Issue with Neighbor, Not Sure What to Do

Widget on 01/03/2020 - 14:25

Hi,

We have a neighbor (renter) who recently came around complaining about a hole in the fence (3 palings missing) and demanded we fix it as it was apparently our fault (old wood fence failing over time), and he wanted to get a dog. Tried to explain that the fence was the responsibility of both properties but he was having none of it.
He bought up the fact we have a couple of cats, and as he didn't like them, he even threatened to kill them. Tried talking to him, but he was very unreasonable and quite 'angry', he eventually walked off.

I was planning on writing a complaint to the agency / property manager regarding the issues from their tenant, but so far I haven't been able to find who it is. House was sold back in 2016, and the real-estate that sold it said they weren't the agents for the new owner. It's possible the owner is also managing his/her own property.
Not even sure if the agent/owner could/would do anything either, and any info I've found regarding "bad neighbors" mentions nothing about speaking to agents (just speaking to tenant / mediation / legal action)

Now, If he had come up to us and just asked politely "hey, I wanted to get a dog and noticed the hole in the fence. Would you be able to patch it up as I don't have tools" etc.. etc.. or something along those lines, then there wouldn't be an issue. But his behavior was completely unjustified and unnecessary, and I believe it should be noted with the correct authority so it's on file in case of future issues.

I have yet to send off some emails to other organisations asking about this issue, but was wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation?

How would you find out who's the new property manager so future issues can be taken up with them too (if that's a path I can go down)?

How did you handle the situation afterwards? Who did you speak with ?

Note #1: We're the owner/occupiers of our residence.

Note #2: fence fixed.

Thanks in advance.

Home & Garden

Comments

    • Widget on 01/03/2020 - 15:14
      -4

      It is exactly what happened, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered posting.

      Possibly. But we were told by council animal shelter that cats were allowed to roam.

      • Slinky0111 on 01/03/2020 - 16:14
        +4

        Probably not true. Check your local council laws but you will probably find it will state cats aren't allowed to roam outside the property boundary and must be locked up after dark.

      • JimmyF on 01/03/2020 - 16:39

        Possibly. But we were told by council animal shelter that cats were allowed to roam.

        What does the council rules say?

        • Widget on 01/03/2020 - 17:02

          Had a quick look on the website, didn't find much, if anything, about cats, mainly about dogs. I've sent Council a message, but will likely have to contact them tomorrow (Monday) and speak to them about it.

  • elgrande on 01/03/2020 - 14:29
    +5

    he even threatened to kill them

    Did he threaten to kill them or suggest the dog might get through the fence?

    • Widget on 01/03/2020 - 15:13
      +4

      kill them. He doesn't have a dog (yet).

      • User210686 on 10/03/2020 - 07:41

        Threaten to kill his new dog…. if he kills your cats.

  • holdenmg on 01/03/2020 - 14:30
    +4

    Ask the Council who the Owner is.

    If you have photos of the before/after fence plus quotes and receipts you may be able to
    recover 50% of costs if repairs were urgent and necessary. (Probably not).

    • Widget on 01/03/2020 - 15:15
      +1

      Thanks, I'll give them a call/email, see if they can help :).

      No costs other than nails. Majority of fence at this stage is sturdy enough, so not emergency to replace fence at this stage.

  • Donaldhump on 01/03/2020 - 14:48
    +11

    for the price of three fence pailings, just fix it

    • bobbified on 01/03/2020 - 14:57
      +2

      That would've been the logical thing to do!

    • Widget on 01/03/2020 - 15:16
      +2

      It's fixed, but the issue is with the neighbor, not the fence.

      • Donaldhump on 01/03/2020 - 16:48
        +40

        Buy a 4th plank, and keep it handy

        • dasher86 on 01/03/2020 - 23:03
          +3

          Make sure it's a 4x4

        • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2020 - 23:12
          +3

          The neighbour is renting therefore is not liable to share the cost of the fence nor would be sinking funds for the repair of the fence.

          It has nothing to do with labels and human worth.

        • Widget on 02/03/2020 - 23:52
          +5

          Wrong. I labeled him a renter, because he is renting. Period. He was agitated from the start, even before we spoke to him. In fact, it was us that was trying to reason with him to resolve the issue, but from the start, he didn't want to listen. We DIDN'T start the agro, and our attitude was reasonable, regardless what you might think.
          As for the owner, (s)he probably will be more sympathetic with the tenant, so what. A tenant can also become a liability too, especially if they're a problem tenant and the owner/agent have been notified of multiple issues.

          • dwillia on 03/03/2020 - 14:22
            -4

            @Widget: lesson here is don't further agitate an agitated neighbour, what did you think would happen?

