If you’re having severe problems with a neighbor, you’re not alone. A survey by FindLaw found that 42% of participants said they’d had a dispute with their neighbors. Ideally, with good communications, empathy, and respect, neighbor disputes should be resolved with no hard feelings. But that’s not always the case.
Anthony Burton can be part of the solution to the problems you’re having with your neighbors. If they’re not interested in working this out with you, they may take the issue more seriously if an attorney is involved. If not, legal action may bring them back down to reality. If you want to learn about California law and how it may be applied in your case, give us a call at (949) 244-4207.
Your home should be your refuge. You should feel safe, secure, and comfortable there. Given the high price of California real estate, you can’t afford to (or may not want to) have a large property isolated from your neighbors. You understand there needs to be some flexibility and give and take when you live in a neighborhood. But sometimes lines are crossed and issues need to be addressed.
Common Conflicts Between Neighbors
FindLaw reports on the five most common neighbor conflicts:
- Noise (48%): It could be a constant problem or one that regularly flares up. It could be loud, late-night parties or something that happens during the day. Your neighbor may like loud, classic American sports cars or Harleys without mufflers. It could also be something more disturbing, like loud arguments or screaming matches between family members
- Pets and animals (29%): Your neighbor’s beloved dog might bark at every sound it hears. If he gets loose, your yard may be his favorite toilet. It could also be a dangerous dog that’s bitten you or someone else on your property. The problem can be the owner’s working on training the dog but hasn’t accomplished his goals. Your neighbor may not care what you think about his dog, and considers your issues with it to be your problem
- Children’s behavior (21%): What a child may do to affect you can worsen with age. A young child running onto your property to retrieve a ball isn’t nearly as bad as a teenager with a garage band. Difficulties with a teen whose parents are unwilling or unable to control their behavior can ratchet up to verbal confrontations and vandalism
- Visual nuisance and the property’s appearance (18%): Not everyone’s a perfectionist with their home’s appearance, but some things are unacceptable and may violate your town’s ordinances. Overflowing garbage cans can attract rodents. Lawns that are rarely mowed, peeling exterior paint, abandoned cars, or offensive signs can be real problems for you and your neighborhood
- Property boundaries (17%): Your neighbor may not have known or cared where his property’s boundaries were when his fence was installed or his driveway was expanded. You paid for and are paying taxes on the property your neighbor is treating as his own
How Were These Issues Resolved?
Nearly half (49%) report they did the right thing and discussed the issue with their neighbor. This should be the most practical and effective way to solve the problem. As long as both sides act like adults and respect each other’s rights, you should be able to work this out. Problems arise when the neighbor talks a good game but doesn’t actually do anything to address the issue. Instead of having an uncomfortable conversation, he ignores the problem and hopes you do too. You could also have a neighbor who doesn’t care if you have a problem with what’s going on.
More than a quarter (27%) called the police to report the problem, which can waste everyone’s time if no crime is involved. If what’s going on is a crime or if someone’s safety is at risk, calling the police is the right thing to do. If a dog is biting people not on the owner’s property, it may need to be put down. If your neighbor’s family arguments are so loud and heated you’re afraid violence will happen, get the police involved. Contacting the local code enforcement officer would be a good idea if there are abandoned vehicles or garbage piling up on a property.
Another 15% say they’ve complained to a homeowners’ association or other neighborhood group. Depending on where you live, if you’re in a condo or a townhome, an association may be able to take action or fine an owner not living up to the rules. A letter, note, or email was sent to a neighbor by 11% of respondents.
We’re Here to Help
The situation may reach the point where legal action may be needed. A quiet title action would spell out exactly who owns what property. An injunction to force a neighbor to do, or to stop doing, something may be an option. If the two of you work out a border dispute, a quitclaim deed may be appropriate.
If you own property and are having serious problems with a neighbor, we can answer your questions about your rights, how the legal process may work for you, and your best options. Call us at (949) 244-4207 or fill out our online contact form today so these issues can finally be addressed.
