Deirdre O Meara 
A video has gone viral on TikTok showing a “petty” neighbour mowing just their half of a shared strip of grass amid an alleged feud. The video shows one side of the turf neatly trimmed, while the other side remains long and unkempt. The clip has garnered over 363,000 views and 1,200 likes, sparking a wave of reactions from viewers. One viewer said, “The height of pettiness… I’m embarrassed for them!” Another viewer commented that they had a neighbour who only trimmed half of a hedge.
This is not an isolated case of neighbours feuding. Liz Peck and her husband Adam were furious when their neighbour, Debbie Ranford, built an extension just inches from their £1.5m home in south-east London. They took Mrs Ranford to court, but the judge criticised them for using a “sledgehammer to crack a nut” over the “very minor” boundary issue. The couple wanted Mrs Ranford to tear down her loft extension, but instead, Judge Simon Monty awarded them just £200 compensation and ordered them to pay the £130,000 legal costs of the case at Central London County Court. The couple has now been granted permission to appeal in the High Court to get their damages payout increased.
In another case, a cat owner in Brisbane, Australia, received a threatening note from a neighbour during a dispute about her feline’s behaviour. The note warned that the cat “will disappear” after it ran into the neighbour’s yard and got into a fight with their moggy. The cat owner was mortified and apologetic and immediately removed the cat flap on the back door and replaced the door so that the cat could not get out again. However, when a tradesman left the door open, the cat managed to get out again, prompting the threatening note.
Neighbourly disputes are not uncommon and can escalate quickly, causing emotional and financial distress to those involved. It is important to try and resolve issues amicably before they spiral out of control. Communication is key, and it is essential to listen to the other party’s concerns and try to find a compromise that works for everyone.
If communication fails, seeking legal advice may be necessary. However, it is important to weigh up the costs and potential outcomes of legal action before proceeding. In some cases, it may be more beneficial to seek mediation or arbitration to resolve the issue.
In conclusion, while it may be tempting to resort to petty measures, such as mowing only half of a shared lawn or leaving threatening notes, it is essential to remember that we all have to live alongside our neighbours. It is better to try and find a solution that works for everyone rather than escalate the situation further.
