How to Resolve Dispute with Unreasonable Neighbour?

Lstaypositivebound on 15/05/2018 - 19:22
Last edited 16/05/2018 - 10:02 by 1 other user

I recently moved to a new state and I don't know anything on how I should go about this (laws). This is about a possible fire hazard. Are they any laws where an authority can like make them oblige to my request since it's effecting my property?

Next door neighbour's trees (not a traditional tree, it's like scrubs but extremely over grown) are not maintained at all and run the length of the fence (80%). It's so overgrown there's a giant shadow that covers or side of house including my bedroom and at least 1/4 if not 1/3 of my back yard. My clothes line is located there and my clothes won't dry, (yes I know it's almost winter) even if left out for 2.5 days. One side of my property is perpetually in shadow. I've politely requested twice they trim it so it's no so overgrown (fire hazard). The second and last time the guy laughed at me and said "get off my property, f'ing cripple". Prefer not to ask them again.

I don't know anyone and don't really have any friends (just moved). I live alone and am paraplegic so I have limited reach (tried cutting what I could with garden shears) and have no money (barely $50 in my bank account, seriously).

Home & Garden

Comments

  • kahn on 15/05/2018 - 19:30
    +1

    Cheap pyromaniac bikies.

  • oscargamer on 15/05/2018 - 19:36
    +8

    Your neighbour is a cxxx.

    What an ass

    No help to you, but wow…..how about some neighbourliness..

    • staypositivebound on 16/05/2018 - 20:11

      He's quite rude. I'm at lost on what to do.

  • jug123 on 15/05/2018 - 19:38
    +3

    if theyre not growing over the fence, not a lot you can do & unfortunately theyre not a fire hazard if youre in the metro area.

    • staypositivebound on 16/05/2018 - 20:13

      They're starting to grow over the fence. The shrub/hedge is quite large, I'm not sure how to describe it.

  • vinni9284 on 15/05/2018 - 19:39
    +1

    Contact the local council.
    Good luck

    • staypositivebound on 16/05/2018 - 20:14

      Thanks. I called them earlier and they said they couldn't help me - they said the neighbour needs to being doing something illegal before they (council) step in.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/05/2018 - 19:43
    +8

    You have a right to prune back what is growing over your property.

    Beyond that, do you have access to any sort of advocacy services that could help you deal with this issue? There may be disability advocacy services around your area.

    • staypositivebound on 16/05/2018 - 20:48

      I don't think there's any services around. But I'll do aome research, thanks for the advice.

  • whooah1979 on 15/05/2018 - 19:43
    +6

    barely $50 in my bank account

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/yates-3l-zero-weedkiller_p296004…

    Or bag of 20kg sodium chloride, hot water and pressure spray bottle.

    • subywagon on 15/05/2018 - 19:50
      +10

      ^ This. Poison the shit out of them… and also you might as well do the shrubs while you're at it.

    • Ryanek on 16/05/2018 - 08:14
      +2

      Then we'll be reading a post about how some unreasonable neighbor poisoned his tree.

    • staypositivebound on 16/05/2018 - 20:17

      That doesn't sound like a bad idea…ha. But isn't that illegal?

  • kahn on 15/05/2018 - 19:56

    I don't know anyone and don't really have any friends

    Before damaging the shrubs, why not solve your loneliness issue by making one of these?

    it's like scrubs

    I miss that show too, newbie.

  • GourmetFoodie on 15/05/2018 - 20:03
    +1

    What I've learned is you can't negotiate with shit neighbors.

    Best options are to get indoor clothes drying rack (cheap) or a second hand clothes dryer. If you ask around you might even find someone willing to donate a dryer to you.

    • staypositivebound on 16/05/2018 - 20:20

      Yeah I'm looking around to get an in-door clothes rack, thanks for the suggestion. But I can't imagine doing that forever, especially in summer when it's nice outside.

  • dcep on 15/05/2018 - 20:48

    get some used engine oil from garage and pour it all over

  • Speckled Jim on 15/05/2018 - 20:50
    +1

    Keep watch for cheap pole shears on Gumtree. You may be able to trim some on your side of the fence from a seated position with those.
    Depending how high it is.

