[rubicon]

I'm stuck on the fact that a homeowner is going to be required to ask permission and provide a timeline to either maintain, inspect, enjoy one side of his/her home?

[BRN_RI_FL]

Courtyard villas are often purchased for a little more security and privacy. Many owners often have dogs roaming the small yard. Our beagle would lick the neighbor to death. Other dogs might not be as friendly. For a neighbor to just open the gate and inspect their exterior wall without letting their neighbor know first shows no consideration for their neighbor.

[jane032657]

I think this discussion is going off track. We have a courtyard villa but are at a dead end, so do not have a neighbor on our gate side, and do not have an issue about anyone needing to get in our yard.

We do have a neighbor with a gate where we would need to access if we had an issue on the East side of our house. On may occasions, due to a gutter repair, power wash, screen issue, we have had to ask for access to address the repair. Never has this been an issue. Our new neighbor does lock their gate. I have already had a discussion about access when needed so we have an understanding before the need arises.

It would never occur to me to open their gate if it was not locked and walk into their yard. That is their private space whether or not we have the right to enter for a need for our own home. Additionally, many single people live in courtyard villas and desire extra security.

It is common courtesy to knock on a neighbor's door and let them know you will need to get in their backyard. Most repairs are planned out. If it was an emergency, hopefully you have the relationship where they would let you in right away or have given you a contact number if they do not live there year round.

Most people are civil and reasonable and accommodating. And for safety for the purpose of needing to access your neighbors yard, remember that many people buy courtyard villas because they have dogs. We have two very large dogs. While friendly, I would suggest you ring the bell first...

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by jane032657

I think this discussion is going off track. We have a courtyard villa but are at a dead end, so do not have a neighbor on our gate side, and do not have an issue about anyone needing to get in our yard.

We do have a neighbor with a gate where we would need to access if we had an issue on the East side of our house. On may occasions, due to a gutter repair, power wash, screen issue, we have had to ask for access to address the repair. Never has this been an issue. Our new neighbor does lock their gate. I have already had a discussion about access when needed so we have an understanding before the need arises.

It would never occur to me to open their gate if it was not locked and walk into their yard. That is their private space whether or not we have the right to enter for a need for our own home. Additionally, many single people live in courtyard villas and desire extra security.

It is common courtesy to knock on a neighbor's door and let them know you will need to get in their backyard. Most repairs are planned out. If it was an emergency, hopefully you have the relationship where they would let you in right away or have given you a contact number if they do not live there year round.

Most people are civil and reasonable and accommodating. And for safety for the purpose of needing to access your neighbors yard, remember that many people buy courtyard villas because they have dogs. We have two very large dogs. While friendly, I would suggest you ring the bell first...

Well said. These posts make all of us think and rethink what is respectful and reasonable in an ever changing world.

[Boomer]

If your neighbor can get in so can anybody else........

If I were you, I would lock the gate. (I probably would have been doing that from the day I moved in though.)

Your neighbor has assumed it's OK to waltz right in so you should let him know. I would graciously tell him the gate is locked and that he is welcome to check his house but now will need to contact you first. No need to escalate the situation, just explain and offer access with permission.

(I have been around TOTV way too long and seem to remember old topics sometimes. Wasn't there a discussion a few years ago about courtyard gates being tried by an unknown person who might have been looking for a spot to break in, unseen?)

[jsw14]

Originally Posted by Boomer

If your neighbor can get in so can anybody else........

If I were you, I would lock the gate. (I probably would have been doing that from the day I moved in though.)

Your neighbor has assumed it's OK to waltz right in so you should let him know. I would graciously tell him the gate is locked and that he is welcome to check his house but now will need to contact you first. No need to escalate the situation, just explain and offer access with permission.

(I have been around TOTV way too long and seem to remember old topics sometimes. Wasn't there a discussion a few years ago about courtyard gates being tried by an unknown person who might have been looking for a spot to break in, unseen?)

Yup, I would do the same thing. That would put a Stop too the Improper Neighbor Etiquette. I have a extra Lock if ya need it..

