Bear in mind, they’re probably totally unaware of the arrangement / deeds.

Why not invite them round for a barbecue, get a charcoalburger and a glass of wine inside them and then drop it into conversation?

“Meant to say, watch out for those steps, they’re lethal. We should probably put a fence panel in place of that gate in fact, it’s only there to provide us with right of access and we never use it. What do you think?” They’ll either agree or ask about their right of way, in which case you can explain.

Just, y’know, be subtle. If you think the entire reason for inviting them over is just an excuse to tell them to GTFO, it might backfire.

I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t fancy folk (neighbours or otherwise) wandering through my garden whenever they fancied. Hard to say without seeing the gardens / driveways, but it sounds like a right cheek to assume you can just wander through someone’s back garden without asking. Although they possibly misunderstood solicitors advice when buying house and think they have reciprocal access.

If you don’t use the gate then use some polite excuse as per above that you’re locking / removing it altogether. Do it in person with a smile and I’m sure all neighborliness can be retained.

It’s only a matter of time until the Hoff has a concert to try and bring down the Gate.

They are renting? Ask the landlord to explain the situation to them?

I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t fancy folk (neighbours or otherwise) wandering through my garden whenever they fancied. Hard to say without seeing the gardens / driveways, but it sounds like a right cheek to assume you can just wander through someone’s back garden without asking

When we were looking at houses earlier this year one of them had the same sort of set up as this, it was a nice house but went off the shortlist purely for this reason.

I thought it’s got future arguments written all over it if the neighbours turn out to be dicks. Even if they weren’t people die or move house so didnt want to risk it as I knew it would annoy me.

Surely if you just leave the steps as they are, the problem will sort itself one way or another.

I’m confused as to why they would ever think they had a right to enter your garden in the first place? Is it ‘obvioulsy’ your garden or some overgrown grassy path behind a fence?

I’m confused as to why they would ever think they had a right to enter your garden in the first place?

Because there is a gate.

If you put a gate in a fence it’s almost like saying “open me and come through”

I’m confused as to why they would ever think they had a right to enter your garden in the first place?

I’m guessing because there is a gate there, and it allows access to the other road. Seems a reasonable assumption that it is to allow each house quicker access to the other road.

If you lock the gate there’s a good chance you’ll get a complaint from the neighbour that you are denying them access. At that point you could whip out your deed and explain

Or, leave the gate as is. Put up a hasty and home made gate with solintery wood, nails sticking out and no obvious handle at the bottom of the steps plastered with warnings about unsafe steps in danger of collapse, risk of death do not use, at own risk etc. Add caution tape for a finishing touch.

I might just dig a pit and line it with pungee sticks. That’ll sort ’em (and probably my wife and I as we fall down the steps).

At that point you could whip out your deed and explain

I would like it put on the record for posterity that at no point did I try to whip anything out, officer.

Pah, don’t people suggest “own them with your Bombers” anymore?

Standards people, standards.

I might just dig a pit and line it with pungee sticks.

Just don’t line it with pungee twigs, or you won’t be taken seriously.

Do they definitely not have the access over you land? It may not be mentioned on your deeds but that doesn’t mean it isn’t on their deeds.

Do they definitely not have the access over you land? It may not be mentioned on your deeds but that doesn’t mean it isn’t on their deeds.

Yep, I have checked their title as well just to make sure I didn’t come across as an even greater arse than I am already!

Buy a goose, they’re right bastards and your neighbour will simply stop using the gate. The downside is that you’ll own a goose.

‘Why are we going this way Michael?’