Depending on where you live, if he plants and maintains part of your property without permission, he could, after a number of years (here it is 15 I think), take the part of the property he has been maintaining by adverse possession. My son was able to do that when he bought a house and the previous owner had been taking care of a part of the property that fell in the middle of the back yard which was ridiculous. Son wanted to buy the land cutting his yard in two, so he could fence in for his toddlers and dog, in order to have a nicer backyard for his three children and to be sure the new owners of the house behind did not fence their part dividing his in two. It was such an odd little shape. They agreed, but then never responded after a while to his requests for how much they wanted. Finally, he just went to court and was granted the adverse possession at which point the new owners contacted him to say "but you said you would pay us." This had taken over a year of DS waiting and asking and waiting. There really was no way for them to use this narrow strip. They are all fine now-folks behind have a larger lot than DS, so it was not a big deal, but it was annoying. Long story, but I would never allow anyone to plant anything on my property, although I believe if you grant permission, adverse possession would not apply.

Despite the benefits of collaborating and feeling generous, and the great benefits one sometimes gets from “ borrowed landscapes”
, my Spidey sense is somehow on alert here and I would say, I’m sorry, but no.

Your experience with previous neighbor is on point. Once there’s a wide swath of tall grass on your side, you don’t really know where the fence ( or “ fence line”). might end up creeping. Or hill decide he wants it deeper, or something taller, because after all, it’s no longer in his yard. Plus he, or you may sell at some point and then there would be new owner headaches even with survey markers, or especially so.

The grass may prove invasive- it can be hard to get rid of, and if you used herbicide you might be accused of killing his. He would have an interest in the grasses growing, so might want to access your yard or something. Many tall grasses need to be cut back annually, and that can be a big chore.

What you might think about is whether, if your yard is big enough, do you want to create your own “ view “ and a natural screening with a mixed planting of tall shrubs and small trees — something really nice in different seasons.

It would need to be designed to be away from the fence for growth room, access, and not having trees or whatever drop stuff over the fence. Point being, plant what you want, if at all, for privacy and enjoyment.

Unless , if you think the “ tall grass” is ideal for you, too, but even then it would be better if YOU planted YOUR grass- it’s not his. Plus you’d still have what I see as his ability to just extend his yard into yours while hidden from view.

Be prepared though for him to be mystified as to why you won’t agree, and not happy. If so that also tells you something.

You describe the grass as "wild" which means it doesn't suit your aesthetic. That's enough reason to say no.

Just say no, explaining that you had a bad experience in the past.

No. That is why we have fences.

Agree with littlebug. It could very well be a slippery slope.

Nope. Nope. Nope. And if they get fussy, be prepared to get a survey and new fence done. Good fences make for good neighbors. If they want more space, they can cut back grass on their side of the fence on their property. If that won't cut it, they might need to consider a privacy fence.

A section of privacy fence adjacent to the pool sounds like THEIR best option: not your problem. Let them figure it out on their own land.

since land or space is not of consequence ... come in about 10-15 feet.. and plant a line of green giants or some such .. and tell them in a few years .. the trees will accomplish the site line break .. and to stay the hell off your property ...

ken

One possibility is to sell them a chunk of your land.

Get a survey ASAP. Make sure the fence is on the line. NO to the neighbor planting anything in your yard. If you want to plant the same stuff, that is different. But, you take care of yours and he takes care of his.

Blair,

If you are in a residential area, chances are there are already corner markers in the ground from the when the land was laid out for development. You can contact your city offices and they will come out and find them for you. There may be a charge but not as bad as a survey would cost. Here it's like $50/hr. for them to come out. It took them less than a 1/2 hr. to find mine.

We have two neighbors, one next to us we love, next to her everyone HATES. Hated neighbor decided to plant a row of shrubs. A lawyer got involded and said a survey needed to be done, which it was. Hated neighbor was just inside property line.

This is as others have stated a slippery slope with many negatives. Understanding the power of the NO word is tremendous and to the point. USE IT.

Your neighbor having a fence on your property is going to be a problem when you sell your house.

Just no. Definitely no. I understand being neighborly, but he is essentially trying to take your property (in order to have more use of his). You don't need to explain yourself either. It's perfectly reasonable to say "No. Our property is landscaped how we like." If he wants the tall grass, he can grow it on his own property. If the grass takes up too much space, he can come up with a new landscaping solution that suits him, on his own property not yours.