Q&A for How to Deal With Your Neighbour's Unsightly Property

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What if the property is owned by the bank; how would I go about having them maintain the property?

Community Answer

I contacted the bank and informed them of the terrible appearance of their property. They hired a contractor to mow and trim up hedges, etc. Now the problem is rats! Another call to the bank from me and now I wait to see when the exterminator shows up, but so far I've had success.

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Question

Who can I contact about junk cars in a neighbor's yard?

Community Answer

Many cities will have a derelict vehicle by-law in place. Your best bet is to contact City Hall, or a housing authority. Your last course of action would be the local police, as they have officers who deal with by-law enforcement.

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Question

How do I deal with my neighbor having lots of cats that are not cared for?

Community Answer

Have you tried expressing your concern to your neighbor? Start there. If that doesn't work, this is neglect and a form of animal abuse. Report your neighbor to the police.

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Question

The water board has erected an unsightly steel fence opposite my house and it is an eyesore. What can I do about it?

Community Answer

Let them know your thoughts and see what happens, if they do nothing, get your neighbors to sign a petition asking for a solution.

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Question

Do I have the right to kill poison ivy at an abandoned house?

Community Answer

If the house is truly abandoned and has a mortgage, then the bank holding that mortgage will take back the property and the landscaping duties. If the property has no mortgage, the county government will petition to take back the property eventually and subsequently the landscaping responsibilities. If the property goes up for sale via a realtor, then you should contact the realtor about maintaining the property. With that said, if I were in your shoes and foresaw no problem with helping keep up my neighborhood, I would go ahead and eradicate the invasive poisonous weeds, but be aware that you may encounter some issues with whoever is in charge of maintaining the property.

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Question

How can I raise my neighbor's awareness about dumping waste materials?

Community Answer

Call your local environmental department. They will most likely be happy to come out and talk to your neighbor about proper waste disposal.

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Question

Who do I contact to enforce property laws on a neighbor's unkempt property?

Community Answer

First, attempt to either ask them or help them to keep it up before contacting anyone. Making that call can result in fines and such and can escalate for no reason. A little communication with your neighbors can go a long way. Exhaust your options before making things difficult for them. You can always do it yourself if it's that big of a deal. Have the other neighbors chip in too, if they can.

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Question

My neighbor's trees are hanging over my side. What can I do?

Community Answer

Talk to them about it, and see if you or they could trim them.

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Question

My neighbor's yard is very trashy, and his apartment is filthy. California laws protect him. He picks through the trash and puts the trash in his apartment. How can I get his yard cleaned up?

Community Answer

Ask him if you could help clean up his yard and his apartment. If he says no, there's not much you can do about it. As you said, the law is on his side.

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Question

My neighbor put an occupied trailer alongside their fence that is 5 feet above the fence. What should I do if they ignored the HOA letter?

Community Answer

Before you do anything, reason with them. Ask them to do something about it. If they ignore you AND the HOA, report them to the authorities.

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Question

How can I report a neighbor who has overgrown bushes blocking a common walkway in Philadelphia?

Community Answer

There should be a city code enforcement office. I would recommend asking your neighbor politely to take care of the bushes before contacting a local government official.

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Question

A third party owns three garages in a block, all of which are in bad repair. What action can I take, as they are affecting the other garages on the block?

Community Answer

Talk to the owners and provide evidence of how their unkempt garages affect other garages. Offer to help and try to organize a group that agrees with you to help on a certain date.

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Question

Should I be concerned about my family's health if the neighbors have insulation, garbage, old paint, oil cans and many other old household items dumped on the border of our properties?

Community Answer

As long as no one gets hurt or eats any of it, you should be fine. That said, you are well within your neighborly rights to ask them to move it or get rid of it. List your concerns and reasons. Offer to help them take it to a junk yard or a deposit site. If they refuse, you can't do much because it's still on their property.

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Question

How do I ask my neighbor to clean up a mess on their yard?

Community Answer

Try to politely talk to them about it without being confrontational. Ask if they need help cleaning it up.

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