Neighbor Removed My Fence

[lacey9875]

To say I'm furious is an understatement. My back yard is pie shaped, the neighbor in the back on the left removed my fence, which was on my property, sawing off the 4x4's a little above ground level and installed a new fence on their property. They didn't run it to the back of my fence going along my property, or the people next to them and left an opening of about 3 feet. At the front of the fence on their side, they installed a metal gate.

So Maggie can walk right out and into their neighbors yard. I'm assuming they did this because they have 3 kids who are constantly throwing/kicking balls over the fence and it would provide access to the yard to retrieve them. I. Am. Furious. Who does that? Who takes down someones else's property, discards it and doesn't say anything??? My ex-husband put a piece of plywood up their temporarily, but I want my fence back! What if they move or decide they don't want a fence?? I no longer have one. I wanted to go over there last night and rip the freaking thing down and beat them over the head with the entire fence. The only thing that kept me from doing it was I was sweating like a field hand and I was afraid there were ticks on me-WHICH THERE WAS!! I swear if I get some tick disease I'm sueing them.

I need rational suggestions before I leave work today.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

Sounds criminal to me. Call the cops, then talk to a lawyer.

 

[charlieinnj]

Your neighbor removed YOUR fence on YOUR yard? You need to go over and talk to them. If they're uncooperative, a police report needs to be filed.

 

[lacey9875]

MY fence in MY yard! I just called the county and they referred me to the Recorder of Deeds who said I should have a copy of a survey somewhere as it would help if I have that. And they agreed it's a civil issue. The woman said, "They stole your fence!"

I'm going over after work. Hopefully by then I won't be as mad as I am now.

 

[charlieinnj]

Deep breaths....You'll get it straightened out. I'd still file a police report. THEIR insurance company is gonna need it.

 

[NewfieMama]

Sounds criminal to me. Call the cops, then talk to a lawyer.

This, exactly. Anyone who's that passive aggressive to destroy your property isn't worth approaching in a friendly and rational, neighbor to neighbor way.

 

[blaue_augen]

Don't talk to them while you are angry. I think it will only hurt your case/the situation, if things get heated and words are exchanged. Take a witness with you also when you go to talk to them.

You do have every right to be angry. I can only guess they thought it was their fence??? Who does this?

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Deep breaths....You'll get it straightened out. I'd still file a police report. THEIR insurance company is gonna need it.

Yup, if it was your fence, your property than Charlie has this right. It is a civil matter but I'd file the report for your records. I'm pretty sure I'd also have an issue with the gate into my yard to, don't think that sounds right either.

 

[lacey9875]

This, exactly. Anyone who's that passive aggressive to destroy your property isn't worth approaching in a friendly and rational, neighbor to neighbor way.

The more I think about it, the more I think this might be the way to go. I'm so mad I don't know how rational I can be-what if Maggie got out? Or what if they came in the yard while she was out and they fell or she knocked them over or something?? And I really don't have the money to randomly replace a fence that was doing it's job.

I really don't need this, both of my parents are sick and my Mom isn't doing really well. I don't have the stinking time to handle all of this crap. And it was totally passive-agressive-they know I have a dog, they've heard her bark-and removes a fence and leaves someones yard unfenced?? Morons, that's who.

 

[Cascadians]

Go in person to a police station and personally file a written report. Take pictures. Get your deed survey (record will be with .gov). Hire a lawyer. Sue. Get an even better fence put up at criminal neighbor's expense. 4x4 treated wood beams and plastic lumber (comes in nice colors) for a maintenance-free fence.

Immediately start a log with dates and times. Do not speak to neighbors. If you stay silent they cannot use your words against you.

Felony criminal mischief, vandalism, trespass.

 

[Tricia2]

^ What Leska said!!! Don't confront them, let if come from the police and lawyers. WHO THE HELL DOES SOMETHING LIKE THAT!?!? Crazy people do and never invite crazy into your life if you can avoid it.

 

[pecanpiepatti]

In our town, a building permit is needed to erect a fence ... wonder if they got one....

 

[NinaA]

Was your fence put up with the posts on your side and the fence on the neighbor's side. That's the indication as to whose property the fence is on. The posts as a standard are on the owner's side and the fence is on the outside. Do all the things above, be sure to get pictures of the cut off posts - Why would they leave them sticking up? Talk to them first - as calmly as possible. And go from there. My only thought was if your fence happened to be put up with the posts on the outside and the fence facing you they may have thought it was actually their fence.

