homeowner issue - kids using your yard as a sleigh ride area

came home to find 4 or 5 boys sledding around my front yard, between a few trees.

a) I don't like anyone on my property
b) I don't want to get sued
c) I also don't want to be "that" neighbor

so, what do you do?

am i overreacting?

what are you SUPPOSED to do?

and, how do you say something (if you choose to) so you don't sound like biotch?

I don't know any of my neighbors. I don't even know if these are my neighbors kids.

Re: homeowner issue - kids using your yard as a sleigh ride area

In this sue happy age, i would give them the boot. All it takes is one bonehead to slam into a tree and then you habpve mamabear on your lawn. No thanks. Get the steppin'

Re: homeowner issue - kids using your yard as a sleigh ride area

My first concern would be liability- if a kid is hurt, who's at fault? If that wasn't an issue, I probably would not care. But I too would not want to be sued.

I once caught a neighbor kid riding his bike down a small set of concrete steps on our property- I didn't say anything- and his mom and another neighbor standing right there thought it was funny. I also don't want to be "that neighbor" so I said nothing- but fortunately it was a one-time thing.

ETA- if the kids damaged something, would the parents pay up, I wonder?

Message edited 12/27/2010 4:59:26 PM.

Re: homeowner issue - kids using your yard as a sleigh ride area

you are NOT overreacting. I've had major issues with two of my neighbors using my backyard at their own leisure. I put an end to it and put up a fence.

Yes, I am THAT neighbor, but you know what? I am NOT going to get sued because one of their kids gets hurt on my property.

Re: homeowner issue - kids using your yard as a sleigh ride area

Re: homeowner issue - kids using your yard as a sleigh ride area

Re: homeowner issue - kids using your yard as a sleigh ride area

Re: homeowner issue - kids using your yard as a sleigh ride area

I think it also depends on the kids. I have some great neighbors and their kids are wonderful. If they found a great hill to play on (which we don't have one), I wouldn't mind as long as their parents knew they were over and were unsupervised. But that's me. I grew up in my neighbor's backyards and thought NOTHING of going over to their house to play even if they weren't home. I know it was 35 years ago, but still..... I guess that's why it wouldn't bother me now.

Re: homeowner issue - kids using your yard as a sleigh ride area

Re: homeowner issue - kids using your yard as a sleigh ride area

Re: homeowner issue - kids using your yard as a sleigh ride area

I would ask them where they live. If they said somewhere in your street, tell them to go back to their backyard. So...Kick them out. Why are they using YOUR yard?

Regardless, I would tell them that their parents should have taught them not to use other people's property.

Re: homeowner issue - kids using your yard as a sleigh ride area

Funny. This was in yesterday's Newsday. i forgot what Ann Lander's advice was for this same exact situation.

Re: homeowner issue - kids using your yard as a sleigh ride area

I would and have said something. My back yard neighbor's home burnt to the ground three years ago. The day after the fire I came home to strangers in my back yard. Three adults and 2 kids. One of the kids was rollerblading and destroyed my lawn. I was really angry and told them to get off of my property. My lawn was completely torn up and did not grow back until the next year. I also have a small retaining wall and the kid was also rollerblading on it, if he got hurt, I am sure they would have sued me. You would think adults would know better but they don't. They actually yelled at me.