    Otherwise it's a handyman/Jim's mowing type thing, but $$$.

  • Randxyz123 on 15/05/2018 - 21:06

    Sorry to hear of your situation.

    Honestly I’d call the police after he spoke to you like that. Have it on record and then find a new place. He sounds like a arse…

    Why do you think it’s a fire hazard?

    Maybe someone on here lives near you can help. Trim your side down. I would be careful about getting anyone else like authorities involved in case he retaliates by attacking your house..

    • [Deactivated] on 15/05/2018 - 22:55
      +9

      What sort of police report would OP make? Strong language and hurt feelings?

      • JimmyF on 16/05/2018 - 09:43

        Only a someone from the snowflake generation would claim lodging a police report for that!!

  • smuggler on 15/05/2018 - 21:12
    +1

    I live alone and am paraplegic so I have limited reach (tried cutting what I could with garden shears) and have no money (barely $50 in my bank account, seriously).

    ;(

    • [Deactivated] on 15/05/2018 - 21:40
      +4

      Maybe he can contact his NDIS case manager and get his house cleaner to prune them back

  • SupeNintendoChalmers on 15/05/2018 - 21:39
    -2

    Like others said, weed killer

    • JimmyF on 15/05/2018 - 23:55
      +3

      and if you do this, you're just a sh!t person like the OPs Neighbour is.

  • Ozbargainite on 15/05/2018 - 23:24

    Did you move to Tasmania?

  • JimmyF on 15/05/2018 - 23:57
    +1

    OP, the Neighbour seems a turd not going to disagree with you on that, but if the trees/shrubs etc are not hanging OVER your fence, then there isn't really much you can do. Report the issue to the council and see what they say I guess if it really is a fire issue.

    One does wonder, why you moved into this place if the shade is such an issue. Surely you could see the trees/shrubs!?

    • SupeNintendoChalmers on 16/05/2018 - 08:32
      -3

      OP: I live alone and am paraplegic so I have limited reach (tried cutting what I could with garden shears) and have no money (barely $50 in my bank account, seriously).

      I'm guessing OP doesn't have many options…….

      • JimmyF on 16/05/2018 - 09:40
        +2

        The OP has/had many options.

        They only just recently moved into this place, so again HAD a choice, if the shade issue and 'fire hazard' is such an issue, why did the OP move here?

        Money in peoples bank accounts varies from day to day, week to week. I get paid monthly, so one day I'm poor, the next I'm rolling in it, but then don't get paid again for another month.

        Again the OP doesn't need to spend money if these tree/shrubs are NOT overhanging their fence line. If they are, the OP could ask nicely to the landlord to see if they will get them trimmed up. Again, it'll only be back to the fence line.

        and of course, photos would help to understand the issue better.

        • staypositivebound on 16/05/2018 - 20:24

          It actually is growing over the fence now. I could see the shrubs/hedge when o went to inspect the house. It wasn't as bad as it is now, when I bought the house. The first time I asked them to trim the shrubs/hedge was only three or four days after I moved in and explained that I couldn't trim it myself.

        • JimmyF on 16/05/2018 - 22:03
          +1

          @staypositivebound: Hold on… So you now own this house, yet play the poor card? Hmmmmmm ok.

          Well at the end of the day, if they are over the fence on YOUR side, its YOU who has to pay for them to be trimmed, if YOU want them trimmed.

          If you can't do it yourself, then like the rest of us who can't do it ourselves for many different reasons, chair, age, weak, don't have the tools or just don't know how you call in a tree company or a garden company to trim them up for you.

        • Quantumcat on 16/05/2018 - 22:59

          @staypositivebound: how did you get a mortgage when you're clearly living hand to mouth?

        • Cheapskate Paul on 17/05/2018 - 00:37

          @Quantumcat:
          You are assuming there is a mortgage involved.