            • Widget on 04/03/2020 - 15:04
              +2

              @dwillia: "Don't further agitate an agitated neighbor. What did you think would happen"…? You serious? Did you even read the post?

          • LFO on 03/03/2020 - 19:51
            -5

            @Widget:

            Wrong. I labeled him a renter, because he is renting. Period.

            And what that has to do with a broken fence? The "owners" should be fixing it. Pronto. Before someone get hurt with that unkept fence. Regardless if the neighbor is the Queen or a servant. Is the fence that need attention. Not the neighbor.

            You labeling your neighbor as you did is clearly belittling and even insulting.

            Would you have started with?:

            1. We have a neighbor (a black woman) who …
            2. We have a neighbor (a Jew) who …
            3. We have a neighbor (a homosexual) who …
            4. We have a neighbor (a Christian) who …
            5. We have a neighbor (a dole recipient) who …
            6. We have a neighbor (a Muslim) who …
            7. We have a neighbor (a single parent) who …

            Would you? Surely not.
            I am sure sound offensive even for you.

            How about trying with:
            We have a neighbor who …

            You cannot expect harmony if you don't treat others with respect.

            • try2bhelpful on 03/03/2020 - 20:09
              +2

              @LFO: The fact that the guy is a “renter” is very relevant because a “renter” should not be talking to the owner next door about the fence; they should be talking to the person who owns their property and then that person talks to the person next door about getting the fence repaired. Fences are joint responsibilities between owners.

              Your “other options” are no where near equivalent. It sounds like the “renter” is the person lacking respect if they were threatening the OPs cats. If I owned the property being rented, and heard what happened to the OP, I would be pretty horrified. If I was renting my property out I would befriend the neighbours to act as my eyes and ears, they could keep me across anything that might be dodgy.

        • freakatronic on 03/03/2020 - 14:16
          +1

          Projecting much? Geez. Nothing wrong with renting, but you've clearly got a continent-sized chip on your shoulder about it.

  • Godric on 01/03/2020 - 14:53
    +6

    If you've already fixed it, just move on

    • Davo1111 on 01/03/2020 - 15:29

      agreed.

      Fence is fixed.

      OP read the council laws about cats roaming free.

      "But we were told by council animal shelter that cats were allowed to roam."

      This is not sufficient.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/03/2020 - 15:02

    Call the police

  • lunchbox99 on 01/03/2020 - 16:03
    -1

    Yeah even with OP painting it in the best light for their side of the story, it still sounds petty. Fence is fixed, neighbour happy. Don't talk to each other again. Simples.

    • Widget on 01/03/2020 - 16:37
      +14

      I didn't paint anything. I detailed exactly what happened. What's so petty about that? As for talking, we don't talk as it is, but when someone comes to your house, makes demands, when he could have spoken to the property manager and had them deal with it, then makes threats, that's an issue. There's nothing petty about filing a legitimate complaint, when something happens, people do it all the time.

  • try2bhelpful on 01/03/2020 - 16:43
    +6

    This guy is a renter so, instead of hassling the OP, why didn’t he just go to the agent or owner and raise this with them? However, I would just chalk this up to a one off, for now.

    But, I would go to council, find out the owner and, if you have further issues, contact them directly. If he persists in this sort of behaviour then I would go to the cops. These things can start with small issues and escalate. I would be careful not to let your cats roam anywhere near his property. There are things you can put on the tops of fences to stop them getting out.

    • Widget on 01/03/2020 - 17:00

      Thanks for the response. Hopefully it is a one off, and doesn't continue. I really don't want to go down the legal path in future due to costs/hassle etc.. I'll get in contact with the council and see what they say.

      Our cats usually just stay inside, or sit outside in the front yard, at night. There are other people in the area with cats too, and many occasions we get a stray or two come into the street/property and start trouble. We borrow traps from time-to-time, but they're usually gone again before we can catch :/.

      I'll have to look into that gadget for the fence, might come in handy.

      • try2bhelpful on 01/03/2020 - 17:55
        +1

        The main reason I would find out the contact details now is if there is a reason you need to contact them quickly. Everybody should have contact details for their, immediate, neighbours. Particularly if it is a rental property as you can’t just knock on their door.

        There are websites that show you how to make something suitable for the cats. Some are done using what looks like a long dowel with free wheeling plastic pipe over it; when the cat tries to get purchase the pipe turns and they can’t get over it.

        Our courtyard garden has two storey brick walls, so short of strapping on crampons we are set. However, we have a porch, with a gate, and one of our girls, who we dubbed “Miss Houdini”, kept finding ways to get out. The front of our porch looks like Colditz; including hard drive magnets used to keep the gate from being pushed open.

