Am I overreacting? - Page 2

pwd72s · 08-09-2006, 09:08 AM

Good fences make for good neighbors...I'd advise checking local fencing codes. I installed over 300 feet of 5' high hurricane fence a couple of years ago because of encroachment problems. The person doing the encroaching screamed to the county...many complaints from her. She thought I was removing about 10' of width from a driveway. Actually, it's my land, I pay taxes on it, but have given a "right of passage" (NOT an easement) 20' wide to those who live behind me. I had the place surveyed before hand, the fence is 100% legal. Once she figured out that was the case, she's been a much nicer neighbor, meaning never speaks to us. Cindy & I LOVE our fence.

trekkor · 08-09-2006, 09:17 AM

Is it possible your nieghbor is unaware of the problem?

Maybe a stroll over there, " I notice you've done some recent yard work. Looks nice. Did you notice what happened over here?"

See what she says.

If it's: " yeah, isn't it great" , deep breath , submit bill.

KT

Overpaid Slacker · 08-09-2006, 09:26 AM

I'm with Eric (and others) on this -- act now. Don't wait. Make the first move tactful but firm. If you do not get a prompt resolution -- 2 days? which timetable you set for her, escalate.

JP

Moneyguy1 · 08-09-2006, 10:48 AM

Ex President of the HOA?

That says it all. God complex. Diplomacy is for attorneys. Get one. A written complaint to the City.

FOLLOW THROUGH!!!!

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Is she hot, does she have big boobs?? Pictures!!

fastpat · 08-09-2006, 10:58 AM

Looks to me like your neighbor is counting on your not taking any action. Take photos with a time and date stamp clearly in them. Ask, just once for her to make restitution for your loss. Go to small claims court if she refuses. You might not get anything, but she'll have an unsatisfied judgement on her credit record if she doesn't pay, and the sheriff can collect the debt if you want him to.

Jims5543 · 08-09-2006, 11:04 AM

The mess isn't huge I guess my point is that it pisses me off that someone would not clean up out of consideration.

See all the little balls in the driveway? There are easily 100's of them in the grass, the next lawn mowing will be interesting if someone does not rake them out.

To be clear, she had a tree service cut down the trees. The trees were in the middle of the front yard, they had to go way out of their way to put it over here. It just needed to get to the curb and the county will pick it up. 2 days later it was picked up.

Normally after the county picks up the homeowner will take a rake and garbage pail and clean up the mess left behind. Thats what I do.

Its not a big deal for me to clean this up I just think it really rude for my neighbor to just leave it there for me to pick up.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Just go in with a good offense. "Were you going to hire someone to clean up this mess and repair my mailbox or should i take care of it and give you the bill. My bother-in-law isn't cheap, but he's thorough." That should get a response...

fastpat · 08-09-2006, 11:11 AM

For that much stuff, I'd simply go out there tonight and put back on the property where it originated and fix my own mailbox, in a much more rigid installation. I recommend a 4x6 post and a Veeders mailbox. I have one and it's withstood at least one baseball bat hit with only a slight scuffmark. And mine's painted, not stainless steel. The box door sounds like a car door when you close it, and the shipping weight was 65 pounds. We're talking solid. Worth every penney in my opinion.

Jims5543 · 08-09-2006, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fastpat
For that much stuff, I'd simply go out there tonight and put back on the property where it originated and fix my own mailbox, in a much more rigid installation. I recommend a 4x6 post and a Veeders mailbox. I have one and it's withstood at least one baseball bat hit with only a slight scuffmark. And mine's painted, not stainless steel. The box door sounds like a car door when you close it, and the shipping weight was 65 pounds. We're talking solid. Worth every penney in my opinion.

No, its not that much stuuf, its more the principal that its there and I have to clean it up. I have no adversion to yard work and will do it in a second and almost did it last night but stopped myself because I thought it was rude of her to leave it there.

The logs and debri was removed yesterday. I wanted to see if she would clean it up today.

I will probably pick it up because I am a wimp. Next hurricane when my 15KW generator is whirring next to her house I'll just smile and offer no apologies. (My fuse panel is on the side of my house next to hers)

Thanks for the mailbox link, I might do one of those.