[JCMSr]

We live in a courtyard villa primarily so that we have a fenced yard for our dog to roam freely. During the first year we found the gate left open on two separate occasions by either workmen or the adjacent property owner/tenants. After that we began locking the gate to prevent anyone from entering without notifying us first. We also have a few shrubs near the adjacent home that I always maintain to keep everything at least 6-12 inches away from the neighbors wall.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Boomer

If your neighbor can get in so can anybody else........

If I were you, I would lock the gate. (I probably would have been doing that from the day I moved in though.)

Your neighbor has assumed it's OK to waltz right in so you should let him know. I would graciously tell him the gate is locked and that he is welcome to check his house but now will need to contact you first. No need to escalate the situation, just explain and offer access with permission.

(I have been around TOTV way too long and seem to remember old topics sometimes. Wasn't there a discussion a few years ago about courtyard gates being tried by an unknown person who might have been looking for a spot to break in, unseen?)

Of course we all think our attitude is normal. Acceptable.... And probably the right one. I think that watching your surroundings is good and being careful and reporting anything that instinctively nudges you that seems out of place. We all know WHAT Villagers look like and seeing someone completely not like Villagers does make you look twice. If you are more comfortable locking the gate do it.

We all have our quirks. I still do not know the real name of a poster who spent several hours with me because she to me is overly OVERLY careful. No matter how hard we try, I think it is hard to understand some people.

I thought Rock Hudson was straight.

I really, really did.

[Henryk]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Of course we all think our attitude is normal. Acceptable.... And probably the right one. I think that watching your surroundings is good and being careful and reporting anything that instinctively nudges you that seems out of place. We all know WHAT Villagers look like and seeing someone completely not like Villagers does make you look twice. If you are more comfortable locking the gate do it.

We all have our quirks. I still do not know the real name of a poster who spent several hours with me because she to me is overly OVERLY careful. No matter how hard we try, I think it is hard to understand some people.

I thought Rock Hudson was straight.

I really, really did.

Gracie, dear, you are what I used to call a laugh riot!

[bagboy]

I wouldn't even make it an issue with the neighbor. Put a lock on the gate and mention to the neighbor that with all the crazy things that go on these days, you just feel the lock gives you a better sense of security. Keep your plants away from the neighbors villa, and let the neighbor know he's welcome to call you when he "needs" access.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by fred53

They should get permission before entering your yard. As to the cutting of plants touching their house they need permission to use your yard, but your plants should not touch their house if they don't want them to.

Isn't it technically a "shared" yard; the only way they can access the side of their home is by entering your yard.
However there may be large, unfriendly dogs living in the CYV.
Regardless, your neighbor should definitely ask for permission before entering.

[Trishakaye]

we have a corner courtyard villa with a backyard large enough for pool and spa. That said, corner villas have 2 gates to access their backyard. Due to the pool and spa liability Community Development said we could keep both gates locked as long as we gave reasonable access to our neighbor. Our neighbor has no problem notifying us when they need access for power washing, etc .

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Dont understand all these posts about the need for privacy or concerns about trespassing. If you were worried about that you shouldnt have bought in the Villages.

Its your neighbor just taking care of his house...not exactly a stranger walking on your proprty.

Amazes me all the time what people here worry about!!

I agree, but I still don't enter without knocking on the door. now if there not home I enter, but not after they letting me know it ok it there not home.

As for as shrub touch house, they can't, that side of house is not there property. Nothing can be touching or planted in the foot or two area close to the house that will damage adjacent property. Just like I can't plant shrub out my door across the sidewalk that touches his house. I maintain 1 foot clearance or more to remove wind blowing and any doubt.

I think the op has valid complaint, the neighbor IMO should not just barge in, after all you are entering his property.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Trishakaye

we have a corner courtyard villa with a backyard large enough for pool and spa. That said, corner villas have 2 gates to access their backyard. Due to the pool and spa liability Community Development said we could keep both gates locked as long as we gave reasonable access to our neighbor. Our neighbor has no problem notifying us when they need access for power washing, etc .

I have corner lot and there only one gate mine, I like mine it back backs up against my neighbors garage so our backyards don't kiss.