences make for good neighbors. At the very least install a high wooden divider

[Anonymous]

Just put up your own fence. My neighbor and I have fences that are right up against each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is soooo strange. WTF. Can you ask them about it?

I am too conflict-avoidant and socially awkward. Hoping I can figure out an innocent story I can tell myself about why they did it

[Anonymous]

You have liability if someone is hurt on your property, OP. I'd talk to the neighbors about it and consider chaining and locking the gate. What type of fence is it? Anyone coming on your property uninvited is trespassing and neighbor is enabling that. WTH?

[Anonymous]

Wow. That IS strange. Before doing anything, I'd put a camera trained on that spot and observe for a while who actually uses the cut-through. If the neighbor doesn't use it at all then I feel you can put your own fence there, no questions asked, no offense taken. If the neighbor does use it... you'll have to politely warn him that you don't wish to be liable for any incidents on your property, and that's why you're putting up a fence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is soooo strange. WTF. Can you ask them about it?

I am too conflict-avoidant and socially awkward. Hoping I can figure out an innocent story I can tell myself about why they did it

A conversation and lock are MUCH cheaper than a fence, OP, but, pick your poison.

[Anonymous]

The neighbor may just be going along with what they see as an easement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Build your own fence next to it without a gate. I would not allow people to walk through my yard as a shortcut.

The weird thing is I see other people using my yard on occasion but have never once seen this particular neighbor cutting through so I'm really confused why. Maybe they view it as some sort of service to the neighborhood or something and didn't think to ask me?