 

[newfx's2]

Go in person to a police station and personally file a written report. Take pictures. Get your deed survey (record will be with .gov). Hire a lawyer. Sue. Get an even better fence put up at criminal neighbor's expense. 4x4 treated wood beams and plastic lumber (comes in nice colors) for a maintenance-free fence.

Immediately start a log with dates and times. Do not speak to neighbors. If you stay silent they cannot use your words against you.

Felony criminal mischief, vandalism, trespass.

This! Don't talk to them! They had no right to just assume and remove the fence. They should have approached you to let you know. They didn't! I'd be livid! You could have lost your dog!

 

[shellyk]

Was your fence put up with the posts on your side and the fence on the neighbor's side. That's the indication as to whose property the fence is on. The posts as a standard are on the owner's side and the fence is on the outside. Do all the things above, be sure to get pictures of the cut off posts - Why would they leave them sticking up? Talk to them first - as calmly as possible. And go from there. My only thought was if your fence happened to be put up with the posts on the outside and the fence facing you they may have thought it was actually their fence.

After you cool down you really should talk to them first. Not because they may be right but because You have a big dog and your neighbors could make more trouble than they already have.

 

[wrknnwf]

Had a similar incident with the neighbors north of me. The fellow next to the neighbor just north of me, chainsawed the 60 year old, mature walnut trees that were in my adjoining neighbors yard, because they were shedding leaves in his new pool. HELLO! Think of that before you put a pool under a bunch of deciduous trees! And then ask the owner first!

Anyway, my neighbor called the city and complained and they agreed that this fellow was in the wrong. My neighbor also had a survey done to remark the yard boundaries.

Funny, the creepy neighbor even built his fancy iron fence over the property line. My neighbor isn't going to dispute that, though I think he should. All he asked the city for was the right to build a higher fence on his side, than is normally allowed, to block the noise and regain some privacy. After the new privacy fence went in, the jerk sprayed weed killer in my neighbors yard on his ivy vines.

The creep has made nothing but trouble since he moved here. And he's called everyone on this street a name. The sad thing is that the city required him to get permission from his adjoining neighbors to have 5 dogs instead of the usual 2 that are allowed, before he moved in, which they all did willingly. And now there are 6 barking dogs and no trees and a bunch of dead landscaping.

Some people think they own the world and have the right to do anything they please.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Is it possible they thought it was their fence? Property lines aren't always where people think they are. I would try to ask them and find your survey.

 

[lacey9875]

Is it possible they thought it was their fence? Property lines aren't always where people think they are. I would try to ask them and find your survey.

I went over last night. I was still mad, but I tried to give them the benefit of ignorance. The wife got a bit snippy with me until I told her that I knew it was my fence, because I paid for it.

They said the installer told them it was their fence, because they said they didn't know who it belonged to-after talking to the neighbors on each side of them. Apparently it never occured to them to ask ME. I also told them he left the posts sawed off in my yard, and the gap needs to be fixed asap.

They did ask if fixing the gap would solve the issue, and I told them my concern is I have no fence now, and if they removed theirs, I would have an unfenced yard. They were calling the installer to talk to him about it. No survey was done, they just went on his word. Morons.

I still think either they or the installer needs to install a fence on my side.

 

[Jeannie]

My brother is a fence contractor. He has been in business since 1973. He said he never goes on someone's word when removing a fence. He requires a survey. He also said the person who took down the fence need to remove the posts from the ground. they should have never cut them off even with the ground. He said he would have used a back hoe to pull the post/concrete out of the ground. He said you most likely have a law suit if they don't it to suit you. He also said to not 'settle' for something. Make sure the fence is repaired correctly and not just slapped together. He suggested you call another fence contractor to see what would be the correct way to fix the problem and not go on what the neighbor's installers say. They are going to offer you the cheapest fix, which may not be the right fix.

 

[lacey9875]

My brother is a fence contractor. He has been in business since 1973. He said he never goes on someone's word when removing a fence. He requires a survey. He also said the person who took down the fence need to remove the posts from the ground. they should have never cut them off even with the ground. He said he would have used a back hoe to pull the post/concrete out of the ground. He said you most likely have a law suit if they don't it to suit you. He also said to not 'settle' for something. Make sure the fence is repaired correctly and not just slapped together. He suggested you call another fence contractor to see what would be the correct way to fix the problem and not go on what the neighbor's installers say. They are going to offer you the cheapest fix, which may not be the right fix.

That makes total sense, Jeannie. Thanks, and thank your brother for the advice. I just feel like lately some of the neighbors feel they can take advantage of me because I'm single-it's happened with a few things. I'm off on friday, so I'm going to see if I can schedule someone to come out and give me an estimate for all of the work. Either the homeowners or the contractor is going to have to pay for it.