  • kahn on 01/03/2020 - 17:15
    +7

    Offer one of your cats as a Pagan sacrifice to appease the Neighbour Gods.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/03/2020 - 18:48

      whoa

    • canyoudoitcheaper on 02/03/2020 - 02:09
      +7

      Were you dropped on your head as a child?

    • Euphemistic on 02/03/2020 - 06:59
      +3

      Renting and thinking about buying a dog?

      • parisienne on 02/03/2020 - 10:34

        Yep,my thoughts exactly.I would be finding out who the owner is, then having a chat…first about their tenants attitude (red flags everywhere there for them being a tenant from hell who would have no issues destroying the property on a whim) then about the fact they have said they are getting a dog (is that OK according to lease agreement ? )

    • HighAndDry on 02/03/2020 - 08:02
      +2

      Lol. Guy's renting. If OP makes enough of a fuss, the rental might just not get renewed. People like the neighbour rarely make for good tenants anyway.

    • No ONE on 03/03/2020 - 15:10

      Trash talk much!

  • Dbargain4me on 01/03/2020 - 18:38
    +2

    Take your cats to some steet fighter training . Cats are good fighters my American pittie was outsmarted by a street thug cat who jumped in the yard . The cat actually used a tree as protection and cut my dog's face up had to wet the cat to get him to leave

    • try2bhelpful on 02/03/2020 - 07:07
      +2

      If a cat can get away they normally get the best out of a fight. As a kid my mother lived on a farm and they had this tough as nails cat. someone’s cattle dog came in the yard, one day, and the last my mother saw of it was it running out of the yard with the cat riding on its back with the claws in it for grip. Cat sauntered back later.

  • Falkner on 01/03/2020 - 19:15
    +5

    This guy sounds like a nutcase, keep your cats inside pretty much all the time. If you do let them outside make sure that you are observing them and don't let them leave your sight, only do it during the day as well, never during dawn/dusk.

  • Euphemistic on 01/03/2020 - 19:52
    +8

    I wonder if the landlord will approve him getting a dog? Make contact with the landlord under the guise of consider getting the fence repaired properly/replaced because it won’t stand up to a dog. Then just casually mention the tenant wants to get a dog, not yourself. Might rid you of the dog problem, or the tenant.

    • holdenmg on 01/03/2020 - 20:40
      -1

      Woof!

  • Forfiet on 02/03/2020 - 04:43
    +2

    If you think your neighbour might do something unprovoked in the future, keep a diary(or word/notepad doc) of the times and actions they have taken towards you that make you feel threatened or uncomfortable.

    Don't be emotional when writing this and use the same mindset if you have to report anything to the council or police…… Other than that just hope this was a one-off occurrence…..

  • Traveller107 on 02/03/2020 - 08:12

    Call the council they will give you details of the owner next door.
    Or ask someone with rpdata subscription. Or you might find old rental ad on oldlistings.com.au

    I'm guessing dog hasn't been approved by the property management agency and that's why he's angry and wants you to fix the fence instead of asking the agency/landlord. Or maybe he is the owner?!
    I'd recommend a polite friendly call to the police as well to inform them of his threat toward your pets and their suggestions on how best to deal with this nut job. They might just Have a chat with him that might sort him out.

    Regardless, try to keep your cats indoor as they will be safer healthier and happier that way. Cheers!

  • Traveller107 on 02/03/2020 - 08:24
    +3

    Btw I've had a moron next door tenant in the past make demands for a new fence and I made it clear that I will not deal with a tenant regarding it as he doesn't have ownership right to get such works done to the property. Told him I'll only deal with the owner or managing agency and that if he wants to play "owner " he should buy a property.
    His yapping stopped the next day. Entertaining such morons will only lead to more demands and attention seeking behaviour so best to just ignore them.

  • azonki on 02/03/2020 - 08:38
    +1

    I would be concerned about his threats to kill your (profanity) cats.
    There is a clear link between acts of animal cruelty and other serious crimes such as illegal weapon ownership, drugs, gambling, partner/wife and child abuse, rape and homicide.
    He is not a nice person and should be reported to your local police.

  • TEER3X on 02/03/2020 - 08:41
    -2

    Now you know why the previous renters left

  • orangetrain on 02/03/2020 - 08:45
    +1

    Keep your cute cats indoors. Irresponsible to let it roam outside.

    • try2bhelpful on 02/03/2020 - 09:47

      In your own yard is OK, as well. We have an enclosed courtyard garden and the girls like to get out there.

  • Big Dog on 02/03/2020 - 09:53

    Not one mention of bikies. Surprised.

    • Cliche Guevara on 02/03/2020 - 14:16
      +1

      Plot twist: neighbour IS a bikie…

  • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2020 - 12:02

    Definitely look at keeping your cats indoors and if they do go outside, ensure that they remain within your property's perimeter - you don't want to risk them going into your neighbour's property again seeing as he is so triggered by cats!

