One homeowner took to social media to complain about some negative experiences they had with a problem neighbor. In one of the latest violations, a neighbor destroyed a vegetable garden, shrubs and native plants.
On the Reddit subreddit r/neighborsfromhell, posters shared lists of violations committed against them by their neighbors. They explained that since she and her husband moved in, neighbors had caused problems by throwing trash in their yards and setting off fireworks in the middle of the night.
Recently, neighbors escalated matters by digging up the homeowner’s plants and “poisoning” other plants, leaving them “brittle and brown.”
The homeowner explained that they went to the police department, who said the situation may be a law enforcement issue. So they asked for advice from Reddit users who had been in similar situations.
Unfortunately, difficult neighbors can make it difficult to engage in earth-friendly activities, from gardening to installing natural lawns. While in some cases neighbors may simply complain, in other cases they may even cause property damage.
For example, one neighbor often parks his car on top of his garden simply because it is convenient. Others were asked by code compliance officials to remodel their yards.
If you are having problems with your neighbors, there are steps you can take to ease the tension. Better Homes and Gardens writes that first, consider establishing a relationship that promotes open communication and allows everyone to express their concerns or address challenges.
When casual conversation doesn’t work, you should document your concerns with date, time, and photographic or video evidence, as specified by State Farm. You can take this information to the property manager or authorities if necessary.
Commenters were shocked by the neighbors’ seemingly erratic and dangerous behavior. “I would get some soil samples and cover the soil so it doesn’t rain…to wash the contaminants out. Then I would hire an experienced attorney,” one wrote.
Someone else expressed sympathy for the poster, saying: “There’s nothing worse than having bad neighbors. It permeates almost every aspect of your life. OP, I’m sorry you have to deal with this.”
“If you don’t have a camera, you should consider buying them,” another said. “…get on with your life, stay legal, and record evidence that will stand up in court.”
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