A fed-up individual says they’ve already ended up on the wrong side of their new neighbours after refusing to allow them to ‘borrow’ their garden for a few hours each day
For many, a back garden is a place of refuge from the world – a little slice of nature where you can forget about any worries or awkward altercations.
It’s therefore perfectly understandable that not everyone would be comfortable with letting a neighbour ‘borrow’ their personal piece of paradise, let alone one they’d only just met. Unfortunately, one woman has recently been left navigating a very uncomfortable situation with her new neighbours following a garden-related dispute, and fears things may have already soured between them.
According to this woman, who is in her thirties, she and her partner have a fully fenced garden complete with a privacy fence The new family, comprised of a couple, a five-year-old daughter and a dog, are on a waiting list for a privacy fence, but it may take many months to be installed.
Last weekend, the homeowner ended up chatting with the couple, who had an unusual proposition for her. Taking to Reddit, she recalled: “They said they would really like their daughter and dog to have a place to run around but didn’t feel comfortable with the lack of fence (our neighbourhood backs up to a wooded area and a creek).
“They asked if they could borrow our [garden] for a few hours a day so they could let everyone run worry-free. I admittedly immediately didn’t like this, but I told them I would think about it.”
After talking it over with her partner, however, they decided the idea was a no-go. With two dogs, one of whom ‘doesn’t love kids’ and the other who can be ‘a tad dog selective’, the potential for something to go horribly wrong just felt too great. Unfortunately, their new neighbours were pretty miffed after learning they’d made their mind up, responding with a savagely sarcastic remark.
Reaching out to fellow Reddit users for their thoughts on the matter, she continued: “The guy stopped by again on Wednesday and asked if we had given it any thought. I told him we had discussed it, and unfortunately, it just wasn’t going to work out with our dogs and their schedule so we wouldn’t be able to accommodate them.
“He immediately got sour and said it was nice to know how neighbourly we were. He left abruptly but I could hear him muttering under his breath. He and his wife have made a big show of snuffing us the last couple of days. My partner says they will get over it, and while I’m not going to reconsider, I do feel kind of guilty.”
Reassuring them they’d done absolutely nothing wrong, one person commented: “Hey put you in a very odd position, and I think they knew that. Also who has ever heard of a waiting list for getting a fence put in? Call another contractor. It is your yard, this is like me knocking on your door and saying your bathroom has a better view and asking if I can take a s***.”
Another advised: “You have valid concerns about your dogs’ behaviour and the potential risks involved. It’s understandable that you’re not comfortable allowing your neighbours to use your yard. Your decision prioritises the safety and well-being of your pets and your own peace of mind.”
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