Children playing football or other ball games next to your windows, conservatory or greenhouse can quickly become a real worry. You may be bracing yourself for the sound of breaking glass, or simply finding the constant thudding against a fence or wall hard to live with. Either way, it is one of the most common problems with neighbours' children and one that usually can be sorted out without things turning sour.
Before sending any letter, it helps to know where you stand legally and what you can reasonably ask for. Try our free Neighbour Rights Checker.
If a ball comes into your garden, most people would simply throw it back or hand it over, and that is generally the neighbourly thing to do. There is no legal duty to return it, but holding onto balls indefinitely or refusing to give them back is likely to cause more trouble than it solves. If a child climbs over your fence or wall to fetch the ball themselves, that is trespass. Trespass is normally a civil matter rather than a criminal one, although it can become more serious if damage is caused or if it happens repeatedly, and parents may be liable for any damage their children cause.
Start with a conversation
The first step is almost always to speak to your neighbour. Once children are out of sight, parents may not realise where they are playing or how close the game is getting to your greenhouse. A short, friendly chat at the door is often all it takes.
If you would rather not knock, or you have tried and it has not helped, an informal note through the door is a sensible next step. Keep it short and polite. You are not making a complaint at this stage, just flagging the issue. It is worth keeping a copy of anything you send, along with a note of the date, in case you need a record later.
If that does not work, a more formal letter is the next move. Going down the formal route should normally be a last resort, because once relations break down with a neighbour they can be hard to repair.
Informal note about children's ball games
Dear [name],
Just a quick note about your children's ball games.
[CHOOSE THE PART THAT FITS]
[I have noticed they tend to play right next to my windows / greenhouse / conservatory and I am a bit worried about the glass getting hit. Would you mind asking them to move a little further away so we can avoid any accidents?]
[The ball keeps coming over into my garden, and the children have been climbing over to get it back. Could you ask them to knock on the door instead? I am happy to pass it back, I would just rather they did not come into the garden themselves.]
Thanks for your help with this.
Best wishes,
[Name]
[Your house number]
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[Your address]
[Neighbour's name]
[Address / 'Delivered by hand']
[Date]
Dear [Neighbour's name, or 'Dear Neighbour' if you do not know it],
Re: Ball games and damage to my property
I live at [address]. I am writing about ball games being played by your children in [describe the area, for example the grass verge in front of my property, or the path running along the side of my garden].
The problems this is causing are: [pick whichever apply]
- The ball is repeatedly hitting my property and has caused, or could cause, damage.
- The ball regularly ends up in my garden.
- Damage is being caused when the children come into my garden to fetch the ball.
- The children are entering my garden without permission, which amounts to trespass.
You may not have realised this was happening. I would much rather sort this out between us than take it any further, so I would be grateful if you could [ask your children to play somewhere else / ask them to knock on the door to get their ball back instead of coming into the garden].
I am hopeful we can resolve things between us, but if the problem continues I may need to consider raising it with the local council as a last resort.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Kind regards,
[Your signature]
[Your name]
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
If things get worse
Most ball game problems never go beyond a quiet word. But if a window is broken, your greenhouse is damaged or children are repeatedly climbing into your garden, you do have options. The cost of any damage can be claimed from the parents, and persistent trespass or harassment can be reported to your local council or, in serious cases, the police on 101. Citizens Advice can offer guidance based on your circumstances and point you towards local mediation services, which can be a useful step before things become more formal. For complex or persistent problems, it may also be worth speaking to a solicitor or legal advisor.
A few practical things worth doing as you go:
- Deliver any letter by hand if you can, or send it by post and keep a copy.
- Stick to the facts. Avoid emotional language, and do not name individual children.
- If you have already had a conversation, mention it briefly so there is a clear record that you tried the friendly approach first.
- Take photos of any damage, with dates, in case you need them later.
- If you rent your home, let your landlord or letting agent know what is happening, particularly if damage is involved.
Children playing outside is a normal part of life, and most parents will respond well if you raise things calmly. The aim is not to stop them playing altogether, just to nudge the game somewhere safer for everyone. In most cases a quick word or a short note is enough to settle it.
Common questions
Can I do anything about footballs landing in my garden?
You can politely ask your neighbour to stop the ball coming over. If they refuse and damage continues, you may have a claim in nuisance or trespass for the broken plants or property. Most people sort it informally though, especially once they realise things are being broken.
Are children allowed to play football in the street?
There is no law banning ball games in streets, but persistent damage, broken windows or risk to traffic can be raised with the local authority or anti-social behaviour team. The Highways Act 1980 gives councils some power where play is causing a real obstruction or danger.
Do I have to return a ball that lands in my garden?
There is no legal obligation, but holding onto a ball is rarely worth the friction it causes. Returning it with a quick, friendly word about damage tends to get a better result than refusing. If retrieval is the real problem, ask the family to knock before climbing the fence.
The noise is unbearable, thuds of ball bouncing vibrates up to my flat, I have spoken to their parents, saying they are old enough to go to the park, I have reiterated this to the boys but to no avail, I have my tv on volumn 40 and can still hear the bounce and thud if the ball, I am extremely anxious nd emotional regarding the football. I am seeking advice.
Woken every morning at 5.30 Monday through till Saturday making my health bad noise is hammering on walls when he’s a temper on him doors slammed we asked about the doors not my doors not my problem cheap doors think because they rent they can destroy property broken fence about two months after they moved in landlord replaced it god knows what the house inside looks like some owners don’t care as long as they pay the rent what a messed up
World we live in now days
We just ignore but we should be able to live a life without this abuse we have CCTV cameras installed but does not stop her
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