Laying telephone cable where there is no easement (houses, contractor)

[Mac Atac]

I have utility easements on two sides of my house in Harris County. To provide service to my neighbor’s house, the telephone company (or subcontractor) chose not to use the easements that have been assigned to them. Instead they lay their cable to my neighbor’s house along the two sides where no utility easements have been assigned because it was easier. If they had used the easements they would have had to tunnel under a driveway. The total distance to the neighbor’s house is the same either way. They did not ask for my permission to come onto my property so I cut the cable. When they came out to investigate they were angry because I hadn’t contacted them to ask them to remove the cable from my property. I asked why they didn't have the courtesy to contact me to ask if they could use my property instead of the easements. They have sent me a bill for $800 damages. Do I have a case not to pay it or do I need to sue a subcontractor? I wonder if it is worth the hassle.

Because my property isn’t fenced I often have maintenance workers crossing my property to reach the telephone service box. Do I have the right to make them walk the easement to get to the service box. How do I keep them off without fencing?

[jtothemak]

Take it to small claims court, but yes the right thing would have been to call them. If not anything for kindness of your neighbor and interrupting their service. People get way to bent out of shape over having utilities in their yards. I used to work in the business and have even had people try to pull guns on me and how they did not want the cable box in their yard. People also do not realize that planting anything in the easement is subject to removal if repairs are needed. Other plant tons of stuff around the utility box and get mad when their flowers get step on, the easiest way is to leave a path so any worker can get to where they need.

[Mac Atac]

Thanks for your reply. I have absolutely no problem giving access to any utility company and keeping it clear for them. That is what easements are for but it irked me so bad that they trespassed again. My side yard is a straight open shot with no easement but it does adjoin the backyards of 4 houses from the next street over. There is an easement in their back yard. The installer was being lazy. Instead of going under 3 different fences, he could just go along the side of my house.

[testmo]

sucks to be your neighbor!

[HoustonRonnie]

Tell them to pound sand.