I have a neighbor who is building a UGLY shack in his backyard, can I sue him?

Question

I have a neighbor who is building a UGLY, and I mean U-G-L-Y shack in his backyard, and although it's location is up to code, it is still very close to the property line (10 feet) It will surely lower my property value & I'll lose money! I called the city code enforcer and if they can't legally help me, the person I talked to said I could file a civil suit. What kind of civil suit would fit this scenario?

OK, I care because this thing is growing larger and in odd directions in shapes - and by the way: I ASKED A QUESTION IN LAW (L-A-W) YOU CAN SPELL THAT RIGHT? I DONT WANT A SNAPPY OPINION OR PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE BULLSHIAT!!! WHAT LEGAL RECOURSE CAN I FOLLOW??? I DON'T GIVE A CRAP WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT IT!!! I ASKED A LAW-RELATED QUESTION, NOT OPEN TO OPINIONS!!!!! If you are going to voice your opinion maaaaaaan, do it somewhere else!!!

OK, look people, this thing is visible from the road and almost every window in my house. If I can sell my house for $105,000, but I have to sell it for $100,000 because of my neighbor's eyesore, I just paid $5,000 out of my own damn pocket. It is possible and HAS HAPPENED before! Now, I want all of you people to tell me, how in the hell that is fair for someone to build a shack, and have someone not involved in it at all to give up $5,000 for no other reason than my neighbor is inconsiderate.

http://qy6avq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pvOrdE-clz9YVlrBuC8VWoMEJ5iyCrzQpUz7Hk__xx3ucLpGUqyv0pzwT4UtCOzuGxPYz1z-NkdDoPlY4HBaW6g

Ancho: Look, we all disagree on this (or all agree to disagree with me ;-) ), but I think we all agree that an arson threat is way out of line.

Answer 1

You can TRY to sue for nearly anything. Prevailing in court is another matter entirely. And of course what you choose to argue, sue, or fight over tells a lot about your character. I'm already starting to see who the bad neighbor may be in this situation and he's not the one with a "shack".

Then again, you could just mind your own business.

Answer 2

neighbor building ugly shack backyard sue

Answer 3

This might work if I had the right to decide how you live your life. As far as your property value I doubt it was all that to start with. You haven't lost anything. You are trying to get something for nothing and he should sue you for slandering him. Your little game will be seen by anyone court you should find yourself in and he will most likely win a sizeable judgement against you for harrassment!!!

Answer 4

Ugliness is not a grounds for suit.

If he is complying with all statutes and is on his side of the line, you're out of luck.

If you're that concerned with your property values, you might consider paying him to take it down and refrain from building for as long as you own your home.

Answer 5

Are you planning on selling your place anytime soon? If not, why do you care so much about your property value?

If it's up to code, then no I don't believe there is anything you can do about it. I highly doubt a civil case would do anything for you... except cost you money.

Answer 6

If it really bothers you that much talk to your neighbor and offer him a few hundred bucks to make it look pretty or take it down. Be nice about it and honest; tell him you dont want your property value to go down and you would be willing to dish out a hundred bucks or so so that he can make it look nice. Like offer to help him paint it one day or something. Its not fair, but sh*t happens, thats life.

Answer 7

Not if your neighbor is also ugly. You see then his shack would just be normal to him. sorry.

Answer 8

I'm sure you can try a civil suit, but depending on your location, I'm not sure as to the likelihood of a jury siding with you.

Another fine example of a frivolous law-suit

Answer 9

shack its up to code and its 10 feet away from ur property meaning its NOT IN YOUR PROPERTY!!!!! enough said...

Answer 10

no as long as there obaying the local codes an laws theres nothing you can do