My neighbor has poor drainage in his yard. He has several unfinished outdoor projects that are causing massive flooding in his yard. As a result, the water has begun to flood my property and I am now having flooding in my basement. I've never had this problem until he started all these projects. This is the 3rd time my basement has been flooded in a year. The first time I complained to him, and he set up a hose and tried draining the area. I later found out, he was draining into the woods behind our houses, the water was again flooding a different part of my property.
As a result of this current flood, I'm have to throw out much of things I had stored in my basement.
What should I do about this situation now. Do I try talking to him again?
2007-04-15 12:35:32 · 10 answers · asked by Answer Girl 2007 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I should also add, he was very upset by my first intial complaint. I had someone from the town come out and look at the situation. He is very stubborn about the whole situation. He riped up his driveway last summer, and hasn't had one since. It's going on a year. We live in the northeast and have lots of rain this time of year. He is well aware that flooding can take place. He has it in his own basement.
2007-04-15 12:47:05 · update #1
CALL THE CITY!!! you are going to have to report him! Do not talk to him anymore!
Be sure you take pictures and start documenting everything.
2007-04-15 12:38:08 · answer #1 · answered by 1901pink 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There have been several good suggestions about contacting the state or local government in your area. Before you contact anyone either video or photograph ALL of the unfinished projects that your neighbor has started. Take a newspaper from the current day and make sure that you photograph that on the land for the first picture so you can document what date they were taken (camera dates can be altered). Also take pictures of all the damage to your property including the basement walls. Then determine who are the best officials to contact. I had a similar issue with a neighbor next door. His projects were potentially going to cause damage to my property. First, I contacted the city / county and asked them what the regulations were on said project. I asked what my rights were as a neighbor and citizen of the City/ County. Be sure and document whom you speak to, first and last name, what office they hold, and their direct line contact number, and what date you talked to them and what their general comments were. Repeat back what they tell you after they are done. This will let them know that you are paying attention and taking notes. It also clarifies what they have told you, and generally gets a quicker response time for you. Get a copy of the laws / codes that he is in violation of if you can. In my case the city contacted my neighbor right away and made sure that he had all the proper permits in place and that his projects were up to code. It sounds like you have done what you can as a good neighbor by talking to him; I had done the same with mine. But his agenda was not the same as mine (to preserve my property in tack), so he was annoyed that I had followed up with the city. This could be the same in your case. From what you have stated it sounds like his projects include some sort of building or laying of a foundation. Most counties require a permit for this. Also if he is moving the dirt around and it has cause the drainage of the land to change you can contact the Bureau of Land management ~ due to the fact that he is draining water into the woods behind your home. Also you can ask them what the current water table is for your area. If all these efforts fail contact your local news media and suggest this for a story. The press is a wonderful thing! Good Luck!
2007-04-15 20:36:28 · answer #2 · answered by having too much fun 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd try to dig out some sort of drainage ditch. Dig a long skinny sort of ditch to catch some of the water. Also, put down some mulch around the perimeter of your home (if feasible) and then if all that doesn't work then you'll have no other choice but to go to your neighbor. Maybe you'll get lucky & he'll ask what you're doing (you can let him see how much trouble he's causing) & he'll clean up his act on his own.
2007-04-15 19:43:22 · answer #3 · answered by mommyrayne 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Contact your local officials to deal with him. Meantime, a sump pump in the basement can help with the flooding. But it should be at his expense.
2007-04-15 19:47:31 · answer #4 · answered by ~RedBird~ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look up the laws in your area. I know where I live you can not drain into your property...it has to be put in a truck and sent off
2007-04-15 19:38:49 · answer #5 · answered by jp8 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You gave him one chance already and it doenst sound like it did any good. Call the city, or the county, depending on where you live.
2007-04-15 19:40:44 · answer #6 · answered by waker_me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Report it to the city. They can make him clean that up as this is a health hazard.
2007-04-16 10:11:09 · answer #7 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Don't contact him again. Let bygons be bygons and deal with the basement yourself. You would have accomplished a task that was put in your way
2007-04-15 19:41:54 · answer #8 · answered by ally 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
If this was happening to me, I would call my insurance agent that I have my homeowner insurance through.
2007-04-15 19:40:41 · answer #9 · answered by Michelle S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
report them to your local road and bridge department as they will come and investigate what is going on.
2007-04-15 19:38:33 · answer #10 · answered by donna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