How should I deal with a nasty/anonymous/nosy neighbor?

Question

We purchased our first home 4 months ago. We have a new baby and my husband and I both work full time. We are doing the very best we can at home ownership. We live in a state that sometimes means that if you work any overtime/weekend/evening hours and get a few days of bad weather you might not get to mow your lawn for over a week. We are doing the very best we can though. We received an anonymous and fraudulent "township" violation in the mail that said our house was violating the "blight ordinance." It had only been eight days (m to tues) since the lawn was mowed. How do I annoy my picky and rude neighbors legally since I don't know who they are and they will likely never be caught for their crime? I feel like "going to the mattresses." They should not make me uncomfortable in my own home. This was wrong and cowardly. What would you do?

To the strange person who mentioned my shower...there is no window in the bathroom...but we live next door to a REALLY OLD LADY and she might have a window in her bathroom...maybe you were there. Hahaha. At any rate, we are totally talk it out people if we had been given the option, to those of you who mentioned that, but, this was sent anonymously. So we can't talk it out because we don't know who we would need to respond to. I have also verified with the local government that it was fraudulent. And "go to the mattresses" is from The Godfather it means all out war...I'm thinking regular parties, loud music, grass as long as it can get legally, etc. We are good neighbors. If they believe we aren't, I feel like showing them what a bad neighbor really would be.

Answer 1

you need to talk with them...

Answer 2

I too, am a homeowner. I have a lawn service come to my property and mow the lawn twice a month (every other week). Should there be an abudence of rain, my lawn too "looks like a jungle".

Here's my suggestion.

You can have an informal lawn party to invite your neighbors over to basically get acquinted. You can serve soft drinks and chips with dip - nothing to run you over your budget. When everyone is assembled, you can "quiet the crowd" with an announcement that you are very happy to now live in such a lovely neighborhood and that you are very happy to have such wonderful neighbors. You can continue on with telling them that since both your husband and yourself work, that your neighbors will likely be listening to your lawnmower on Saturdays (when it is not raining) and hope that you will not be disturbing anyone. You can joke about the fact that your lawn looks like a jungle and ask the neighbors if anyone sees a lion or tiger in your yard, to please call you. Everyone will be laughing and in a good, joking mood and then you continue on with saying that you and your husband were very upset recently because you received a "blight ordinance from the township" in your mail and you immeidately called the township office and was informed that this was a fradulent correspondence and that the town would now be investigating this compliant because not only is it considered "harrassment", it's also a federal law because the person or persons involved have used the postal agency. You can continue on saying that you and your husband have certainly not tried to offend anyone in your community and hope that something of this nature never happens again and that everyone can live in harmony with each other.

I'm sure that the guilty party (if they are there) will be very chastised and embarrassed and even if they are not present at your lawn party, word will get back to them and this will be the last that you hear from them.

Good Luck and Enjoy your party!

Answer 3

Throw that party! Let the grass grow, mow when you can. Some people don't have any idea what goes on in others lives. My lawn doesn't always get the attention it needs either.

Next time you see a neighbor, ask if they left the phony violation, you might must spook the person by telling them that whoever left the note could get sued for impersonating township clerks. You did keep evidence didn't you? lol let them know how you had the phony violation dusted for fingerprints and that you think someone is planning on breaking in to your home and what-not and it's on file at the township office. Go all CSI on them. If they are anything like my neighbors, word will get around pretty fast!

Answer 4

I'd let the lawn go wild until right before you think you would get a real notice. Very specifically, I would make time to stand out and water it or plant flowers when I should be mowing. If you have community mailboxes, tape a copy of the fake to it (you'll probably get some more). That neighbor will tear it down. Just keep putting it up. I'm sure you aren't the only neighbor he's done it to.
It's probably the old, cranky retired guy with a perfect lawn who doesn't attend any neighborhood block parties. He'll be easy to spot.

Answer 5

You might want to make sure your violation was fraudulant before you fly off the handle, some townships and neighborhoods do have such ordinances and are strictly enforced. If it is fraudulant, just keep to yourself and ignore the nastygrams, if they dislike your home that much they can come talk to you in person.

Answer 6

Take a small hand or pocket mirror, and attach it to your home in such a way so that it is facing your nosy neighbor's house. Old, old magick.

Personally? I'd go outside at night, armed with a stuffed animal and a good amount of fake blood. Let them see you doing your "ritual" while you gesture madly toward their abode. Leer at them evilly when you see them next.

Also, go here and look at the menu on the left side for "Anna Riva Oils". Look for the "hot foot oil", I think it's on the second page.

http://themagickalcat.com/page/mxct/Shopping.html

Answer 7

WTF does 'going to the mattresses' mean??

Some neighborhood require you to keep a neat lawn. If it is such a big deal, ask a neighborhood kid to mow it for some extra cash. That way you are keeping up on it, even when you can't. Next best thing is to hire a landscaper to come and cut it. <-- that will cost more than a neighorhood kid though.

If you REALLY want them to piss you off, mow it at night. They want it mowed right? Well, do it on YOUR time.

Answer 8

Well I know my father is apart of the homeowner's association and they have a website that post everyone's comments and issues. I would first see if you have that options so that you can let them know what is going on. I would try to ignore them and try to concentrate on your new home and baby. We stay in a all white mostly neighborhood and we got looked at strangely, door got egged and some other strange things went on. We had to deal with it. BUT also my father complained to the homeowner's association and he got through to them that way. So I would see what options you have and gone on from there.

Hope this helps

Answer 9

I would take the letter to the township and see what they could do...maybe they could help you out. Or turn the letter over to the authorites as harassment. You both work hard and it's your lawn,you should be able to mow it or not mow it. They don't own your property. Good luck to you!

Answer 10

I would set up a hidden camera and see who it was. Once you find out start sending them annoying letters. If you can't afford a camera, put a sign up in the yard that says "End the blight ordinance". Sounds like someone has too much time on their hands. I hate nose busybodies.

Answer 11

well the best way u can deal with that is to talk with them and if does not work find out where is the nearest surveillance's and buy 4 small camera's and about your yard find a young man who's trying to make a little money 4 the summer