Difficult neighbor (renters, insurance, house)

[davidt1]

My neighbor is a renter. At 4:00AM this morning she was banging on my door, demanding that I cut down the tree in my backyard because the birds were singing and the sound kept her from sleeping. The tree is within my yard. Does she have the right to make me cut down the tree?

I feel she harassed me. How do I stop her from banging on my door in the middle of the night?

[Roaddog]

She must be a nut case, no she can't make you cut down your tree, if she continues to come over call the police. as long as your tree is not growning into her yard she can do nothing, i doubt the wild birds are whats keeping her awake, it's probably the crank or she's just a complainer who likes the attention.

[Paula Lynn]

Contact the owner or like Roaddog suggested, call the police. It's not a renters responsibility to contact a next door OWNER. If she has a problem she should contact her owner, and owner should contact you. She does sound a bit in left field ........ So sorry for you

[kettlepot]

You should start now building a paper trail of complaints about her actions as clearly you think this might be the start of trip to wackoville. If you don't get the documentation down, then you'll be starting from ground zero every time she does something nutty.

[canibeyou]

Some people are just too unbelieveable. *shaking my head*

[Ultrarunner]

California Law is rather specific regarding trees... I've learned the following from my experiences...

Any adjacent property owner is allowed, without notice, to trim any potion of a tree encroaching, either above ground branches or below ground roots.

There is one caveat though. A neighbors trimming CANNOT kill the tree. In sensitive cases it is recommended that the concerned neighbor hire a licensed tree service, preferably an arborist, to limit potential liability, should the tree die.

Hazardous Tree... If the tree owner has been properly put on written notice that his tree is deemed hazardous by an arborist or city public works, then that tree owner cannot escape liability for any future tree caused damages. Often, the homeowner's insurance company will pay for hazardous tree removal to avoid the possibility of greater expense later.

Hey, on the flip side, you could always show your compassion for your neighbor and buy her a pair of inexpensive ear-plugs...

Also, some cities require a permit and review by city staff prior to tree removal...

[cynwldkat]

Birds??? What about those sirens going and guns being shot all hours of the night?? Or helicopters flying at tree level day and night? Birds??? Sounds like you have a real winner for a neighbor!! Good luck!

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by davidt1

My neighbor is a renter. At 4:00AM this morning she was banging on my door, demanding that I cut down the tree in my backyard because the birds were singing and the sound kept her from sleeping. The tree is within my yard. Does she have the right to make me cut down the tree?

I feel she harassed me. How do I stop her from banging on my door in the middle of the night?

Your neighbor sounds like a good one to keep as far away from as possible. Birds? Maybe with the birds gone she'd enjoy all of the insects instead.

Next time call the cops!

[Starrynight227]

I would also say contact the owner or the property manager and let them know that the tenent has caused problems. They probably would be grateful to know if it's possible, and it might just get her out.

[da jammer]

Somebody comes bangin' on my door at 4am and my house isn't on fire they best have all of their affairs in order and will up to date. What I would do is send her and the landlord a certified letter warning them that you will not tolerate any kind of trespassing and you will prosecute any future incidents. BTW I have bird feeders all over my backyard as they love to eat all kinds of pesky bugs.