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Redditor Closes Off Property The Whole Neighborhood Because One Entitled Family Kept "Mistaking Their Land For Public Space," Using Their Pool And Even Building A Fire Pit

"It just takes a few assholes to ruin it for everyone."

Redditor Closes Off Property The Whole Neighborhood Because One Entitled Family Kept "Mistaking Their Land For Public Space," Using Their Pool And Even Building A Fire Pit

Some people treat “private property” like it’s a social media caption instead of a real boundary, and this Reddit post is proof. OP’s family had a pretty good setup for years, neighbors used the only flat grass for football, and everything ran on permission and common sense.

Then a new family moved in and decided OP’s fenced-off pool area was basically public space. They kept wandering in, using the garden, and ignoring the fact that the pool was installed at the far back of OP’s land on purpose, with fencing for a reason. OP tried warnings, but the entitlement escalated fast.

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By day seven, the whole neighborhood got a front-row seat to what happens when “oops, we didn’t know” meets a wall going up overnight.

OP lives in a non-English speaking European country with strangely shaped land borders.

They own a vast area reaching to the woods behind their house, while their neighbors have only small strips of land behind theirs.

OP lives in a non-English speaking European country with strangely shaped land borders.Reddit
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The area right behind OP's house is fenced off, but the rest is open, and their wife and daughters enjoy using it for gardening.

The area right behind OP's house is fenced off, but the rest is open, and their wife and daughters enjoy using it for gardening.Reddit
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The field is the only flat piece of grassland around, and most neighborhood boys use it for football with permission as long as they leave without complaints and don't litter.

The field is the only flat piece of grassland around, and most neighborhood boys use it for football with permission as long as they leave without complaints and don't litter.Reddit

This situation emphasizes the effects of entitlement on community relationships.

OP had a pool installed at the far back of their property and fenced it off.

The pool's installation and fencing will become significant later in the context of the story.

OP had a pool installed at the far back of their property and fenced it off.Reddit

OP deals with a new family mistaking their private land for public space, resulting in unauthorized use of the pool area and garden, causing frustration and concern.

OP deals with a new family mistaking their private land for public space, resulting in unauthorized use of the pool area and garden, causing frustration and concern.Reddit

Frustrated with the new family's actions, OP walled off their entire property in just 7 days.

Frustrated with the new family's actions, OP walled off their entire property in just 7 days.Reddit

OP’s neighborhood boys were playing football on that flat field with permission, right up until the new family started treating the pool and garden like they belonged to everyone.

From a psychological perspective, boundary-setting is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships in community living.

The walled-off property has led to the new family being treated as a nuisance, with the neighborhood kids now picking on them due to losing their football field.

The walled-off property has led to the new family being treated as a nuisance, with the neighborhood kids now picking on them due to losing their football field.Reddit

OP acknowledges feeling remorseful but believes they provided sufficient warnings before resorting to drastic actions.

OP acknowledges feeling remorseful but believes they provided sufficient warnings before resorting to drastic actions.Reddit

Here's what people have to say:

Here's what people have to say:Reddit

Effective communication is a key component in resolving conflicts within communities.

If only they could get a hint, right?

If only they could get a hint, right?Reddit

A gate is a great option to solve all this...

A gate is a great option to solve all this...Reddit

It's OP's property, and they were understanding before finally taking action.

It's OP's property, and they were understanding before finally taking action.Reddit

The pool got fenced off after it was installed, but the new family still kept showing up, which is where the “mistaking their land for public space” story stops being funny.

This is similar to the Redditor debating personal space from in-laws during visits.

From a behavioral perspective, this scenario may reflect a lack of awareness regarding the impact of one's actions on others. Research indicates that individuals often act without considering how their behavior affects their neighbors, leading to conflicts.

Encouraging neighbors to consider the feelings and needs of others can help mitigate conflicts and promote a more supportive community environment. Engaging in community-building activities can foster understanding and collaboration among residents.

Safety and liability are major concerns with unauthorized activities on their property.

Safety and liability are major concerns with unauthorized activities on their property.Reddit

It's a huge liability, and they did the right thing for safety, so there's no need to feel guilty about their decision.

It's a huge liability, and they did the right thing for safety, so there's no need to feel guilty about their decision.Reddit

Imagine someone building a fire pit right on YOUR property!

Imagine someone building a fire pit right on YOUR property!Reddit

Dealing with entitled people truly sucks.

Dealing with entitled people truly sucks.Reddit

What are these neighbors on? Seriously?

What are these neighbors on? Seriously?Reddit

OP had no choice but to fence out the disrespectful and littering new family.

OP had no choice but to fence out the disrespectful and littering new family.Reddit

It's a fence, and they can ask for permission to play football if they promise not to cause trouble.

It's a fence, and they can ask for permission to play football if they promise not to cause trouble.Reddit

It's OP's property, and the new family should have respected that.

It's OP's property, and the new family should have respected that.Reddit

OP gave ample warnings, and at the end of the day, it's their property!

OP gave ample warnings, and at the end of the day, it's their property!Reddit

It wasn't right at all.

It wasn't right at all.Reddit

Hopefully, it teaches them manners and respect.

Hopefully, it teaches them manners and respect.Reddit

Maybe it's a glitch in the matrix!

Maybe it's a glitch in the matrix!Reddit

Adding the second fence was a good move, definitely.

Adding the second fence was a good move, definitely.Reddit

If only people in OP's neighborhood were this respectful, too!

If only people in OP's neighborhood were this respectful, too!Reddit

Respectful behavior means asking for permission, not using "it's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission" as a guise.

Respectful behavior means asking for permission, not using "it's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission" as a guise.Reddit

The new neighbors are proof that entitlement knows no borders!

The new neighbors are proof that entitlement knows no borders!Reddit

We think OP was still kind enough for what they did.

We think OP was still kind enough for what they did.Reddit

Yikes.

Fence and walls enclosing a property, neighbors disputing over land boundariesReddit

OP is definitely not the one to blame!

OP is definitely not the one to blame!Reddit

When OP walled off the entire property in just 7 days, the fallout hit immediately, including the kids who now had no field to play on and took it out on the family.

Even after OP admits feeling remorseful, the neighborhood’s vibe turns nasty, because the entitled family’s actions cost them the one spot everyone used to gather.</p>

Being in a neighborhood can definitely expose you to a lot of crazy things and people—which will ultimately drive you to say or do crazy things as well. But in this case, do you think OP was right for putting up walls on their property to ward them off?

Comment down your thoughts, or share this article for all your family and friends to see!

This situation underscores the intricate relationship between entitlement and community boundaries. The actions of the entitled family, who mistook private property for public space, reveal a significant lack of consideration for their neighbors. The decision by the Redditor to close off their property is not merely a personal boundary-setting measure; it reflects a necessary response to repeated violations that disrupt community harmony. The incident illustrates that when communication fails, and respect is absent, conflicts can escalate, prompting individuals to take drastic measures to protect their rights and peace. This scenario serves as a stark reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting shared spaces in maintaining a cohesive neighborhood.

Now the new family has a pool, a fire pit, and a whole neighborhood that treats them like they’re the problem.

For another boundary fight, read about the neighbor whose cat kept using a yard as a litter box.

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