Neighbor Disputes
Everyone has neighbors, and where there are neighbors, there can be problems. Whether it's a barking dog, an untrimmed tree, a cluster of cars in the front yard, or a loud party, find answers about how to deal with challenging neighbors while maintaining your sanity and quality of life.
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Neighbor Disputes Over Water Damage
Flooding, surface runoff, and even leaking sprinklers can spark disputes between neighbors.
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Contrary to popular belief, most homeowners do not have a right to their view.
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What to Do When Your Neighbor Has a Drone
Not only can drones be loud, but they sometimes are equipped with cameras and telephoto lenses. What should you do if you see that your neighbor is flying a drone over your property? Does the law prohibit such activity?
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Buying a Home in the Country: Do Your Rural Neighbors Have the Right to Farm?
Before you build your dream house in the country, thoroughly investigate the surroundings.
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FAQs About Mediating Neighbor Disputes
Mediation is one of the most effective ways to deal with disagreements with neighbors. But how does one deal with some of the thorny details of reaching and living by a compromise?
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Does My Neighbor "Own" a Parking Spot on a Public Street?
Generally speaking, an individual citizen has no “ownership” rights to a parking space on a public street. These spaces are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
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What to Do When Your Neighbor's Property or Unit Has Pests
If critters are skittering, creeping, or crawling from your neighbor's property or unit to yours, here are some measures to take.
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Stealing Wi-Fi from Your Neighbor: A Victimless Crime?
Although laws on Wi-Fi "borrowing" are still being developed, the downside of getting caught would likely outweigh the upside of saving money.
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My Tree Fell on Neighbor's Garage: Who Pays?
Who is responsible, when your tree, or a branch from your tree, falls on your neighbor’s garage or fence or shed and causes serious damage?
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There’s nothing like the satisfaction of growing and eating your own apples or pears or peaches. Many fruit trees are ornamental as well, adding beauty to a back or side yard.
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Must I cut off the top of my trees because my neighbor wants the view preserved?
Check the local rules and regulations -- you may not be legally required to trim your trees.
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How Can I Stop Neighbor From Growing Marijuana in Backyard?
Although several states allow a person to grow marijuana for personal use, their operation should not create a nuisance for neighbors or violate the terms of any such laws.
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How Do I Stop Neighbors From Using Their House as an Airbnb or Other Type of Vacation Rental?
Tips for approaching your neighbor and, if that doesn't work, bringing in code enforcement authorities.
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How Do I Stop My Neighbor From Building a Second Story Addition?
Local ordinances and permitting requirements may give you grounds on which to block a neighbor's new construction.
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What Can I Do About My Neighbor’s Loud, Stinky Chicken Coop?
A range of options for dealing with smelly chickens on a nearby residential property.
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Adverse Possession: When Trespassers Become Property Owners
A trespasser can sometimes gain legal ownership of land just by occupying it. Here's how.
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Neighbor Built Fence Over the Property Line. Does He Now Own That Land?
The fact that your neighbors are not actively "using" the portion of your land behind their fence would not stop them from asserting an ownership claim based on adverse possession.
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Can I build a tall fence to put some distance between my crazy neighbor and me?
Making sure to comply with state laws and any homeowners' association rules before constructing a fence, particularly for the express purpose of limiting contact with a neighbor.
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What's a Spite Fence and What Can I Do About the One My Neighbors Built?
If your neighbor constructs a spite fence, making the neighborhood look terrible and calling attention to the property, can you file suit?
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My neighbor's fence is really ugly. Can I make him take it down?
Without a local statute regulating fences, or a homeowners' association regulating community aesthetics, it’s unlikely that a lawsuit will successfully force your neighbor to replace an ugly fence.
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My neighbor's new fence is on his property, but blocks access to my trash cans. Is this legal?
Most courts will not allow a neighbor to install a fence on what is essentially a shared boundary, particularly if it interferes with your use and enjoyment of your property -- but is a lawsuit the right approach?
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Can my neighbor replace our shared fence and require me to pay a share?
Shared payment for a fence is not required in every situation!
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Must my neighbor pay for the damage he's caused to my fence?
Explaining to a neighbor that he is actually responsible for fence maintenance.
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