Woman Secures Prized Lakefront Property, Angers Neighbors By Fencing Off What They Consider A Community Area

"Not much changed so I got blunt and started asking people directly not to trespass on the property."

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• August 2, 2023

It's commonly accepted that private property is a cornerstone of personal freedom and autonomy. The concept is not merely about possessing a piece of land or a house; it's about having a space that belongs solely to you, where you have the right to determine who can access it and how it should be used.

Despite this generally recognized principle, there are still instances when this respect for private property falls by the wayside, often resulting in conflicts and disagreements.

This problem of respecting boundaries is especially prevalent when it comes to larger properties that don't have clear demarcations like fences or walls. These properties can sometimes seem like communal spaces to neighbors or passersby, who might take the liberty to trespass or utilize the property for their own leisure or convenience without considering the rights and wishes of the property owner.

The story of OP, a woman who recently purchased a property with lakefront access, is a case in point. She recently bought a property with lakefront access and found herself in a tricky situation when her new neighbors continued to use her land for recreational purposes, despite her clear objections.

Even after she erected a fence and placed signs declaring it as private property, her neighbors still viewed these actions as aggressive rather than a rightful assertion of property rights. According to them, her property had always served as the communal access point to the lake.

Now, OP is left questioning whether her desire for privacy and security infringes upon an unspoken community agreement.

OP asks:

OP's newly bought property, consisting of several acres of woods extending into a large lake, had become a sort of communal space for the neighbors over the years.

Assuming this was due to her delayed move-in, she made her presence known, and even confronted trespassers directly.

Contrary to her expectations, the neighbors viewed this not as a rightful assertion of property rights, but as an act of hostility.

According to the neighbor, her lot had always been considered the neighborhood's communal access point to the lake.

While OP feels justified in closing off her property for privacy and security, she is also unsure if she's violating a long-established, albeit unspoken, rule of access.

The question arises: is she in the wrong for exercising her rights over her private property?

Thanks to Reddit, OP sees some things clearer now

This is true:

"Whatever was allowed before you bought the property means nothing when it changed hands. "

Private property is not a public park

The neighbors are not entitled to the property

The previous owner should have informed OP

It's vital to respect boundaries and private property rights, regardless of past traditions or perceived community norms. It's quite clear that OP's neighbors have a deeply ingrained sense of entitlement, bordering on blatant disrespect for her and her property rights.

While the situation is undoubtedly challenging given the neighbors' reaction, OP is fully within her rights to enforce boundaries on her own property. This is not an act of aggression but a rightful assertion of property rights.

Damjan