Neighbor Fence Questions (Page 2)

Wait until they are not home, then move some of their stuff around.

A long time ago in a land far away I planted 13 hedges on my property line...actually what I thought was about a foot on my side. I was just a kid and it was my first house...so who knows?  I spent all day planting them and then when I was inside doing some dishes in the evening I look out and my wack job neighbor was running over each of them with his riding lawnmower.  I ran outside and he was done....looked up at me and says, "you should have asked if you could plant those on the property line" and then drove away on his mower. 

The more I thought about it that night the madder I got......about 1 in the morning I grabbed my camp saw and went over and cut down a 20 - 30 foot oak tree that fell across his driveway.

The next morning I wake up to a loud knock on the door and it's a Police Officer.  He proceeds to tell me about the neighbor's tree and how the neighbor suspects I did it for some reason.  I told the Officer that I did not cut down any trees, but I sure hoped he caught whoever did it because there seemed to be some kind of serial tree hater running amok as I had been the victim of 13 hedges being cut down just yesterday.

The Officer looked at me, smiled, and said, "thanks for your time, sorry to bother you".

They built a shed on your property and put their fence right on the line?   Sounds like they just do whatever they want.   You could just print out this thread and send it to them....

We will be removing the privacy fence that separates us from our neighbors and we will be getting a surveyor before putting up the wall we have planned.  The existing fence hits three sides of our property, so it is "ours" (I think).   Our next door neighbor had their property surveyed, and if I believe their surveyor plus our plot map, I will be gaining about 12 inches towards the back, which will include the supports to my other neighbor's back patio covering.  That might get interesting.

this is so full of awesome that I don't even know where to start.

Especially if the shed has a permanent (concrete) floor.   If it is a "permanent" structure and you leave it on your property for a certain amount of years, I believe you automatically forfeit your deed to that part of property. 

Get that s$%t moved now.

That's what I was thinking too.  Then if they say something just say "Oh, I thought we we're randomly moving each other's stuff around."

Ultimately, regardless of the type of person you are, your choices fall into two categories.

1. Dealing with the matter head-on in a legally compliant and protected matter.

2. A range of everything else from well-intentioned to passive to downright nasty, all of which leave you exposed to be legally screwed down the road.

My advice is that this means you have 2.5 real options.

1. Get professional, legal advice explain that you want to be a good neighbor and have to live next to these people, but that you want to be protected and legally by-the-book.

2. Everything else, so long as you understand that you will probably get screwed.

1/2 option ----- Some municipalities have community ombudsmen/complaint alternative dispute resolution type of offices that help address some matters. However, I don't know the quality or legal coverage that they provide, if one even exists in your area.

I went and looked again at the property line.  They had a survey done before building the fence.  The cement footings  and one of the posts are for sure on my side as well as the retaining wall blocks that hold up the shed.  I was thinking of taking the blocks  away from the shed and throwing them onto their side. When the survey guy was first out last summer I took many picture of the lines he had up as I figured I would need them in the future. 

Really I am going to be cool about it.  They have a ton of money and I really do not want a contest.  But my sister and brother in laws are both lawyers.   Next time I see them walking their dog I will ask them about moving the bikes.  I will mention the local laws and that their shed is on my side.

These are the people that wash their mower before and after mowing.  Retired and it seems the lawn and house are the only hobby they have.  My wife and I go 100mph all the time and tend to leave stuff out and are not super concerned with how the lawn looks ( I am a golf super so I really do not like mowing and watering when I am home)We spend the weekends away from the house from April through hunting season.  And I do not water ( the horror)

I bet it doesn't help the I  made a BMX track in the backyard and we tend to be loud and have tons of fun out there.  I lost the battle for a half pipe and had to settle for the track with a start gate. 

I asked my son and he did not touch them.  He is 3 years old. 

Its now 8 deg outside and to cold to mess with it for now.  Thanks for the good ideas.  I was thinking that if the think the whole fence in on their side I should ask them to please weed-eat the fence line but to please stay of my property. 

Get the lead out...that is all

This is classic! Awesome post. Did you ever get along with this neighbor?

X2  It is surprising how many issues can be resolved by first talking and seeing if there is a common ground yall can agree on peacebly and letting them know that you requie them to observe some kind of boundaries...  If they aren't receptive to it go after them as hard as you can to get them to comply to the letter of the law.

My neighborhood has a home owners association so when I moved in I was required to get a permit to put up a fence or shed so do you not have one?  They might be able to go after them instead of you, if my fence hadn't been approved they would have fined me and eventually put a lein on my house, just a thought.

No, I never did.  He was a classic crazy, crabby old man with a crabby old wife.  Their own grown children never even came around.  They harassed alot of neighbors over the years for a number of issues.......but they never bothered me again.  It has been my experience that once someone realizes you are willing to fight stupid with even more stupid.....they get smarter.  It doesn't always work, but it's usually worth a laugh or two regardless.

Ok. the lady next door came over and asked me to move my Lawn Mower because when she looks out her kitchen window she can see it.  I asked her if she moved my bikes.  She said sure I did they were leaning on my fence.  I told her to never come on my land again and I will look into moving the mower. 

I could not believe her attitude about it.  She was so smug and condescending to me that I am about to go buy more stuff to put up next to my mower.  Its sad because I really want to have a good relationship with all people around me but this is pushing my buttons a little. 

Any ideas now? 

I'd have told her to put blinds on her windows and close them so she can't see the mower. 

^^^^^ this

And I would have added that she was trespassing when she moved your bikes, that touching your bikes and moving them is technically larceny, and that fences ON the property line mean that your side is YOURS - that perhaps she should have spoken to you first - maybe then you would feel more like even entertaining doing anything for her.

My wife said we should build the half pipe I have always wanted.  She knows of the perfect spot.....

Still baffled  by the whole situation. 

YES!!

and put a gnome next to the mower