Adverse Possession through cutting the grass?

[Joseph v]

Jurisdiction

Louisiana

I recently acquired a vacant lot through the adjudication process. The next door neighbor approached me today while I was measuring it and stated that if I sold it he was entitled to "a cut" because he had been mowing the lot for 12 years.
He didn't plant a garden, put up a fence, built a shed or anything, all he did was cut the grass.
Does he have a claim?

The property is in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.

 

[Zigner]

Nah, he's got no case because he hasn't been in "possession" of the land. Simply mowing the lawn doesn't meet the requirements:

2020 Louisiana Laws :: Civil Code :: Art. 3475. Requisites
and
2020 Louisiana Laws :: Civil Code :: Art. 3476. Attributes of possession

 

[Joseph v]

Nah, he's got no case because he hasn't been in "possession" of the land. Simply mowing the lawn doesn't meet the requirements:

2020 Louisiana Laws :: Civil Code :: Art. 3475. Requisites
and
2020 Louisiana Laws :: Civil Code :: Art. 3476. Attributes of possession

that's what I was thinking, so do I post a keep out sign or let him keep cutting?

 

[Zigner]

that's what I was thinking, so do I post a keep out sign or let him keep cutting?

A pissed off neighbor? I wouldn't let him set another foot on the property.

 

[OldSurveyor]

You could also send him a certified letter with return receipt thanking him for mowing your property, and that he can continue to do so with your permission, until you revoke it.

That makes his yet unrealized claim permissive, and you do not need to be present at any time to deal with his trespass.

 

[adjusterjack]

My crystal ball is back from the shop after having been freshly polished. I predict that the neighbor will no longer mow the grass now that he knows that there is no future money for him.

I also predict that, when the grass becomes unsightly, the neighbor will be filing complaints with the local blight enforcers and Joseph may find himself being fined if he doesn't arrange for his own mowing going forward.

 

[Zigner]

@adjusterjack has one of the crystal balls. I have the other, much darker crystal ball. My crystal ball predicts that neighbor is going to trip and fall on your property.

 

[retic]

Good fences make good neighbors.

 

[adjusterjack]

Good fences make good neighbors.

Neighbor already has a fence. Looks like about 3' chain link.

 

[welkin]

I recently acquired a vacant lot through the adjudication process. The next door neighbor approached me today while I was measuring it and stated that if I sold it he was entitled to "a cut" because he had been mowing the lot for 12 years.
He didn't plant a garden, put up a fence, built a shed or anything, all he did was cut the grass.
Does he have a claim?

The property is in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.

I think your neighbor was joking with you. I personally wouldn't do anything now to see if he continues to cut the grass.