        • staypositivebound on 18/05/2018 - 15:47

          @JimmyF: I know I need to trim the branches myself if it's on my side of the fence. I've tried doing that though it barely makes any difference at all. I asked them to trim their side so one side of my house isn't always constantly in shadow and I can actually dry my clothes outside (if it matters, I have a carer/helper who comes around to assist me. She would be the one to hang the clothes for me).

          "Poor card"? Are you joking? Yes I'm broke. Or 'poor' as you've bluntly put it. What other relevant information about me do you need? I've written what I thought was the most relevant in the first post and it's three paragraphs. Why are you being passive aggressive?

        • JimmyF on 18/05/2018 - 20:21
          +1

          @staypositivebound:

          I've tried doing that though it barely makes any difference at all. I asked them to trim their side so one side of my house isn't always constantly in shadow

          You can only ask and they refused, they are LEGALLY allowed to have trees/plants as high as they like, and you're LEGALLY allowed to trim them back to the fence line.

          Maybe they are broke aka poor just like you, so don't want to spend money on trimming. Did you offer to go halves or even pay for getting them trimmed? Most people who say no, just like you have no money.

          "Poor card"? Are you joking?

          Well you did just buy the house, so you hadn't been that poor ;)

          and yes I treat everyone the same, chair or no chair. This is a pretty clear cut case.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/05/2018 - 20:34
          +2

          @JimmyF
          could you grow a farkn soul:
          Just wondering?

        • JimmyF on 18/05/2018 - 21:40
          +1

          @Sleepyweasel: You're more than welcome to go around and trim their bushes for them if you like.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/05/2018 - 13:32

          @JimmyF
          No sweat

        • staypositivebound on 21/05/2018 - 18:27

          @JimmyF: I'm pretty sure they're not broke, struggling to make ends meet like me. They just bought a shiny new Mercedes. They have a chainsaw and hedge trimmer (I've heard them trimming their side of the fence).

          Yes I've asked if they would like to go halves in hiring a professional to cut/trim the shrub-hedge-tree thing. And they refuse (it's their right to say no, I know) but then they mock me because they know I can't trim/cut the branches myself. they're rude.

        • JimmyF on 21/05/2018 - 22:36

          @staypositivebound: I'm not disagreeing that mocking you is pretty low of them. Really just shows the type of person they are at the end of the day.

          Sadly your best path forward, is slowly saving up and hiring a tree trimmer to do it.

          Its what 90% of the people do anyhow.

  • Hithere on 16/05/2018 - 09:19
    +4

    If the trees/shrubs are growing over the fence into your property and you are already receiving Home Help or other subsidised benefit from your local Council they will on request supply someone to trim the trees/shrubs for you from as little as $5 an hour.

    If they aren't growing into or over your property there's nothing you can do about it. Council won't be interested.

    • staypositivebound on 16/05/2018 - 20:26

      Unfortunately they're starting to grow over the fence. I'm not receiving any assistance from the council, but I'll call them again and ask. I wasn't aware of any benefits from the council, thanks for that.

      • Hithere on 17/05/2018 - 09:20

        My council supplies cleaners, handymen, gutter cleaning, gardeners, lawn mowing and many other services, all at heavily subsidised rates.

        All it took was a form my GP filled in for me, an interview with a council employee, and they were all available if needed.

        AFAIK all councils have similar schemes and there are also private companies doing the same thing, also at subsidised rates.

        Your GP/Health Professional should have all the information you need.

        • staypositivebound on 18/05/2018 - 15:30

          Appreciate the information, I'll ask my GP, thanks.

  • Ian2578 on 16/05/2018 - 09:44

    Its an unfortunate situation.
    If you are renting I consider the best you might do is contact your agent or landlord and request that they take your neighbor to task on this matter.
    Mediation can work sometimes and might be the best option however it seems your neighbor might be beyond willing to participate.
    Otherwise you may have to break your lease on the basis of feeling threatened and vulnerable.
    Good luck.

