Entitled neighbor demands resident to install fence surrounding front wall to selfishly protect her own garden:, resident refuses 'I don't want to!'

Author image for Ben Weiss
Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jul 12, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

There is a fine line between being neighborly and allowing a difficult person to walk all over you. Yes, when you're dealing with entitled neighbors, it can be a challenge to remain in their good graces while also standing up for yourself, as the author of this story learned the hard way.

Of course, there are times when neighbors should go out of their way to help one another out, whether it's borrowing a vacuum or helping them clean up a mess. The problem is when that neighbor starts to get the idea that you will do just about anything for them if they ask you nicely. That's when you need to get ahead of things and start politely declining if it's the kind of request you wouldn't necessarily put on them. 

Let that always be the barometer. Otherwise, you're going to find yourself in a situation where your neighbor relies on you more than anyone else!

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    Cheezburger Image 10527998208
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • In this instance, we have an entitled neighbor next door who cared about the health of her garden more than anything else. One day, she demanded that the author build a fence around her front wall so that sheep wouldn't wander into the author's backyard and then into the neighbor's. It's the kind of occurrence that didn't seem so frequent or serious for the author to undergo this process, so she has decided to refuse. Now, the conflict begins…

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    "My neighbor wants me to fence off my front wall for her benefit"

    Hi everyone. I've lived beside my neighbour for 15 years. She's very green-fingered, takes great pride in her garden and flowers, and we're generally on good
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    terms. I don't have much in my own front garden besides hanging baskets - my garden is more of a play zone for my four kids, with a trampoline, swings, and a slide.
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    We live in a small estate surrounded by large open fields where farmers are allowed to let sheep graze. Occasionally, the sheep wander into the estate, but it's always been more of an oddity than a problem.
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    Recently, my neighbour (she's the last house in the terrace) installed a fence around her front and side to protect her garden.
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    Since then, she's been pushing for me to fence off my front garden to stop the sheep coming in. She claims one morning sheep jumped over my front wall (3.5ft approx) and over our shared wall (2.5ft) from my garden into hers.
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    This is don't dispute as ive seen them donit when I chase them out. Our gate is always checked and locked because of the smaller kids.
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    Now here's the issue - I don't want to fence off my garden. My older two kids sometimes hop over the wall to come into the garden without opening the front
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    gate, especially if one of the little ones is out in the garden playing (they do it to avoid the younger kids running into the road). If I put up a fence, they won't be able to do that — or worse, the gate will be left open.
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    The trampoline is kept a bit away from the wall on purpose so the younger two don't use it as a way to climb onto the wall. I've already made adjustments to keep things safe and practical for my family.
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    Cheezburger Image 10527998976
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    - I get that she's protective of her garden, but I really don't want to alter mine to suit her — especially when it's not actually causing us problems. How can I explain this kindly, without creating tension?
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    Would love advice on wording, or if anyone's dealt with something similar!
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    Sufficient_Wall5192 • 3h ago Nothing to explain. Just don't do it. If it inconveniences you. It's your property. If she wants one. She can get it herself.
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    poncho5202 • 3h ago sheep jumped into my garden and i was trying to take detailed noted of the whole situation but i kept falling asleep.
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    Majestic_Daikon_1... 3h ago • Ask her to pay for it. My neighbour kept asking me if I was going to cut down a tree at the end of my garden, so one day I just said if they wanted to hire
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    someone to come in and do it and be liable for any damage done I would be happy to consider it. Never mentioned it again.
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    ObjectivePrice5865 · 3h ago • She can install taller fence along the side if she so pleases but it is a her problem.
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    This is like the brand new next door neighbor demanding that you lower your 10 year old fence so their purse sized dog doesn't get out of their backyard.
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    rojita369 3h ago. There's no explanation needed here. "No" is a complete sentence, learn to be comfortable using it.
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    Kyra Heiker • 3h ago Sorry, I have to do what is best for my family and for the safety of my children.
    via Last_Coconut2025
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    gordaoo12 3h ago This is a tough one! But remember, you have the right to maintain your garden as you see fit. A firm but friendly conversation,
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    emphasizing your family's needs and the potential drawbacks of a fence, should help your neighbour understand your position. If she remains insistent, you might need to stand your ground.
    via Last_Coconut2025

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neighborhood drama kids neighborhood garden neighborhood-drama bad neighbors neighborhood-stories entitled people karma entitled people
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