whymsy2007
New Member
My family has lived in the same home for over thirty years. About four years ago, we got a new neighbor. Initially there weren't any real problems until we found out later that this individual would be running a business from their home. Almost immediately after the business was up and running, their clients started parking in front of our home. It later came to our attention they made an agreement with the town to have clients parking in FRONT of their home/driveway. Now I realize the gutter/curb is the town's property, but I can only feel that since this person made an agreement, they should be holding up to that agreement. However, the town does little to enforce anything.
This was just the tip of the iceberg. The individual started showing very strong signs they had little or no regard for us as their neighbors. The area we live in is not a business district. There are no other businesses on the street. In fact, we are about three blocks from the business district area of the town. Our problem is not so much with the parking, although it is quite irritating when a client parks in front of our home when there is sufficient parking in front of the neighbor's home or their driveway.
This brings up my next question. Shortly after the new person moved in, we noticed it was a habit for them to stare over at our property, and at what was going on in our yard. We had been talking for a long time about a privacy fence, even before this individual moved in to eliminate that problem. We told the individual of our plan to have the fence built. We were not rude or threatening. We simply stated we were going to try to have one built. Initially they were in total agreement, even offering to help pay half the cost. However, soon after we notified them of this we noticed a disturbing change in behavior.
There are two fences separating the two properties. One fence is our's, the other was built by the previous owner (now the new neighbor's fence). We decided to build a privacy fence along the neighbor's fence. I guess this infuriated the new neighbor who then started throwing what I call an "adult hissy fit". The individual did everything in their power to stop the building of the fence. The day before the fence was built, we called the new neighbor who proceeded to threaten us and tell us to tear down our fence because they claimed we were on their property. Now NOT once did the new neighbor come to us to tell us of their belief we were on their property. After hearing this, we decided to wait one week to see if they would proceed with a property line survey. Never happened. We decided to proceed. What really disillusioned me as well was the fact we were building along THEIR fence, a property line established by the previous owner who built the fence! I was also angered to hear that the new neighbor even went as far as to send a town employee on our property to find a "pin". We were never told of this occurance. We only learned after the fence builder contacted the new neighbor. The two properties/homes are about a century old, and we were told by a lawyer that pins can potentially be moved over time. We were also told that because the properties are quite old, good records were not kept.
This happened nearly four years ago. Since that time the new neighbor has not made any move in terms of having a survey done. On more than one occassion I have heard them tell other members of the community that we are on their property, and this has started a ridiculous "smear campaign". It is not uncommon for the new individual to stoop to name-calling and involving clients in petty behavior. The new neighbor will bring clients outside and proceed to heckle us, our property, etc. We did contact the authorities who showed extreme partiality for the new neighbor, telling us essentially we had to put up with it. I just want to know if we have any recourse as to the harassment this individual/their clients have started. We do not bother this individual at all. We have ignored it, but this person seems very obsessed with continuing on this path. I am appauled at their behavior, and even going so far as to involve other members of the community/clients.
I was told in the past that filming the behavior is the only recourse we'd have if this went to court. I feel this goes way beyond just a civil matter as this person is also running a business. I do have some footage, but to obtain audio I'd have to go outside to get it. I think that would just be giving them the attention they've wanted all along. We have ignored it for over four years and it's not getting any better. I know as soon as the weather warms up, the behavior will get worse. Is there anything we have not been made aware of in term of laws? They are running a small business. Are there codes of conduct with small businesses or is that strictly determined by the town? We are certain the town will do nothing. I feel this individual should be held accountable for this type of brazen behavior.
This was just the tip of the iceberg. The individual started showing very strong signs they had little or no regard for us as their neighbors. The area we live in is not a business district. There are no other businesses on the street. In fact, we are about three blocks from the business district area of the town. Our problem is not so much with the parking, although it is quite irritating when a client parks in front of our home when there is sufficient parking in front of the neighbor's home or their driveway.
This brings up my next question. Shortly after the new person moved in, we noticed it was a habit for them to stare over at our property, and at what was going on in our yard. We had been talking for a long time about a privacy fence, even before this individual moved in to eliminate that problem. We told the individual of our plan to have the fence built. We were not rude or threatening. We simply stated we were going to try to have one built. Initially they were in total agreement, even offering to help pay half the cost. However, soon after we notified them of this we noticed a disturbing change in behavior.
There are two fences separating the two properties. One fence is our's, the other was built by the previous owner (now the new neighbor's fence). We decided to build a privacy fence along the neighbor's fence. I guess this infuriated the new neighbor who then started throwing what I call an "adult hissy fit". The individual did everything in their power to stop the building of the fence. The day before the fence was built, we called the new neighbor who proceeded to threaten us and tell us to tear down our fence because they claimed we were on their property. Now NOT once did the new neighbor come to us to tell us of their belief we were on their property. After hearing this, we decided to wait one week to see if they would proceed with a property line survey. Never happened. We decided to proceed. What really disillusioned me as well was the fact we were building along THEIR fence, a property line established by the previous owner who built the fence! I was also angered to hear that the new neighbor even went as far as to send a town employee on our property to find a "pin". We were never told of this occurance. We only learned after the fence builder contacted the new neighbor. The two properties/homes are about a century old, and we were told by a lawyer that pins can potentially be moved over time. We were also told that because the properties are quite old, good records were not kept.
This happened nearly four years ago. Since that time the new neighbor has not made any move in terms of having a survey done. On more than one occassion I have heard them tell other members of the community that we are on their property, and this has started a ridiculous "smear campaign". It is not uncommon for the new individual to stoop to name-calling and involving clients in petty behavior. The new neighbor will bring clients outside and proceed to heckle us, our property, etc. We did contact the authorities who showed extreme partiality for the new neighbor, telling us essentially we had to put up with it. I just want to know if we have any recourse as to the harassment this individual/their clients have started. We do not bother this individual at all. We have ignored it, but this person seems very obsessed with continuing on this path. I am appauled at their behavior, and even going so far as to involve other members of the community/clients.
I was told in the past that filming the behavior is the only recourse we'd have if this went to court. I feel this goes way beyond just a civil matter as this person is also running a business. I do have some footage, but to obtain audio I'd have to go outside to get it. I think that would just be giving them the attention they've wanted all along. We have ignored it for over four years and it's not getting any better. I know as soon as the weather warms up, the behavior will get worse. Is there anything we have not been made aware of in term of laws? They are running a small business. Are there codes of conduct with small businesses or is that strictly determined by the town? We are certain the town will do nothing. I feel this individual should be held accountable for this type of brazen behavior.