85eurocarrera · 85eurocarrera's Garage

Some neighbors blow. I have one with a barking dog with no concern for others, or thier dog for that matter. If you can, fix your mailbox while she is outside and can see you. Maybe she will get the hint but dont bet on it!
Good Luck!
Joe

Jims5543 · 08-09-2006, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 85eurocarrera
Some neighbors blow. I have one with a barking dog with no concern for others, or thier dog for that matter. If you can, fix your mailbox while she is outside and can see you. Maybe she will get the hint but dont bet on it!
Good Luck!
Joe

She has 3 lapdogs that have been barking at me for the last 7 years. I cannot enjoy my backyard without hearing her dogs bark at us.

I can write volumes...

Moneyguy1 · 08-09-2006, 12:06 PM

Jim:

We had neighbors with obnoxious dogs. Day and night, little yippie yappie wastes of skin. Drove ALL the neighbors nuts. Tried talking, but that never worked. Four other families and ourselves sent letters directly to the people in question, and copies to the Police and to Animal Control. Problem solved. Bonus? The idiots no longer speak with any of us!!

85eurocarrera · 85eurocarrera's Garage

Bummer. I am only going on 2 years with my situation. I Just put a deck on so I have been more aggresive on trying to stop it before it goes on for much longer. It has been alot better since I went over, they were not home at the time as usual, and took thier dog for a walk around the neighborhood. It was either that or the cops, cause dog was keeping my daughter up. His wife told mine he was embarrassed, not what I was trying to do, but it has seemed to work. How long?....time will tell.

scottmandue · 08-09-2006, 12:58 PM

You suck at diplomacy eh?

You need:
One pair of old boxer shorts.
One wife beater shirt, preferable stained, if not spill a little coffee and ketchup on it.
One rickety old lawn chair.
One case of cheap beer and/or bottle of cheap whiskey.
One pack of lucky strikes.
One AM radio tuned into the local country western station.

Put on shirt and shorts and position chair in front yard facing offending neighbor. Chug one beer, crush it on your forehead and proceed to use it as an ashtray then begin to clean your shotgun.
If your neighbor says anything to you compliment her with "you got a purty mouth".

But seriously,
Yes your neighbor is rude, if you don't want to speak to them face to face you could at least drop a note in their mailbox asking if they are going to pay for the repair of your mailbox.

Jims5543 · 08-09-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Racerbvd
Is she hot, does she have big boobs?? Pictures!!

No, No and No.

Trust me on this one.

I initially thought she was in her late 60's (about 8 years ago) and thought I could hang in there if you know what I mean. It turns out she is in her early to mid 50's NOW.

cmccuist · 08-09-2006, 01:20 PM

Get a gas blower and blow all the crap back onto her yard. If the mailbox just needs straightening, just bend it/pull it back into place, but spend a lot of time doing it during a time when your neighbor is sure to see what you're doing. They'll get the message.

Jims5543 · 08-09-2006, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 85eurocarrera
Bummer. I am only going on 2 years with my situation. I Just put a deck on so I have been more aggresive on trying to stop it before it goes on for much longer. It has been alot better since I went over, they were not home at the time as usual, and took thier dog for a walk around the neighborhood. It was either that or the cops, cause dog was keeping my daughter up. His wife told mine he was embarrassed, not what I was trying to do, but it has seemed to work. How long?....time will tell.

Board on board 6' tall wood fences do wonders. After the storms in 2004 she had our board on board stuff pulled out and replaced with shadowbox. I wish she would have consulted with me I would have been happy to split the cost of the fence and have board on board again.

Her ex-husband used to stand in their back yard, smoking and staring at my wife like a lion looking at a piece of raw meat.

I am getting ready to install board on board in my yard, her dogs are really stupid and if they cannot see you they do not bark.

Jims5543 · 08-09-2006, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cmccuist
Get a gas blower and blow all the crap back onto her yard. If the mailbox just needs straightening, just bend it/pull it back into place, but spend a lot of time doing it during a time when your neighbor is sure to see what you're doing. They'll get the message.

Thats kind of the plan. I mow my lawn on Friday afternoons. If its still there I am going to blow it back into her yard.

I am going to install a new mailbox anyway ours is pretty tattered. It has weather 3 hurricanes.

I think I might order that one Fastpat gave a link to, its pretty stout.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Had a neighbor who was often gone. He had a college age son, with a puppy that barked all night long, tied up outside our window. I went over to ask him to put the dog in, or at least in front of his house. He was ready to fight about it, "F*CK you!, he is fine where he is"(the father was out of town) and got right up in my face, waiting for me to throw a punch. Just shook me head, went over and patted the puppy on the head and said, "Nice looking dog, be a shame if something happened to him." Never saw that dog out there barking again. Called the police on those guys many times, never did any good.