Fence Rights - Can neighbor eradicate plants touching his fence on my side of the fence? (home, neighborhood)
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My neighbor let me know he's putting up one of those g-d awful white plastic fences to replace the rotted stockade tied to the even older chainlink that is on the border between our properties. I have plants along the fence line - including a lilac and quite a few lillies and iris plants. This neighbor wants me to move the lilac (~7' tall) because it will 'touch' his new fence AND he says the installers are going to cut back the 'stuff' I have growing near it. I have a informal 'cottage style' of gardening, with lots of greenery and flowers planted together.
I thought he only has rights to cut whatever extends over his property line. That's how I've been dealing with the wild raspberry coming over my property line on the other side of my property anyway. Does he have rights to cut anything that is touching or that may grow to touch his fence? That's how he's acting - but I don't believe he's within his rights to cut or kill stuff on my side of the fence. Am I right?
At this point, I'm going to take the day off to make sure he doesn't destroy the stuff on my side and am going to cut back whatever extends to his side prior to the fence installation day - BUT does he have a right to cut down or destroy anything touching his precious fence? Or do I have the rights to stop anyone from coming onto my property should they begin cutting more than I think is reasonable?
He or the installers can cut back anything hanging over but they can't cut what's on your side and they can't do anything that would harm the tree, plant, bush, etc.
I doubt the installers will be doing much pruning, they don't want to get in trouble with the neighbors and are probably well versed in this sort of thing. And I doubt they will come on your property if you are around.
I would take some "before" pictures, and I think being home is a good idea.
When we installed our fence we put it just inside our property line to avoid this type of thing (not that my neighbor on that side would have noticed or cared)
That's what I thought - but he seems to think otherwise. This guy is only out here for the summers and thinks he owns the whole neighborhood. He'll think nothing of parking his truck in any of our driveways all day while workers are at his house. He yells at most of the workers there and is sort of intimidating to little 5' tall me - and has the ability to push around workers to do things they ought not to. I have already taken pictures and plan on burning a vacation day to babysit my property. Sucks that's what I have to do, but I'm afraid to come home and have everything trampled and cut to the ground. If the workers won't do it, I think he would. I really hope I don't have to get cops involved - but it just might come to that.
I used to manage a construction/installation crew - they are used to being treated like crap by homeowners and neighbors. The morning of the installation - fill a cooler with ice, sodas, bottled water, Gatorade and a bag of cookies - walk over to the crew and introduce yourself and ask them nicely not to damage and to be careful working around your plants. Tell them to help themselves to any drinks that they want from the cooler. It will cost you 15 bucks, but it will give you peace of mind and I guarantee you that they will treat you with respect and make the effort for you. Kindness always went a long way when the guys were working outside in the hot sun.
PS - The way those pvc fences go up - I doubt any damage would be done - all the manipulation can be done from one side - I doubt they would ever even go in your yard.
I used to manage a construction/installation crew - they are used to being treated like crap by homeowners and neighbors. The morning of the installation - fill a cooler with ice, sodas, bottled water, Gatorade and a bag of cookies - walk over to the crew and introduce yourself and ask them nicely not to damage and to be careful working around your plants. Tell them to help themselves to any drinks that they want from the cooler. It will cost you 15 bucks, but it will give you peace of mind and I guarantee you that they will treat you with respect and make the effort for you. Kindness always went a long way when the guys were working outside in the hot sun.
PS - The way those pvc fences go up - I doubt any damage would be done - all the manipulation can be done from one side - I doubt they would ever even go in your yard.
I used to manage a construction/installation crew - they are used to being treated like crap by homeowners and neighbors. The morning of the installation - fill a cooler with ice, sodas, bottled water, Gatorade and a bag of cookies - walk over to the crew and introduce yourself and ask them nicely not to damage and to be careful working around your plants. Tell them to help themselves to any drinks that they want from the cooler. It will cost you 15 bucks, but it will give you peace of mind and I guarantee you that they will treat you with respect and make the effort for you. Kindness always went a long way when the guys were working outside in the hot sun.
PS - The way those pvc fences go up - I doubt any damage would be done - all the manipulation can be done from one side - I doubt they would ever even go in your yard.
I love this!
It also shows the OP's seemingly snobby neighbor who the better person is!
I used to manage a construction/installation crew - they are used to being treated like crap by homeowners and neighbors. The morning of the installation - fill a cooler with ice, sodas, bottled water, Gatorade and a bag of cookies - walk over to the crew and introduce yourself and ask them nicely not to damage and to be careful working around your plants. Tell them to help themselves to any drinks that they want from the cooler. It will cost you 15 bucks, but it will give you peace of mind and I guarantee you that they will treat you with respect and make the effort for you. Kindness always went a long way when the guys were working outside in the hot sun.
PS - The way those pvc fences go up - I doubt any damage would be done - all the manipulation can be done from one side - I doubt they would ever even go in your yard.
I used to manage a construction/installation crew - they are used to being treated like crap by homeowners and neighbors. The morning of the installation - fill a cooler with ice, sodas, bottled water, Gatorade and a bag of cookies - walk over to the crew and introduce yourself and ask them nicely not to damage and to be careful working around your plants. Tell them to help themselves to any drinks that they want from the cooler. It will cost you 15 bucks, but it will give you peace of mind and I guarantee you that they will treat you with respect and make the effort for you. Kindness always went a long way when the guys were working outside in the hot sun.
PS - The way those pvc fences go up - I doubt any damage would be done - all the manipulation can be done from one side - I doubt they would ever even go in your yard.
I wasn't sure how the fence went up, but was wondering if they could do it all from his side. Thanks for the info on that.
I'd be afraid to do the cooler thing as I think it would tick off this neighbor big time. That would certainly cause a confrontation, which it not in my best interest as I still have to live next to him until he leaves at the end of the summer. All I can do is ask the workers nicely not to damage anything in my yard despite what the neighbor is asking them to do. And I can chat and smile and look cute - and hope for the best.
Though I could try the cookies idea. I do love to bake! And I could just happen to make too many and offer them to everyone - including the neighbor.
Just lay out in your yard in a bikini all day...
Keep your sunglasses on and watch them.
They do anything stupid, start yellin' at 'em...
Heh heh!
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