Neighbor Relations

MossRoad · Aug 22, 2015

Put up a fence on the line ASAP. It sounds like he wants a buffer, but he wants all of his property clear; every last foot of it. Don't have any of it. If he plants trees right on the line, you most likely won't be able to put a fence on the line, and he'll start using the area behind the tress as they get taller. Again, fence it now, even if its just a cheap, T-Post and two strand fence.

kf4uda · Aug 22, 2015

I would suggest meeting with him and together decide what type of fence to construct on the property line with the materials and labor being split equally between both.

As others have said, let him have a buffer and trees on his side of the fence.

Mace Canute · Aug 22, 2015

My take on the situation is he doesn't respect you or he wouldn't have DELIBERATELY done all that you say he's done. Con men don't respect other people even though they are nice as can be.

You say "He said he uses our land (because the grass is high) so his horses can "know" where not to go as he's running them in a large circle on his property." That makes no sense whatsoever and falls into the "if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you" category. Horses will go where they want to go if nothing constrains them.

You say "He mentioned to me that any fence (or building) I put up had to have a 30' set back." You've found out from the local codes guy just how wrong he was. This should tell you he's either extremely stupid (highly unlikely) or is trying to BS you. With that in mind do you think you can trust anything he tells you? It would have been interesting to have seen his response if you had told him that since he's running horses he is responsible for putting up fences to keep them off your property and to be sure to put his fence up with a 30' setback off your property. You might want to check into whether or not there's a "shared cost of fence" clause in the code book just in case he tries to BS you on that too. If there is, don't take his word on costs, demand to see actual receipts and verify every item. Protect yourself.

You say "What I don't understand is why someone would plant a permanent thing on someone else's property? I understand that he wants a buffer and I'm sure would like to maximize his acreage, but at the expense of mine? Am I reading too much into this? " Seriously? He obviously planted the trees on your property so he would have full use of all of his property while getting the benefit of having trees that he isn't responsible for. You also loose use of the property the trees are on. He knows that if you didn't say anything he was golden and he took a chance you wouldn't on the old adage of better to ask forgiveness than permission. I suspect he has done similar actions in the past with others and overall it's been to his benefit.

You say "By the way, he has said he's going to move the trees back to the property line...of course that makes me wonder how far from the property line a tree should be planted, etc.?" If there isn't a setback per code I'd say it's obvious how far from the fence line he should plant the trees...either the exact same distance from the fence line that he planted them on your property or the 30' setback he tried to convince you of regarding buildings and fence line. If there isn't a code setback for trees and since he thought it was the right distance from the fence line when he planted them on your property then it's still the right distance from the fence line when planting his trees on his property. Insist on this and what ever you do make him understand that wherever he plants them they are not to be so close to the fence line that they interfere with the fence in any way in the future when they are full grown.

He's the kind of person who if you give him an inch he will take a mile and it sound's like he's trying to take that mile before you give an inch. Take a firm line with him and never give up one single right you have regardless of how trivial you think it might be. Don't forget...his actions clearly prove he doesn't respect you. You might be a good neighbour but he isn't and will never be. Protect yourself.

murphy1244 · Aug 22, 2015

From my take on this is this guy is going to be trouble with a capitol T. Put him in his place now or your always going to be on the receiving end. I like what Mace says about the Horse fence, do it..

roadhunter · Aug 22, 2015

Fence immediately. This is the kind of problem to take care of sooner than later.

square1 · Aug 22, 2015

I'm not going into detail, but it cost thousands of dollars to get a neighbor off my property and I still have to readjust hie attempts to move into my property after a court decision against him. Put up the fence now and defend your property line with obvious maintenance. If you have to tell the neighbor something a second time put it IN WRITING and do so as often as necessary.

Garandman · Aug 22, 2015

I'm always amazed that others want, even expect, to benefit from the use of your property.

SARG · Aug 22, 2015

Rule number six>>> Three out of ten humans suck.
Your neighbor sounds like he is in that thirty per cent.
I would definitely mark off your property line so it is obviously marked and not allow any encroachment. If you planned on a fence now is the time.

Got2BTru · Aug 22, 2015

I appreciate the feedback everyone. I get back next weekend and I'll look into SOME type of fencing. In speaking with our town code officer, he said a farm fence housing animals can be ON the property line, but a farm fence NOT housing animals has to be 2' off of the property line. So if I put a cow/sheep out there for an hour a year, I'm good, right? :laughing:

I can tell he's trying to take advantage...and I'm not stupid, that's why I talked with the code officer (though my understanding of setbacks, etc. was already spot on). What I DIDN'T (or forgot to) mention is that he initially told me that he felt his property line went back an additional 20-30 feet and that the surveyor made a mistake. Even the code officer said that he would need to take that up with his surveyor and if there had been a discrepancy, I would have been notified.

Anyhow...I think I'll look into 5" posts every 8-10 feet and then decide on the wire/strands placement. Didn't want to spend the $$$ on this now, but looks like I'll have to. 720 feet of fencing will not be cheap!