[Kay1]

So we have new neighbours. They seem very nice. Two boys a bit older than ours. They play soccer and cricket in their yard and in the park behind us. The other day I saw one of them jump the fence into our pool area to retrieve a football. I asked him to ring the doorbell next time and I'd be happy to get it for him but please don't jump the fence. Its not good for the fence and I don't like kids going in the pool area without my knowledge for obvious reasons.

Today another boy (playing at the same neighbours') wandered right down our (long) driveway and into our backyard (gate was open). I looked up and saw someone in our yard - I was friendly to him but told him the same thing.

So WDYT? I think its terribly rude to just go onto someone else's property and I always make my kids go and ring the doorbell. If there's no one home they wait until they come home and try again.

I am always very friendly to the kids who do ring the bell (went through this with the last lot) but I don't appreciate people appearing in my backyard unannounced. I am a pretty private person, and we are not averse to a quick nudie cool down swim in our family.....

This post has been edited by Kay1: 28/11/2012, 03:29 PM

[fancie]

I'm with you, OP. Definitely ask permission first.

Front yard? Help yourself.

Back yard? Ask first.

[RunawayPrincess]

I would definitely not be happy with that either.

[squeekums]

Rude!
Thanfully no one will ever do that here cos,
Puppy says NO!

[Phascogale]

I wouldn'tbe happyabout it and would do the same as you. However at the last place they lived they may have had that sort of freedom with the neighbours property and assumed you would be the same. They may not have known any different which is why you set them straight.

[marley*and*me]

Meh issue for me. I would just wave and yell out hello.

Saves me having to get their stuff all the time if they can do it themselves. But that is just me.

[bakesgirls]

Rude. Tell them next time they do it, that if it happens again, you will speak to their parents.

I would like to be asked first if someone needs to access my back yard, I expect my children to ask permission also if they needs to retrieve something from someone elses yard. If the person who lives there is not at home, I expect them to wait and try again later.

[BadCat]

Wouldn't bother me at all. In fact I've told the kids over the back that they can jump the fence and get their ball any time they like. They still come and knock on the door though. I imagine their parents insist on it. It's a pain in the bum. I'd prefer they didn't bother me.

[kpingitquiet]

This is why we have big dogs

[suziej]

Absolutely it is rude - tell them, mention in passing to the parents "I hope you don't mind, but I advised your kids to always knock to come into the back yard - could you please follow up on this", reiterate by having gates closed.

As you have a pool, you would, I assume, have some liability should anything happen - it is better to be safe than sorry.