Bad neighbour not cutting grass :(

I shall also assume this is not a wind up - but have serious doubts.

Melannie , you may think that your neighbours don't give a toss what you do but unless you have it in writing then you are letting yourself in for quite some considerable legal action. This isn't a guess on my part as I have dealt with consumer problems for the last 40 years.

Before I go any further:- ziggy, you should know better!!!

Other posters have brought up a number of reasons why you should not do it but you don't seem to be interested in what they say.

Let's first consider what may happen if you decide to go ahead -
How are you going to do it? You can't go onto their land to do it (legal offence number 1)

So you stand on a ladder and spray over the fence. (offence number 2)

Using a backpack sprayer you have no control over where the spray is going so it not only might go into other neighbours gardens (number 3) but it will almost certainly go into yours (lovely dead patches all over your garden)

Using a large quantity of weedkiller in an uncontrolled manner that could contaminate the water courses (serious offence - number 4)

Knowing the potential hazards and effects of following such course of action and still doing so (possible offence number 5)

Killing a possible wildlife habitat (your opinion of what it is doesn't hold much sway in a court of law) (number 6)

This is all before you consider what may happen with outraged neighbours and ensuing offences appertaining to that.

So far you would be deemed to be wrong in all these situations but let's also consider other possible outcomes from this. First of all, you are saying you don't want to pay out much so you will buy cheap stuff that will only make matters worse. Don't forget that you will need to also wear a facemask as you will be using the chemical in an uncontrolled manner. As there is almost certainly going to be spray drift ther will be potential harm to the health of other people (serious offence - number 7).

If you do go ahead - have you thought of what may grow in the place of the grass? Usually when grass has been killed off it gets replaced in a natural manner by some really awful weeds that are almost impossible to control. For example: brambles (which would creep under your fence), thistles and rose bay willow which spread seeds so quickly you wouldn't believe it, and many others.

The solution seems so simple and relatively cheap. If you don't want to put up a better and bigger fence (which is what a court would suggest) you could drape the plastic down their side of the fence (you said you have already thought of using it on your side but it looks ugly). Adding height to your fence can be done very easily with some trellis (not all that expensive and you would save the cost of weedkiller, spraying kit, face masks etc) and you could grow some lovely fast growing plants up it.

From what you say, you seem to have problems with all of your neighbours ("the idiots that live here") and you have another possible problem coming up in the near future. You have planted a lot of Leylandii to block out your other neighbours. They grow very quickly and there is now a 'High Hedge Act' which could get you a fine of £1,000. So be careful how high you let them grow as Leylandii were the main reason for this law coming out.

I still think this is a wind up but the above information should be useful for others.

 

I think my only comment on this can be not to go ahead with it. Your neighbours may be numpties but there will be consequences from this; it's wrong despite their contempt for their garden and your situation.

I might also suggest the mods close the thread before we get pinged for aiding and abetting!