Homeowners who don’t want trick-or-treaters knocking on Halloween can make it clear that visitors do not have permission to approach their front door, according to a property law expert.
People normally have implied permission to use the usual route to someone’s front door and knock or ring the bell, allowing neighbours, delivery drivers and other everyday visitors to approach a property without first being invited.
But Janet Lane, property law expert at Rogers and Norton, says householders can make clear that they do not want Halloween callers by displaying a prominent notice or closing a gate.
There is also no obligation for residents to answer the door or participate in trick-or-treating.
IMPLIED PERMISSION
Lane says: “There is generally an implied permission for somebody to walk up the usual route to your front door and knock, which is why a delivery driver, neighbour or other caller does not normally need express permission first.
“But homeowners can make it clear that they do not want Halloween callers. A locked gate, or a simple and prominent ‘no trick-or-treaters’ notice on the door, gate or window is one of the clearest ways of communicating that visitors are not invited to approach.”
Simply walking up a path and knocking would not ordinarily make a trick-or-treater a criminal trespasser.
However, Lane says the position becomes different if someone refuses to leave, repeatedly targets a home, damages property or threatens residents.
She adds: “There is an important difference between a child innocently knocking on the wrong door and behaviour which becomes intimidating or destructive.
“A single knock is one thing. Repeatedly banging on somebody’s door after being asked to leave, damaging their property or throwing objects at their home is something very different and should never be dismissed as simply part of Halloween.”
Lane advises people who don’t want callers to display a clear notice, avoid Halloween decorations that might suggest visitors are welcome and keep gates closed where appropriate.
