Neighbours cutting down my hedge

ladybirdbaby1

Hello,
I know this is not a new complaint but I am utterly at a loss of how to deal with it.

We have moved in 6montgs ago and I started to plant beech hedge saplings to make a privacy hedge as we live on a busy main road and our house is very exposed. This hedge is well within our land.

Soon after, the hedge that is on the neighbours side was cut down to about half the height. We tried calling into the neighbours a number of times but they wouldn't answer the front door (they were in), so we wrote a simple but civil letter asking them to please feel free to cut the hedge if it went into their garden, but to refrain from cutting the top. We received a really nasty letter back from them denying that they had done it.

It's true we hadn't seen them cut it down, but they had been very upset that we planted it and one day I can home to find the husband bent over our fence trying to snap off the whole hedge. According to our other neighbours they have cut down trees inside our back garden before we moved in (there is a convenient hole in the back hedge for them to access our back garden, we have put up chicken wire..) They also have a immaculate lawn and are obsessed with trimming in their own garden. We have also had them swear at our polish builders for about three hours. They are very odd.

More recently, the same young saplings to the front are being snapped to the exact same height. Every other day there are less survivors. I still suspect the neighbours and not randomer passerbys.

The Garda told me I need to set up a camera and catch them🙄🙄🙄 iwAnt a hedge not a fight...

Any advice most welcome!!!

Lumen

Follow Garda advice, gather definitive evidence and then get a solicitor involved on the civil side.

Outrageous behaviour.

If they are doing this, you're dealing with lunatics.

CeilingFly

Aldi / Lidl do cheap cameras regularly - you can also get cheap kits online.

Make sure they see you installing it and make sure that it does not point into their property.

Maybe see if you can contact the previous owners and ask if there was any difficulty.

jippo nolan

CeilingFly wrote: »

Aldi / Lidl do cheap cameras regularly - you can also get cheap kits online.

Make sure they see you installing it and make sure that it does not point into their property.

Maybe see if you can contact the previous owners and ask if there was any difficulty.

The previous owners probably “ran to the hills”

Squiggle

Do yourself a favour OP and put up a panel fence or build a wall to give yourself privacy. Your neighbours sound like the type of people that you can't win with and they will continue with taking liberties. Life is too short to have to deal with ongoing hassle with them. Block them out imo.

_Brian

We had a similar neighbor move in beside us years ago.

Kept cutting back hedge, breaking plants, I had two young kids and just didn’t want a lifetime struggle against them as they were known to be trouble.

We had been thinking of moving but this spurred us on so we left.


I really don’t know how your going to come to any sort of resolution to this, these people are unreasonable and only want things their way.

You can get a camera up cheap enough, even brig the guards the evidence. But it’s unlikely to stop people like that chipping away at stuff.

jmBuildExt

Squiggle wrote: »

Do yourself a favour OP and put up a panel fence or build a wall to give yourself privacy. Your neighbours sound like the type of people that you can't win with and they will continue with taking liberties. Life is too short to have to deal with ongoing hassle with them. Block them out imo.

Just be careful here... any wall/fence over 1.2m (to the front of the house) needs planning. 1.2m of a fence prob wont be enough t stop them bending over.

Melodeon

ladybirdbaby1 wrote: »

More recently, the same young saplings to the front are being snapped to the exact same height. Every other day there are less survivors. I still suspect the neighbours and not randomer passerbys.

I'm afraid I can be of no used regarding your obnoxious neighbours, but I'm wondering if perhaps the damage you mention above might be attributed to hares?
It sounds like fairly classic hare damage: multiple (but random) young saplings all nipped off at the same height.
Is the damage all at about 30-60cm high, neatly diagonally snipped, something like this?:

magicbastarder

according to the OP:

one day I can home to find the husband bent over our fence trying to snap off the whole hedge

have2flushtwice

Why don't you dump your grass on his lawn, ljusf once, and the hen he comes out tell him to leave your hedge alone, you have a photo and you will pass to guards if any more is damage is done?

beertons

Why would they need to go into your back garden?

ladybirdbaby1

_Brian wrote: »

We had a similar neighbor move in beside us years ago.

