Alcoholic neighbors and fence

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

My husband I have lived in our home for 12 years. We've had no problems with anyone except two alcoholic(by their own admission) people(man and woman) neighbors who live nextdoor. Since we've lived here, this couple has done everything imaginable to make our life hell. When they are sober, they're tolerable. When drunk, they do strange things like pile snow up against my home, against the gas meter and they even throw snow onto my porch. The woman comes into our fenced backyard at night. She's convinced she has property in our backyard and that she's been fenced out(fence they put up with a gate attached to our home). They never got a survey, but we did. The newest behavior is bringing their dog over into our yard to poop and urinate several times a day, even at 3am-no they don't clean up the poop and there are parasites in the feces that kinda look like earthworms. In our city, allowing dogs to use private property is illegal, even if you clean it up. We installed security cameras to document all the madness.Yes, we've reported this to police and they've issued citations for treaspass and littering which made it ok for a while. After they drink, it starts all over.

My home disaster starts with a fence. We had a decorative 3 foot fence installed in our front yard this past Saturday. We had a survey done, had it inspected before installation and stayed within code. These neighbors are angry to the point of threatening us. None of the fence is in their yard, but it is near their driveway, but with legal setback and approved by property inspector. They're saying the fence keeps them from using my front yard when they need to unload their van. The man wants us to "string" up the property survey stakes (that we paid for) to prove we have legal setback correct and that we aren't using any of his grass near driveway on our side. We refused. They woman has been doing everything she can to destroy the fence "accidentally" and this was caught on camera; the fence is wrought iron. I'm starting to hate we installed a fence and I feel like it was a disaster to do so! They've told other neighbors that their intention is to harass us until we have to move. They do not own their home anymore as they went through bankruptcy and had to sell to their daughter before it was taken by bank. Now they rent from her. I don't know if they have the same rights as a homeowner when it comes to demanding property changes.

I am stressed, afraid and depressed about this. Should I remove the fence to keep the peace and just deal with the poop and trespass? We do plan to move, but as you all know that takes time and cash. Any suggestions appreciated.

Featured Answer

gregbradley

9 years ago

Notify the HOMEOWNER with a certified letter.

Document the continued violations.

Call the police on the person(s) doing the illegal acts. Push for arrests and/or citations.

Notify the HOMEOWNER with a certified letter again.

Sue the HOMEOWNER.

Evict the tenants from the house after you own it.

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Comments (10)

pudgeder
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I wouldn't remove the fence nor would I deal with the poop.

I'd probably flip it right back over the fence.

I'd install locks on the gate(s). I would install motion lights on the back of my property so they come on at night should they or anyone else entered. I might even install some of those water sprinkler that go off when they detect motion.

I'd report to the police every infraction.

I'd document every incident, and make a DVD file of all the recordings.

If the police don't do anything, I'd talk to the DA about pressing charges.

If you feel physically threatened, you might take out a restraining order. These people are nothing but bullies, and they need to be dealt with.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.
inga39401 thanked pudgeder
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inga39401
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you both for the amazing advice, your input is truly appreciated. Situations like this are mentally difficult and stressful, to say the least. I'm glad to know we are on the right track with the fence and cameras.
Russ Barnard
9 years ago
Do not sent the poop back. Follow the law. Document it all. You will win, but only if YOU do not cross that line. If you cross that line, the chances dwindle exponentially that you can come out on top and this turns into a long drawn out war.

Stay legal. Document, take videos, pictures, etc. Send certified letters to them as well as the daughter, in case she is the legal owner of the home.

Get a lawyer and keep the police going and citing them over and over till the people flat out have to give you their home for harassment and pain and suffering.

Keep it legal and do not do NOT stoop to their level.

The stress will get easier as you continue to win and that can ONLY happen if you keep good records and stay within the law.

Good luck.

R
inga39401 thanked Russ Barnard
toxcrusadr
9 years ago
All good advice but I doubt you'll be able to take their home away from them. As a non-attorney it seems to me that the courts would allow you to sue for damages, and you would have to prove damages in X amount. Which someone would have to pay in cash. Now if they didn't have cash, maybe they'd have to sell the house to pay you, but I doubt they would just turn over the house, since they know exactly what you'd do next.

The other angle is continued citations by the cops, restraining orders and/or criminal prosecution by the DA.

Either way might force an eviction I suppose, which would be a good outcome in any case.

I like the motion activated sprinklers!
inga39401 thanked toxcrusadr
Russ Barnard
9 years ago
It was not meant they could literally take their home. It meant they
could sue them and take them to the cleaners if they keep messing with
them.
inga39401 thanked Russ Barnard
debbie12153
9 years ago
I'd fix the gate so it can't be opened, if it is allowing them entrance to your yard from theirs.
inga39401 thanked debbie12153
inga39401
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everyone. I'm certainly going to take everyone's advice into serious consideration. I'm glad to know that we're doing some things right. We do plan to get the police more involved and contact an attorney, if the fence doesn't work. I love this forum! Everyone here has been helpful and courteous and I appreciate it!
elpaso1
9 years ago
Padlock your gate. Get a lawyer to file a cease and desist letter or get a restraining order.
inga39401 thanked elpaso1
hooked123
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I very much like the motion light and sprinkler ideas! My Mother-in-law put in motion detector sprinklers and the neighborhood cats that used her yard as their personal litter box stopped immediately. Document and report every infraction. Don't put the potty back on their lawn, your too upstanding for such nonsense.
inga39401 thanked hooked123