Bad Neighbours - Advice Needed

[Kybosh]

So, last summer a new neighbour moved in beside me. I have a relatively large hedge on my side of the property and one day found that the new neighbour had absolutely decimated the hedge with tin snips (I had to remove the front bush because it became a safety hazard of sharp sticks). Anyway, I had a talk with them and thought we had come to an understanding that they would not trim my hedge anymore and just talk to me if it was encroaching on their property.

Fast forward to this year, I went to Edmonton for the day for work. Came home and they cut about 3' of height on the half of the hedge that is on their side (yet still on my property for the most part). This goes the entire length of the hedge and looks some complete sh*t. I've been trying to talk to them but they won't even answer their door. Anyway, I wrote a note and left it on their door talking about not trimming my hedge any more and just being a good considerate neighbour.

What can I do? What would you do? I'm quite livid as I'm likely going to be listing this property in the next few months for sale.

[trumpethead]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

So, last summer a new neighbour moved in beside me. I have a relatively large hedge on my side of the property and one day found that the new neighbour had absolutely decimated the hedge with tin snips (I had to remove the front bush because it became a safety hazard of sharp sticks). Anyway, I had a talk with them and thought we had come to an understanding that they would not trim my hedge anymore and just talk to me if it was encroaching on their property.

Fast forward to this year, I went to Edmonton for the day for work. Came home and they cut about 3' of height on the half of the hedge that is on their side (yet still on my property for the most part). This goes the entire length of the hedge and looks some complete sh*t. I've been trying to talk to them but they won't even answer their door. Anyway, I wrote a note and left it on their door talking about not trimming my hedge any more and just being a good considerate neighbour.

What can I do? What would you do? I'm quite livid as I'm likely going to be listing this property in the next few months for sale.

I would sell the property and move....

[puffnstuff]

I'd start peeing on his lawn, right by the front door.

And, to my neighbor, if you are on this board, yes, that IS what that smell is.

[AC]

I think the answer is obvious:


Edit: Oh god, I've become a cliche... I knew this seemed like déjà vu.
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=121130

[Northendzone]

Your neighbour is a tool. He must be related to the jackass that lives beside me.

[fundmark19]

Burn his house down! Problem solved

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

Fast forward to this year, I went to Edmonton for the day for work. Came home and they cut about 3' of height on the half of the hedge that is on their side (yet still on my property for the most part).

What does that even mean? Is it on your side or not? If it's on their side, while lacking communication, they might not be the only inconsiderate neighbour here.

But check the bylaws, see if you're following them. If you are, you can always threaten legal action for damage of property if they broke the law.

[opendoor]

It sounds like they're not going to be reasonable so it comes down to legality. Any branches that go over onto his property are fair game and he can do whatever he wants with them. So you don't really have any recourse for anything that wasn't totally on your side of the line since he can cut it regardless of how ugly it looks, with or without your permission.

If he did cut a bunch of stuff on your property then I'd point out to him that that's trespassing and he's financially liable for any damages, though since it's pruning and not removal of plants, there's probably not much that can be done in the way of remediation.

Since you're moving anyway, I wouldn't worry about keeping good relations. There's probably no way to fix what's already been done, but you could tell him if he ever touches anything on your property again that he'll be getting a visit from the police and a lawsuit.

My parents went through something similar a few years ago and the first couple of times they'd try to reason with the neighbor but the guy would be out there again the next year cutting stuff on their property. Eventually he cut a few trees down and they threatened him with legal action. A few days later the guy was out there planting about $1000 of new trees to replace the ones he cut down and they haven't had an issue since.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

What does that even mean? Is it on your side or not? If it's on their side, while lacking communication, they might not be the only inconsiderate neighbour here.

It means that there are a few branches here and there that may encroach onto their property. The entire hedge (all the roots) are on my property. Like I said, I've been going about this like a civilized person since last summer but they keep just doing whatever the hell they want. Hell, when they messed up the entire hedge last summer I cleaned it all up and took it to the dump as it's still my hedge.

[Sr. Mints]

Chop the hedge down and put up an 8' concrete wall.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

It means that there are a few branches here and there that may encroach onto their property. The entire hedge (all the roots) are on my property. Like I said, I've been going about this like a civilized person since last summer but they keep just doing whatever the hell they want. Hell, when they messed up the entire hedge last summer I cleaned it all up and took it to the dump as it's still my hedge.

Obviously they have an issue with your hedge. And yet you still allowed it to grow and cross onto their property. Depending on what exactly they cut they may have broken the law but as far as they are concerned you are an inconsiderate neighbour as well.

Take a look at it from their perspective, obviously they have an issue with your hedge. You say it is relatively large, maybe it's blocking the sun or something. Obviously it's more likely they believe they are being negatively effected by your bush than they simply woke up one day and decided "#### that guy." So if you're not trying to see it from their perspective you're simply not be considerate like you want them to be.

[Mr.Coffee]

Kinda funny when neighbours start arguing in a thread like this. Not sure you two have to do it over the internet though, go grab a beer or coffee and hash it out like normal people.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Obviously they have an issue with your hedge. And yet you still allowed it to grow and cross onto their property. Depending on what exactly they cut they may have broken the law but as far as they are concerned you are an inconsiderate neighbour as well.

Take a look at it from their perspective, obviously they have an issue with your hedge. You say it is relatively large, maybe it's blocking the sun or something. Obviously it's more likely they believe they are being negatively effected by your bush than they simply woke up one day and decided "#### that guy." So if you're not trying to see it from their perspective you're simply not be considerate like you want them to be.

I have no idea where you came up with that stuff. The hedge is about 5' high and well maintained. I'm the one knocking on their door asking how I can maintain it to keep them happy. Why can't they do me the same courtesy instead of just doing whatever they want? The crossing onto their property is really minimal and I have no problem with them (or me) trimming it back in those regards.

I'd rather not do any legal or bylaw thing here. Why can't neighbours just work together? They won't even answer their door.

[lifetimefan]

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

I have no idea where you came up with that stuff. The hedge is about 5' high and well maintained. I'm the one knocking on their door asking how I can maintain it to keep them happy. Why can't they do me the same courtesy instead of just doing whatever they want? The crossing onto their property is really minimal and I have no problem with them (or me) trimming it back in those regards.

I'd rather not do any legal or bylaw thing here. Why can't neighbours just work together? They won't even answer their door.

Care to explain that better?

"Came home and they cut about 3' of height on the half of the hedge that is on their side (yet still on my property for the most part)."

That's confusing. If your property line extended into the air, what did they cut? Was it on your side or theirs?

If they cut it on their side and the health of the bush isn't harmed, it's close to touch luck for you.

If they went beyond their property line and started trimming at least you have a sensible argument but probably wont do you much good if they wont communicate and you don't want to bring it any further.

[Kybosh]

When I say "their side", I mean the side facing their property. The entire hedge is on my property. My god.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

When I say "their side", I mean the side facing their property. The entire hedge is on my property. My god.

Okay, I was confused by the word choice. I apologize, but I'm beginning to get a better picture of why your neighbours might not be answering that door.

[Regulator75]

Let's see the Google street view of this hedge.

[NBC]

Am I the only one wondering if the neighbour in question has been posting in this thread?

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Okay, I was confused by the word choice. I apologize, but I'm beginning to get a better picture of why your neighbours might not be answering that door.

No, I'm pretty sure you're the culprit in all this. Your posts read like a finger in the chest.