Even if the landowners were given keys to the property, is there a method for their agents, guests and others to get on the property?  Can an ambulance or fire truck get to the house if they are called into service?  What about grandma who drops by for a visit;  can she access the home or is she standing in the rain at the gate hoping someone goes out or in?  A gated community will have guards posted and call boxes and emergency keys available to responders. 

This is akin to imposing an unwelcome HOA over the top of your property without anyone telling you and they start to uproot your trees and garden.  Funny;  weird funny.