Kept cutting back hedge, breaking plants, I had two young kids and just didn’t want a lifetime struggle against them as they were known to be trouble.

We had been thinking of moving but this spurred us on so we left.


I really don’t know how your going to come to any sort of resolution to this, these people are unreasonable and only want things their way.

You can get a camera up cheap enough, even brig the guards the evidence. But it’s unlikely to stop people like that chipping away at stuff.

The unfortunate thing is we just moved here.... to get away from obnoxious neighbours😱😱 the problem could be us????

ladybirdbaby1

beertons wrote: »

Why would they need to go into your back garden?

Eaxctly

ladybirdbaby1

jippo nolan wrote: »

The previous owners probably “ran to the hills”

She died of old age, but I'm told had many issues with these people

ladybirdbaby1

Squiggle wrote: »

Do yourself a favour OP and put up a panel fence or build a wall to give yourself privacy. Your neighbours sound like the type of people that you can't win with and they will continue with taking liberties. Life is too short to have to deal with ongoing hassle with them. Block them out imo.

This would be ideal but it's the front of the house!

ladybirdbaby1

Melodeon wrote: »

I'm afraid I can be of no used regarding your obnoxious neighbours, but I'm wondering if perhaps the damage you mention above might be attributed to hares?
It sounds like fairly classic hare damage: multiple (but random) young saplings all nipped off at the same height.
Is the damage all at about 30-60cm high, neatly diagonally snipped, something like this?:

Thank you for this suggestion, I do wish it was hares but being in a heavily suburban main road, I doubt it. Also, there appears to be a system to the snapping... 😧

El Tarangu

have2flushtwice wrote: »

Why don't you dump your grass on his lawn, ljusf once, and the hen he comes out tell him to leave your hedge alone, you have a photo and you will pass to guards if any more is damage is done?

- don't do this.

Camera, OP. Like the other poster said, make sure that you make a big show of installing it so that they know it is there.

Melodeon

magicbastarder wrote: »

according to the OP:

ladybirdbaby1 wrote: »

Thank you for this suggestion, I do wish it was hares but being in a heavily suburban main road, I doubt it. Also, there appears to be a system to the snapping... ��

Ah, I read the OP as meaning that there were 2 different hedges being interfered with: one at the neighbour's side, and another at the front.
The neighbour has obviously been witnessed messing with the one on their side, but the perpetrators of the damage to the front one are as yet unknown. Or at least, unproven.
Young saplings cut/broken randomly at uniform heights sound like classic hare damage, so I threw the notion out for consideration.
Given the circumstances, it's almost certainly human activity, but hares aren't unheard of in suburbia either.

Catching the vandals in the act or on CCTV appears to be the only realistic option if the OP wishes to establish a hedge, unfortunately.

Shaunoc

El Tarangu wrote:

Camera, OP. Like the other poster said, make sure that you make a big show of installing it so that they know it is there.

They will take the camera, unless you place it well outta reach. I use one and batteries need changing regularly so you can't put it somewhere too crazy

sbsquarepants

Squiggle wrote: »

Do yourself a favour OP and put up a panel fence or build a wall to give yourself privacy. Your neighbours sound like the type of people that you can't win with and they will continue with taking liberties. Life is too short to have to deal with ongoing hassle with them. Block them out imo.

If I was you OP I'd go with the fence idea. Stick it up and put the hedges or climbers of some sort on your own side to cover it if you don't like the look.

Then, and only then, would I draw a giant cock in weed killer on that immaculate lawn:D

bertsmom

sbsquarepants wrote:

Then, and only then, would I draw a giant cock in weed killer on that immaculate lawn

That's a brilliant ideaðŸ˜

wexie

sbsquarepants wrote: »

Then, and only then, would I draw a giant cock in weed killer on that immaculate lawn:D

Made me think of this



Still on Google Maps today

gmisk

Would you consider one of those recharging motion sensor lights as well?

