Neighbor issue -- what would you do? (Dallas: renter, bad credit)

[pinkmint]

I don't know where to put this. Suggest where to move it if needed, but I am posting here since I live in the Dallas area, a south-of-Dallas suburb, Dallas county.

Basically our neighbor has left a massive pile of construction debris covering 30 feet of the sidewalk in front of our house, and it covers a portion of our front lawn. It's been there for over a month and there is some rotting animal carcasses going on in there from the smell of things. As you know we've had heat that is no less than a high of 90 degrees lately during the day and the smell is traumatic. There are also rusty nails and jagged pieces of rotting wood poking out several feet in every direction. I have 3 children ages 6 and under. They cannot be out in the front of our house at all because of this situation.

I have contacted everyone I know to contact, in particular the city code enforcement officer. Nothing has actually been done to remedy this situation. Here is what I see as a big part of the problem: we are renters in a low-income neighborhood. Maybe our neighbor couldn't afford a dumpster service when he tore down the shed/ backhouse on his property. ( I assume he owns the home. We rent, as do most of the residents on this street. ) But at this point I am angry from having to sit here for a month being able to smell this death pile from inside my house so it's hard for me to think sympathetic thoughts toward my neighbor.

We told our landlord, he seems to think he has no responsibility in the matter. Is he right? We talked to the city, they are going to "fine him" until he does something about it, which, if you are poor and have bad credit anyway (a distinct possibility if he lives in this neighborhood), who cares if you get fines. I called the illegal dumping hotline for Dallas county. Nothing. I talked to the police, they said they can't charge him with anything. Day after day nothing happens. What would you do, considering you have little to no money or resources and apparently no rights as a renter in a poorer community?

[octo]

You can rent a truck, pick up the debris and drop it off at the landfill.
That will cost less than $50.

[pinkmint]

Originally Posted by octo

You can rent a truck, pick up the debris and drop it off at the landfill.
That will cost less than $50.

We don't have $50 to spare, and the amount of stuff is massive. It would take all day and many trips. And why would we do it for him?

[metalmancpa]

Have you talked to your neighbor? (nicely) Have you mentioned your situation with your children and tried to at least have the pile move in front of their home? Have you taken pictures?

Do you have any friends/relatives? Get some gloves and start moving the pile yourself, obviously depending on the situation with your neighbor (sociopath?).

It seems you've already spoken with authorities.

[MurphyPl1]

You aren't doing it for him, you're doing it for your family.

[octo]

Originally Posted by pinkmint

We don't have $50 to spare, and the amount of stuff is massive. It would take all day and many trips. And why would we do it for him?

I think that's the easiest and cheapest way to get rid of this problem that's why I suggested it.

You tried all the other free options. What else is there to do for less than $50?

The city won't pick up construction debris. Because otherwise no one would pay for dumpsters.

[loves2read]

Put it on HIS lot

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by loves2read

Put it on HIS lot

This.

And when you're done, call Code Enforcement again.

[WorldKlas]

Call your landlord and tell him you cannot bear living in the house as long as this crappile is in front of the house and you would like to discuss moving out. That shoud get the LL invoived!

[Emc62]

I wouldn't recommend putting it on his lot, we already know that he is irresponsible and inconsiderate, he very well may be angry and violent as well. I would ask landlord to come and two of you can go talk to him in a non confrontational way.

May be three of you can split the cost of truck and work together to clean it up. This is not a fair solution but it is a peaceful approach to solve this problem.