shared access

[wainy33]

my neighbours have access to the rear of there house through my garden this is not a problem as i knew this when i brought the house but i now have a young girl aged 3 and they keep leaving the gates open and im scared she will get out and onto the main road are there any laws that state if gates are fitted they should be closed behind them when they come and go i have talked to them but its in one here and out the other

[daffy654]

Is the access a legal right of way or just a courtesy on your part?
Could you put a big sign on the gate asking them to close it on their way in and out?

[buildersmate]

No there is no such law. One has to rely on the co-operation of others which appears sadly lacking.
You could create a 'corridor' by partitioning your garden using a fence between the path area at the bottom and the rest of the garden which your three year old has access to.

[Eve]

How about gates which automatically shut and lock after they've been open, you might be able to fit special hinges which do this.

I'm honestly not sure where you'd get them from or how much but I'm sure someone else can help on Home & Garden.