Background info: I own a unit in a small group of 10 in a nice quiet neighbourhood. I have completed renovations about 6 months ago which meant there was some nuisance noise (always within legal hours). To apologise for the inconvenience I bought the neighbour attached to my unit a bottle of bourban as a bit of a peace pipe.
Since I have moved into the unit though, I'm getting very frustrated with him. Hi gets up at work at 5am and clobbers past my bedroom window to get to his car. There is a designated path for that unit to get to the common driveway and carpark, but he chooses to walk over my garden and directly in front of my unit to cut time. I get woken up every morning! Any suggestions on how to let him know it's tiring! I've planted some plants and shifted some rocks at the edge of his verandah, but now that just means he something to jump over! AAAAhhhhh I'm so tired!
I also don't believe it's a matter for the police!!! thanks for any advice :)
2007-05-06 23:31:16 · 15 answers · asked by dogcazza 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
There's an old saying:
"Great fences make great neighbours."
He probably has no idea that he wakes you up. So, you're going to either have to talk to him (which could go either way depending on the mood he's in) or build a fence.
I'd be tempted to be out there with a hose-pipe at the time he normally cuts across ;-)
2007-05-06 23:41:06 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Have you been friendly with him at any time other than the "bottle of bourbon"? If you had you could talk to him easily. If you haven't why not? What's really going on? Did you buy him the bourbon coz he's a drunk? Is he likable or not? Is he friendly or too friendly for you? Or does he do other things that are annoying to you. I could go on and on. Is he what a reasonable person would call normal or would a reasonable person think he was a bit crazy? Do you think he's doing it on purpose or was he taking this path to his car before you arrived?He may not have a clue that he's bothering you. There are probably a lot more things that you could take into consideration but you have to know where this is all coming from before you decide to take police or legal action. That's just a waste of money and a surefire stressmaker.
2007-05-07 20:34:56 · answer #2 · answered by Watcher 465 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
#1 know that this will probably get a bit ugly the deeper you go in. I have had to deal with a situation like this as a new home owner. The first thing that you should start doing in keep a simple journal of what is going on. Nothing fancy just a record of the date/time and what went on be it the dog or the butts on your lawn. After about a week I would contact the sheriffs department in your county because this is a civil matter. If you dont have a sheriffs office call the non emergency ph# for your local police department. The dog barking at late hours probably violates your community noise ordinance. One or two calls to the police on this will 1 put your neighbors on notice and 2 let the police know that you are having a problem. Having the journal of the prior occurrence will aid you incase any unpleasantries develop. Journals can be used in court as long as they are dated and authorities are made aware that you are keeping one regarding the matter. But the most sure fire way to put an end to the butt problem - and probably the most painful way to end it is becoming friendly with them. I'm not saying invite them to your house for dinner or anything like that. But if they realize that they are the odd neighbor out in the community they wont give a rats @$$ about putting their butts in your yard. If you rise above the rest of the neighbors you might gain a little respect in their eyes all around. Yes it will probably be painful making nice with them, but just like you probably tell your kids "you catch more bees with honey than vinegar." not just that, but you might find out a little bit more about them that might shed some light on their "charming disposition." You can choose your friends, and you can choose your spouse, but you cant choose your neighbors. What you can choose is how you go to war with them should the battle lines be drawn. You share a property line with them so this is your first test of compatibility. I hope all ends well.
2016-04-01 00:25:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First I have two words for you.. POISON IVY!
Second, If this is your garden and your along and not a walk way I suggest putting up a very large trellis with vines and flowers. They make them around up to 6 feet tall.
THen he can not walk over anything and will have to walk on the path that he is suppose to.
2007-05-07 00:34:44 · answer #4 · answered by LadyCatherine 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Have you actually asked him if he would mind keeping it very quiet when he crosses over before dawn, or if he would mind taking the walkway since you are trying to keep your garden nice?
Rearranging some plants and rocks may not be the clear message you think it is.
2007-05-07 01:45:37 · answer #5 · answered by CrazyChick 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I understand wanting to be peaceful and not liking confrontation. If it bothers you to have to talk to him, put up a picket fence (hopefully he won't try to hop over it).
My neighbor on one side wakes me up every Monday at 5 a.m. on the dot, rolling the trash can out to the street. The one on the other side of me has a very loud muffler, and leaves at 4:00 a.m. every day. I have gotten used to all the noise. You can try those 'white noise' machines. I have friends who use them, who swear by them.
2007-05-07 01:38:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can you set up a sprinkler sytem with a timer? I bet if the sprinklers came on at 4:55 he would use a different route at 5:00.
2007-05-07 00:23:15 · answer #7 · answered by Kat A. Tonic 5 · 10⤊ 0⤋
You can ONLY be used and taken advantaged of AS MUCH as you ALLOW. IF you do not believe it is a Police Matter, settle it between your selves as neighbors are supposed to do, BUT if that does not work and you have tried everything else, get a male friend to *speak* with him in PRIVATE where no one is around. Notice the word *private* as how it is worded. I am not advocating violence, BUT it seems that this *person* and I use the term lightly, is asking for what he gets. DO NOT change your life to suit him by any means. I suppose I am different from you, BUT I will not tolerate anyone running over me OR my family and anything else I have worked hard to get. I know it is just material things, BUT they are mine, and I got them honestly.
2007-05-06 23:43:12 · answer #8 · answered by Ex Head 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I think you need to be more proactive as far as making it "impossible" for him to tramp thru your garden - get a bird bath, a bench - whatever and put a stop to it. the first morning he can't get thru b/c you "re did" your garden - he will also get frustrated and walk around.
2007-05-07 00:24:57 · answer #9 · answered by abby 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You need to talk to him. There IS a chance that he does not realize he is waking you up (a slim chance, but still a chance!).
If talking to him does not work, wear earplugs.
2007-05-07 01:59:09 · answer #10 · answered by Terri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