Really crappy thing to do tbh, lots of cheap camera on amazon etc.

Alanstrainor

Shaunoc wrote: »

They will take the camera, unless you place it well outta reach. I use one and batteries need changing regularly so you can't put it somewhere too crazy

The camera could be put inside the house if there is a view to the problem area. Once you have them in your garden and at the hedge then you have them. There's lots of cheap IP cameras available these days. And even outdoor cameras can be had cheap enough:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/YI-Surveillance-Wireless-Weatherproof-Detection/dp/B0776V3CG5/ref=sr_1_47

That would be my approach OP.

CruelCoin

ladybirdbaby1 wrote: »

The unfortunate thing is we just moved here.... to get away from obnoxious neighbours���� the problem could be us????

If everyone else is an asshole, you are the asshole!

But no, sounds like they're just nutbags.

Get a set of cameras. I got some "Arlo" ones, and i'm very happy with it. Online clip recording, notifications to your phone, live viewing via your mobile, no wires, etc.
Pricey enough system though.

Build some evidence against them, the hares, yeti, whatever.

Flippyfloppy

An electric fence! If only!

dr.fuzzenstein

Hide behind the fence and wait for neighbour to lean over.
Grab his hand, jump up and yell "leave my stuff alone" in his face.
Don't forget maniacal laughter as he scarpers.
If no one else saw it, deny everything and the neighbour will look crazy when he tells the story.
To make story even more unbelievable, wear a Harlequin costume.

ladybirdbaby1

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Hide behind the fence and wait for neighbour to lean over.
Grab his hand, jump up and yell "leave my stuff alone" in his face.
Don't forget maniacal laughter as he scarpers.
If no one else saw it, deny everything and the neighbour will look crazy when he tells the story.
To make story even more unbelievable, wear a Harlequin costume.

This is exactly what I'll do! 🀣

ladybirdbaby1

sbsquarepants wrote: »

If I was you OP I'd go with the fence idea. Stick it up and put the hedges or climbers of some sort on your own side to cover it if you don't like the look.

Then, and only then, would I draw a giant cock in weed killer on that immaculate lawn:D

And then deny it was me 🀣

gmisk

Flippyfloppy wrote: »

An electric fence! If only!

Naw that wouldnt work sure those wont even keep out a roaming t-rex!

RebelButtMunch

Make sure that the camera is only focused on your garden. He could compain if the camera monitors his private space.

https://www.dataprotection.ie/docs/Case_Study_8_-_2005/327.htm

https://www.dataprotection.ie/docs/Data_Protection_&_CCTV/242.htm

Flippyfloppy

If little saplings are annoying him imagine how he'd feel to look out one day and discover you've planted mature Leylandi (fast growing trees, cause of many a neighbourly disputed) across the divide. Jus sayin!

CJhaughey

I wouldn't use weedkiller, plenty of High Nitrogen fertiliser will cause no damage but result in plenty of work to keep it cut back.
Especially if it is in some areas and not in others...;)
http://www.gouldings.ie/our-products/fertiliser/sweetgrass-fertiliser/

Graces7

ladybirdbaby1 wrote: »

The unfortunate thing is we just moved here.... to get away from obnoxious neighbours���� the problem could be us????

(((HUGS))))and no it is NOT you. Please be sure of that.

Graces7

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Hide behind the fence and wait for neighbour to lean over.
Grab his hand, jump up and yell "leave my stuff alone" in his face.
Don't forget maniacal laughter as he scarpers.
If no one else saw it, deny everything and the neighbour will look crazy when he tells the story.
To make story even more unbelievable, wear a Harlequin costume.

LOVE it!

Graces7

sbsquarepants wrote: »

If I was you OP I'd go with the fence idea. Stick it up and put the hedges or climbers of some sort on your own side to cover it if you don't like the look.