  • Emli on 16/05/2018 - 09:50
    +2

    When the branches reach the property line, they become your property and you can cut them back as you wish to the property line. You then have the right to throw the branches back to their side to be disposed of. Most people wouldn’t do that. This is the case in WA. Most people with any decency would look at your situation and try to help you in a neighbourly way by doing it for you. Good luck and do come back to say if you had a resolution.
    PS I like your used name.

    • staypositivebound on 16/05/2018 - 20:45

      I appreciate your comment. I think most decent people would see my limited mobility and offer to help me too. I'll be sure to update if there's a resolution. Thanks, I fell like I need to stay positive:)

  • ozbjunkie on 16/05/2018 - 11:49

    If you have soft soil at the fence line you can poison them from your side. That way you have plausible deniability that you were actually just using weedkiller on your own property.

    This is a bad idea - but so was telling you to f-off. Depends on your tolerance for conflict, really.

  • try2bhelpful on 16/05/2018 - 16:29

    I would talk to the council, or landlord, about it - depending on if you own or rent. I know if you are doing an extension you can't block out light from habitable rooms during particular daylight hours so there might be something similar for garden trees. Given you are a paraplegic there may be options for home help assistance on this as well. Best of luck, your neighbour does sounds like a #$#$%^&^&^^&*&.

    • staypositivebound on 16/05/2018 - 20:47

      Not renting, bought the house - so it seems I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Thanks, the neighbour is quite rude.

  • Quantumcat on 16/05/2018 - 23:04
    +1

    It's a shame you have such a bad neighbour. Owing to some poor neighbourly experiences myself I made sure to visit several neighbours of my place after the inspection and before the offer. And scanned the area for dogs. All neighbours were nice and no dogs in the vicinity so that got a big tick (though one neighbour likes to rev his car for ten minutes every morning at 5.30am right outside my bedroom window…. sigh… Can't win them all)

    • staypositivebound on 21/05/2018 - 18:14

      Thanks, yeah it's unfortunate there are some people out there who aren't so polite/do whatever they want, whenever they want.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2018 - 11:48
    -2

    What part of Vic? did you move to? Perhaps someone here can help , trim up shrubs a bit.
    ( Though lack of insurance may stop that incase of injury )
    Otherwise ring some treelopper for free quotes and maybe explain your financial ect situation on the phone,
    They may give you a payment plan or just do it for free as it's their slow season in winter.
    Ring around till you can find an established trustworthy one !!
    And buy some beer for after..

    • JimmyF on 18/05/2018 - 23:03

      or just do it for free

      Why should they do it for free?

      OP is just like the many many many (aka basically everyone) who calls a treelopper can't do it themselves.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/05/2018 - 23:05
        -2

        If you don't know ,
        It's too hard too explain

        • JimmyF on 19/05/2018 - 23:13

          So have you gone around and given the OP a hand?

          I mean you're pretty keen for everyone else to offer a 'free' services to this person, so if its good enough for them, its good enough for you to pitch in a hand as well.

    • staypositivebound on 21/05/2018 - 18:12

      If somebody would offer their services for free, that'd be great. But I've asked for a quote and was quoted to be $400. Will last around some more.

  • ozzpete on 24/05/2018 - 20:55

    I live alone and am paraplegic so I have limited reach .

    Sign up with NDIS . They should definitely help. I have a back injury. NDIS pays for cleaners and gardeners to do things which I cannot do myself due to disability.

    The idea of NDIS, is to ensure equality for people with disabilities, ie . Ensure that you have supports, for anything you have difficulty doing yourself due to disability.

    If NDIS is not in your area yet, there should be some other free/subsidised service that can help with the trimming of tree and/or other gardening. Your neighbor seems to be acting a real tool, sounds like he has issues himself, and taking it out on others (which is not right, but often happens).

    I had issues with overhanging branches onto my property over neighbors fence, when I looked into it, unfortunately the overhanging shrubs over the fence are not legally the neighbors responsibility, however if neighbors overhanging shrub were to fall onto your side and do damage, then they may be liable for any damages .

    Hopefully you have NDIS rolled out in your area, if so they should definitely be able to provide funding for gardener to come in.

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