My neighbor has someone living in his front yard - HELP! (HOA, lawyer) - City-Data Forum

WindblownHair · 05-13-2010, 11:16 PM

My next door neighbor has someone living in his front yard. This man is literally camping out in a tent. This man has been staying there the last 3 nights.

What can I legally do to get rid of him? Its really creepy (not to mention disgusting). Please don't suggest talking to my neighbor, he is former drug user with anger issues. I literally believe talking to him would be dangerous. Is there a way I can report this without giving my identity?

Majin · 05-13-2010, 11:58 PM

Twinkle Toes · 05-14-2010, 12:06 AM

So why don't you just call the cops already? The thing is, it's YOUR NEIGHBOR'S yard! If HE wants the guy there, you're probably going to be out of luck trying to enforce your wishes on the use of his property. But you never know, maybe the cops will tell the guy to camp out somewhere else.

WindblownHair · 05-14-2010, 12:08 AM

I was hoping perhaps someone was familiar with municipal code and would know if it qualified. I tried looking up our town, but it appeared the closest thing might be a nuisance law. I'll call the police tomorrow.

Twinkle Toes · 05-14-2010, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WindblownHair

I was hoping perhaps someone was familiar with municipal code and would know if it qualified. I tried looking up our town, but it appeared the closest thing might be a nuisance law. I'll call the police tomorrow.

Municipal codes are city codes. How are we supposed to know which city you live in? Every city has its own codes. How are we supposed to know what the codes in your city are? If you live in an HOA, you might even want to check your bylaws to see if camping out in a tent in someone's front yard is ok with the HOA. If you aren't comfy with the tent city going on next door, call the cops.

ElectroPlumber · 05-14-2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WindblownHair

I was hoping perhaps someone was familiar with municipal code and would know if it qualified. I tried looking up our town, but it appeared the closest thing might be a nuisance law. I'll call the police tomorrow.

If there are deed restrictions in effect, it will probably have specific language that prevents exactly this kind of behavior. Assuming the deed restrictions are in place, there might be several ways to enforce them without having to file a lawsuit yourself.

If you have an HOA, contact them and try to get them to enforce the DR. In some places (I don't know about where you live) the violation of a valid deed restriction is also a municipal ordinance offense. So, first call the HOA (if one exists) then call the city's enforcement office, then the cops, then if none of that does any good, call a lawyer and spend a little money for his/her time to see what can be done.

The reason I put the cops next to last on the list is that in my experience you will get a line from them like "this is a civil matter--we can't do anything." And it's better to let someone else handle it before the cops get involved and your druggie neighbor finds out you called them.

bigalme8181 · 05-14-2010, 01:41 AM

i understand how it might seem creepy to someone that is so very fortunate to not of lost everything and end up in that situation you can say oh that will never happen to me but in the times we live in were all a pay check away from being homeless do you think he enjoys living in a tent in some dudes yard i did find myself in a simaler situation and if the city would allow a place that homeless could be away from neighborhoods but at least be able to sleep there with out the police running you off its like dude have you ever gone hungry trust me you might not think it but you probably know some one homeless or it could be you some day if you could afford to buy the guy a hamburger wave to him he is a human being it would be a rightest thing to do and it would give the guy a little self respect back anyway just a little different angle to look at or do what ever but think about it please.....

Twinkle Toes · 05-14-2010, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigalme8181

i understand how it might seem creepy to someone that is so very fortunate to not of lost everything and end up in that situation you can say oh that will never happen to me but in the times we live in were all a pay check away from being homeless do you think he enjoys living in a tent in some dudes yard i did find myself in a simaler situation and if the city would allow a place that homeless could be away from neighborhoods but at least be able to sleep there with out the police running you off its like dude have you ever gone hungry trust me you might not think it but you probably know some one homeless or it could be you some day if you could afford to buy the guy a hamburger wave to him he is a human being it would be a rightest thing to do and it would give the guy a little self respect back anyway just a little different angle to look at or do what ever but think about it please.....

You win the prize for THE longest sentence ever!

ferretkona · 05-14-2010, 07:07 AM

Most cities prohibit living in campers or motorhomes in the front yard or driveway. You might have a health code violation here if he is using a pickle jar. I would contact your councilman.

Houston3 · 05-14-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferretkona

Most cities prohibit living in campers or motorhomes in the front yard or driveway. You might have a health code violation here if he is using a pickle jar. I would contact your councilman.

Pickles are illegal in California now?

And ask him to move to the backyard.

And I wish I could beat this just for
Twinkle Toes....
"You win the prize for THE longest sentence ever!"