Then, and only then, would I draw a giant cock in weed killer on that immaculate lawn:D

How about giant brambles and nettles along the fence?

Some ideas here. https://www.best4hedging.co.uk/blog/2015/03/stay-safe-with-spikey-security-top-5-intruder-proof-hedges/

Lumen

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Some ideas here. https://www.best4hedging.co.uk/blog/2015/03/stay-safe-with-spikey-security-top-5-intruder-proof-hedges/

Double edged sword though. Literally.

riemann

I feel for you OP. Thankfully I've been lucky with neighbours but I don't know what I'd do if I ever ended up living beside a ****.

One thing I would suggest is that the softly softly nicey nicey approach won't work. A camera is no harm but it's not easy to identity someone in a hoodie at night.

It's never easy but (s)he needs to know that he's dealing with a complete ****ing maniac.

First I'd buy round up and spray is on his lovely hedge and all over his lawn just for lols. Rince and repeat.

Then, I'd get my shovel and one night dig up your back garden and "bury" a body shaped object in bin liners. To complete the narrative get one of your mates to call to his one day looking for his friend who "was last seen in the area".

A lot of work but he will not think of you as a soft touch anymore, thats for sure.

looksee

Goodness there do be some very creative imaginations behind those screens!

beertons

Dogs. He won't be as quick to stick a hand over the fence. And they might even patch up the hole, to stop the dogs going into their garden to relieve themselves.

listermint

Send him a solicitors letter indicating you will take them to court for damage to your property and then see if he touches it again

Squeaksoutloud

Lidl had a game surveillance camera on special last week only..you might get it in store still. This one..

https://www.google.ie/search?q=Lidl+game+camera&client=ms-android-huawei&prmd=simvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj83vv7mK7aAhWMesAKHb-VAggQ_AUIEigC&biw=360&bih=524#imgrc=RsYwqb8qwNUIkM:

Lantus

I would get a good boundary in the back garden if not already at 2m height.

As for front. Mmmm.

These people have excessive time and tendencies and light and lawn are their gods. You probably won't reason with them.

Cameras could be an idea. Planning for a higher wall. Concrete steel reinforced and about 250mm thick?

Some kind of obnoxious smell that gets sprayed every time they interfere with your hedge?

Some sort of lower structure that is sharp or difficult to negotiate?

dr.fuzzenstein

^^^^
Anti deer fence might work

tayto lover

I'd have great fun with that family.
Oh the things I can dream up ....:D

barman linen

RebelButtMunch wrote: »

Make sure that the camera is only focused on your garden. He could compain if the camera monitors his private space.

https://www.dataprotection.ie/docs/Case_Study_8_-_2005/327.htm

https://www.dataprotection.ie/docs/Data_Protection_&_CCTV/242.htm

Not unless that space could be reasonably seen from the location of the camera - or a person standing in that space. This case sets quite a precedent in CCTV camera positioning

http://www.tjmcintyre.com/2006/05/high-court-gives-disappointing.html

http://www.courts.ie/judgments.nsf/bce24a8184816f1580256ef30048ca50/9bd14182c49347be8025713300410c9c?OpenDocument

my3cents

Given the history of these neighbors I'd put up a dummy camera obviously overlooking the hedge and a real camera hidden watching the dummy camera.

khaldrogo

Graces7 wrote:

(((HUGS))))and no it is NOT you. Please be sure of that.

How do you know?

iPhone.

tayto lover wrote: »

I'd have great fun with that family.
Oh the things I can dream up ....:D

Love to distribute a kilo bag of wild meadow flower seed over the top of the ruined hedge onto their lawn some breezy night

smacl

Far less imaginative than some of the others I'm afraid, but I'd tend to put a heavy duty 2m chain link or wire-mesh fence around your boundary and plant your hedge of choice on the inside of it. Bland on their side, attractive on yours, and also covers any gaps in the boundary that allow unwanted intrusion.