    I appreciate you want to contact the owner however I'm not so sure that this is wise under the circumstances - your neighbour could be a friend/relative of the owner so you should consider this possibility as it could make things even more awkward. Also, your council may not be able to provide you with the owner's details due to privacy. I recently had to contact the local council as our unoccupied neighbour's property became a honey farm virtually overnight and the swarm of bees posed a risk due to allergies. My council advised to write a letter to the neighbour setting out all the details and then council passed it onto the owner.

    I would speak to the police regarding the neighbour's threat to harm your pets and provide them with any security camera footage of the incident, if you have it.

  • OzHunterNSW on 02/03/2020 - 12:03
    -6

    STOP…… it's only 3 planks…… three…. 3…. three…
    How much does that cost?

    Three fence palings…. three… 3….

    And you want to go to war over three, 3, three fence palings.

    If you are so stingy… go to an old wood yard.

    Three 3 three 3 palings!

    • try2bhelpful on 02/03/2020 - 12:07
      +4

      Threatened to kill the cats is more the issue. Also he should’ve been talking to the owner or the agent, not the next door neighbour,

    • redrum22 on 02/03/2020 - 19:21

      so when someone treats you like a complete chump, sounds like you're happy to just back down say "okay, I'll do it!".

      clearly this isn't about the insignificant cost of fixing the fence.

    • Widget on 03/03/2020 - 00:04
      +2

      Nobody wants to go to 'war' over it. Personally, I couldn't care less about a small section of fence missing. 3 palings at the side of the house, has no effect on anything. He wanted to get the dog, he could have patched it, or contacted the owner/agent to have it fixed. Don't be a yes-man.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2020 - 23:14
      +2

      Clearly someone is an insecure renter.

  • CalmLemons on 03/03/2020 - 13:32
    +1

    I would ignore the neighbours rude reaction as it appears he is probably just a 'simple' person. I highly doubt he would kill your cats. most guys like this are more bark than any action and mostly cowards to have to threaten animals to make up for his manhood.

    I believe there is a law that says if a tenant is a threat (not sure if physical or verbal) to surrounding neighbours then the landlord can immediately evict.

    I've always had old grumpy neighbours (mostly men) complain about trivial things. Put things into perspective he probably is a moron and can't see any view other than his own. sometimes we let the idiots just kill themselves slowly.

  • Wozza4 on 03/03/2020 - 14:09

    Hi, I have just gone through similar. The laws vary from state to state. The local council will give details about the property. You will have to stipulate that the fence needs repair or replacing. Normally both sides have to pay for the cost when it comes to fencing. In my case, the idiot neighbour drove a digger through the fence. He had to pay plus court costs. If it is normal wear and tear you both have to pay. I would suggest you replace the whole fence and get with added height. Obviously no etc. can be completed until the owner has been notified in writing. Most states have a section specifically for fencing. The forms are online. Once filled out and filed the process will start, mediation then a court case. Most cases are resolved at mediation. I have cats but as I live in cat curfew area mine have a cat run. If I had a nutter next door my cats would be indoors. I would report him to the Police and owner/ agent to be on the safe side.

  • DarwinBoy on 03/03/2020 - 14:21

    If he wants a dog it's his responsibility to keep it in his yard and not yours.
    If he wants the fence fixed he needs to arrange that between the owner and yourself.
    You fixing the fence means he will just lump everything on you in the future.
    Good luck anyway.

  • apptrack on 03/03/2020 - 14:24

    If you look up the property on realestate and domain it will usually list the rent price and the agency

  • jsb on 07/03/2020 - 18:37
    -3

    I think everyone including OP is looking at this wrongly.
    You need to connect the dots.
    First of all, I am not saying that neighbour's behaviour was correct, but you need to understand why he was behaving that way.

    I would guess he is fed up of seeing your cats roaming on his backyard or property or maybe peeing there. He is attributing part of the problem to the fence which was making it easy for cats to move around.
    That is why he is threatening to kill them and getting the dog which will keep your cats away. He is also saying that OP is part of the problem to allow cats to move to his property and so OP should fix the same to plug that hole

    • try2bhelpful on 07/03/2020 - 20:40

      The renter should be talking to the owner of his property about fixing the fence, not threatening the OPs cats. There is, absolutely, no excuse for that sort of behaviour. If I owned the property this guy is renting and I found out about that, then I would, seriously, be looking at not renewing the lease. This renter can’t keep his temper so who knows what he might do.

  • popsiee on 10/03/2020 - 09:08
    +1

    He bought up the fact we have a couple of cats, and as he didn't like them, he even threatened to kill them.

    Bad move if you put that on social media this guy could get in trouble . Watch : Don't F**k With Cats

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