The Old Folks Home

[lovesfarms]

No but I'm sure it is common. When I had my last house lot surveyed (all 44' x 100' of it) before putting up a fence the neighbor was surprised where the lot lines came out.


Yep.


Possibly. But if you don't claim what is yours, they will own it like Penny said.

File the survey with the town/city zoning office and mention the offending fence. If they should have gotten a permit for the fence and didn't the town can take them to court (if they don't get a permit if necessary and move it) instead of you.

Of course the town may not care to bother but it is easier than you having to deal with the neighbors. If the town doesn't force them to move the possibly illegal fence it might be worth a few hundred dollars to have a lawyer tell them to move the fence so you don't have to put up with their aggression.

Does the fence meet zoning rules? Some places are kind of specific about types of fence and how they are put up. For example a vertical board fence pretty much always has to have the posts and horizontal pieces on the constructor's side leaving the "more attractive" side for others to see. Chain link has to have the posts and horizontals on the constructor's side as well.

They have chain link but I have to look closer. So maybe the first place to start is the township and see if they got a permit. They have a small yard and their 3 dogs have so completely torn it up they had to put straw bales down to keep the soil from washing down on their house. The yard is on a steep hill.

 

[lovesfarms]

The guy used to approach me and tell me what I can and can't do but if DH came around, he would disappear. This morning I was in the yard and out of the corner of my eye I noticed the neighbor kept walking back and forth looking in my directions. I got shaky in my shoes cause that's how he acts when he's ready to run over and tell me what to do. Then I realized the surveyors were here! Then his wife, on her porch called way across my (big) yard to the surveyors in friendly fashion. Really odd! I wouldn't even call to her that far away. I was in the chicken house and as soon as I came out she went inside. I asked the surveyors not to share information with them. Surveying is expensive! And I was told to get a certificate made in preparation for a disagreement

 

[lovesfarms]

The lawyer that was going to help us got sick and can't now.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I would see if he can recomend a new one send a letter can often be all you need

 

[drumstick diva]

Had trouble when we moved into our home over 50 years ago, no fences then. The people behind us kept letting their dog out and of course it ran into my yard to poop and make a mess every chance it got. She argued that it was her property. Well I had the survey and called a company out to fence the yard - cost plenty!!!

Funny she was a hair dresser and doing business out of her home/basement with no license. Her customers loved cutting through my yard as a shortcut to her place. The fence put a stop to that!!

 

[sourland]

Good morning, OF.

 

[cheepteach]

I was uncomfortable because they were mowing way over on what I was told was our property when we bought it. She said when they bought their property it showed our front yard so she thinks it belongs to them. Next time she tells me the bushes belong to them. He also tried to intimidate me when DH isn't around. I don't argue, just decided to prove with a survey. The first time the surveyors came out they stopped talking and mowing over quite as far but are still mowing and wed eating over here. I keep mowing over it too so they don't claim it till I know what we should do next. They are both a lot more aggressive them me. I want what's mine and enjoy it, not fight for it

but some people just bluster and bully their way hoping no one crosses them. If you let them get their way they will keep on taking advantage. Like the loudmouth who pushes to the front of the line ahead of others---they often get their way because no one wants confrontation

 

[CSolis]

Good Morning OF. Just came back in from my 45 minute cardio workout (i.e. lawn mowing). When I reached the top of the back steps (there's a 5 x 5 deck there) I spotted an interesting sight. There's been one of those golden orb weave spiders there the last week building a web, and boy is it a web and a half. Well, this morning there was a bumble bee caught up in it. I got there just as she retrieved the big bee and started to immobilize it by spinning a partial cocoon around it. Once that was completed she hauled it to the center of the web where she had a caterpillar

. Here she is with the bumble bee.

 

[Sally PB]

I am a non-confrontational person too. I am so glad we get along with all the neighbors back here. Like I tell every one of them, we (collectively) are the first line of defense back here. I can be there long before the cops/paramedics/fire department.

No, I can't be or do the job of the cops/paramedics/fire department, but I will help any way I can. Implied with that is, let's all get along, for everyone's sake.

@lovesfarms, I'm sorry you are dealing with this problem.

 

[getaclue]

In our county, the fence has to be so many feet back from the property line, as well as having a permit. The surveyor should put stakes, or markers, so the property lines are marked. Here, you can complain to Code Enforcement too. They will come check permits, and make sure the fence is placed where it should be, or make them move the fence. There should be an equivalent agency for those that break the zoning rules.