Dispute with the neighbors.?

Question

I just moved into a new house in a quiet suburb. My house is the newest (built in 1988). The neighbors on both sides of my have been there longer than my house has. When I first moved in I had some friends help me move. We were out back on my deck at approx. 7pm. We were talking but definantly not loudly. The older lady in the house to the right of mine looked out and then went away. The next day she came over and lectured me on not being loud past 6pm. I decided to build a fence in my back yard because I have a dog. The neighbor on the left of my house actually complained to the contractor that when my house was built (in 1988) that they took half her property to build it and so I should be grateful and not put a fence in. I think she just wants to be able to see everything going on. Myself and my fiance are young 22. It is obvious that my neighbors have the "there goes the neighborhood" attitude. We aren't bad people. So what should I do? Ignore them? Or speak up? Any suggestions?

Oh I should mention that we just moved in 11/30/06.

Daisy- My dog doesn't really bark at all. He is an unnaturally quiet basset hound. He doesn't even howl.

I can't really ignore my neighbors, they make it a point to make remarks any time they see me. Or I get a very smug look of "I'm better than you". One neighbor actually made a comment about how I managed to afford the house. I guess they figure since we are young that we are hoodlums or something. But I'm a mortgage broker and my fiance is in sales. We aren't your "typical" 22 year olds.

My neighbors property wasn't "taken" she did sell it to the city. For alot more than we paid for the house as it turns out. She got a good deal. I guess she is now regretting her decision. I have surveryors come out and the fence is being built going by the city guidlines 110%. I don't want to give them ANY reason to tear it down.

Answer 1

put some gargoyles in the front yard.and have a black party, meaning everyone wears black. or you can just invite them all over for coffee and talk about your differences.

Answer 2

Do you own the home? I would check your home paperwork to see if there was a survey done - it would have the property lines, fence lines and so. This is let you know for sure if the neighbor has a claim or not.
If she does not, then put up your fence. There isn't anything she can do about it - if it falls within your city's ordinances.
As to the other neighbor and noise - check with the local police about noise restrictions and time (some cities have an 11 p.m. 'all's quiet'). If you aren't playing music and talking in reasonable volumes and she does it again, ask her politely to close her windows.
In the meanwhile, talk to both neighbors nicely - and exchange phone numbers so that they will call you instead of calling the police if they have a complaint.

Answer 3

If you get lectured by your neighbors again politely inform them that you can do what ever you want on your property. Ignore these people and go about your life. You will not please them. They are not good neighbors.

Build your fence. Make sure you know the exact property line or your neighbor will have you in court. Also consider planting thick bushes near where the neighbor lives who complains about your noise. That will at least damp the sound.

Be prepared to have the police called on you for any infractions. I'd read up on all noise ordinances in your town. This way you will be able to let them know when the is and is not violated - and you can report them too if they step over the line.

Answer 4

Ignore it but be as nice and friendly as possible if they talk to you. If you want, you can get the property records and check and see if half her property really was "stolen" from her back in 1988. Whatever happened, I'm sure it was legal anyway and you can show her that if she continues to cause trouble based on that. I don't see any reason why you can't have a fence unless it conflicts with some sort of weird zoning laws. I don't see why you need to be silent after 6pm unless there is a town ordinance. I don't consider it to be rude unless you're making a lot of noise past 9pm or something and even that isn't so bad. There's no reason to 'speak up' unless she starts to become threatening. Take it easy for now and hope that they realize you are not 'problem people'. Over time, they may warm up to you.

Answer 5

Well I think you should check the bylaw noise restrictions in your area first, and keep a copy handy. Most bylaws regarding noise usually start 10-11pm, not 6pm. How old are these people in your neighborhood?? Now some people don't like change, and it's pretty clear that your neighbors are of those type. You paid for your house, you pay your property taxes, just like your neighbors. I would go about my business as usual, and if they have any complaints (unless you want to be buddy's with your neighbors) then hand them a copy of your bylaw info and tell them where to stick it. I know that may sound harsh, but some of these people need to realize that just because you live on a street, does not mean you get to control what happens outside your property line. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Put your fence up. I suggest a wood one so that nosy neighbors can be blocked out. It too will help with sound. I would also look at your vegitation around the yard and try to find some plants/bushes that help with the sounds also. And to the neighbor that is so upset about the property line and all have the city draw a line on what is yours and what is theirs.
Remember neither neighbor are paying your house payment.

Answer 7

You should try to be nice to your neighbors, you don't want to contribute to the animosity. Most neighborhoods have laws about noise control, but usually not until about 10 or 11 at night. You can try to be nice and explain that your friends were there to help you move in, etc. but that you feel it's not unreasonable to have a few people over at 7pm. Don't give her more reason to hate you if you can help it but don't just let her get away with the complaints.

If the neighbor is under the mistaken impression that some of your house belongs to her - then I would check the deed. It will say exactly what tract you own, and then put a fence around it.

Answer 8

Yeah, neighbor issues stink. My wife and I just moved because of them (apt. Smoke).

The truth of the matter is that you are allowed to do what ever you want on your property limited only by law. They are your neighbors' problems. I'm not trying to be harsh, but to function in society we all have to deal with people. I'm sure they're upset that you put up a fence, and that they might not be able to go to bed at 6pm, but it's your yard, and most people don't even get home before 6 and there's yard work to do.

I'd just keep doing your routine, as long as what you do is unintentional they really do need to understand.

You seem like a decent person and its great to know that people still care about what others think, and try to get along with everyone.

Good luck.

Answer 9

6pm is insane! Invite the woman over for coffee and discuss it when she isn't upset. Politely let her know that the noise ordinance doesn't start until usually 10 or 11, and even then you are definately allowed to talk. Invite her to the next gathering....and reach some sort of compromise if you can. As for the fence neighbor, it's good policy to inform the neighbor before putting up the fence, but it's your right to do so, and it will help you with noise lady. Your neighbors need to understand that you want to be neighborly, but you won't be pushed around. They're testing their boundaries, so shut them down.

Answer 10

Ah neighbors, they can be a blessing or the bane of your existence.

As for the "noise" ignore her and live your life. Check with your city/county (where ever you live) if there is a noise ordinace. Get a copy of it and keep it handy in case she ever calls on you again to complain. If she does come over just tell her --politely of course--that you are following the law, and she will just have to live with it.

As to the second neighbor and the fence...Robert Frost once wrote: "Something there is, that doesn't love a wall." I assume you built the fence on the property line, or on your side of the line. Again, you can check with your city/count/state records office and get a copy of your property and the actual physical description of the property. If she didn't want a wall, she shouldn't have sold her property to the people that built the house in the first place. Also if there are no deed/HOA restrictions on what you can/cannot do on the property, she will just have to live with the fence.

Ignore them, but if they bother you, just stand your ground and try to be nice.

Answer 11

Well, it sounds like she doesn't adapt to change very well. When you say "they took half her property" do you mean she sold it to a developer, or perhaps she thought she owned it.

Either way, she seems to have a bias against the house being there that may be impossible to get over. I'd suggest making one sincere effort to befriend her. As her over for tea or something similar one afternoon. Give her some advance notice too; being older she probably doesn't change her routine very frequently. Tell her, you got off on the wrong foot, and you'd like to be friends as well as neighbors, and then ask her about herself and how she remembers the neighborhood. She probably can tell you a lot about the area. She may even have raised her kids there.

On the subject of the fence, you should explain to her that it's so your dog won't be a nuisance to them, and that you are trying to be considerate.

If she's still hostile after all of that, well, they say good fences make good neighbors.....