[NSW] Backyard Neighbour Causing Grief

MrNice on 28/06/2021 - 20:05
Last edited 28/06/2021 - 20:26 by 1 other user

We purchased our home and moved in a few weeks ago - Backyard back neighbour causing grief

We are quiet people and we have purchased a house, our two side neighbours are fantastic. We have spoken and greeted all our neighbours. Recently we has a backyard BBQ and the back fence neighbour (neighbour back fence) screamed from their back door and ran to the back fence and kept screaming at us for having our backyard lights on in the evening for our BBQ. We also had a fire pit on as well. The neighbours called a "Ranger" and the ranger came to our house at about 7pm telling us that the backyard neighbour reported fumes and that we were burning something. He came to the backyard and said all was compliant and recorded the fire pit.

  • We know the neighbour reported us as they screamed I'm reporting you
  • We have spoken to our side neighbours and now know that our backyard neighbour reported them as well (for manure smell - which they were using for plants and gardening)

I am absolutely distraught as we tried to communicate with them and they seem to not listen.

Our back fence is also very weak, has 1cm to 1.5cm gaps between each wood piece so it seems we have no privacy.

I've just spoken to them about repairs and they don't care. I've searched up that I can send them a "Fencing Notice" letter. I will report them to NCAT if they do not reply within the months guideline.

What else can I do now that is well within my rights, as they seem to be the KAREN type that reports neighbours for absolutely no reason.

I'm in NSW, the back fence is 1.8m can I put it higher? Also, how can I return the favour to them?

Thank you Ozbargain Fam

Home & Garden

Comments

  • spackbace on 28/06/2021 - 20:15
    +1

    Also, how can I return the favour to them?

    Ah tit-for-tat in a new property, good luck with that!

  • SydStrand on 28/06/2021 - 20:16

    Start lifting weights at 04:30AM.

    • Nugs on 28/06/2021 - 21:05
      +2

      It's the dropping that is more important
      .

  • popsiee on 28/06/2021 - 20:20

    My favourite move again :) .

  • brendanm on 28/06/2021 - 20:21
    +13

    Also, how can I return the favour to them?

    Don't do this.

    You can always put your own fence in front of the boundary fence, can put in a hedge, plants, put up a lattice higher than the fence and put a creeper on it etc.

  • holdenmg on 28/06/2021 - 20:24
    +1

    Get a Big Dog that Barks (and/or Howls) and jumps against the back fence.

    • djones145 on 28/06/2021 - 20:57
      +6

      prolly end up in jail and we get the posts. help my cell mate is causing me grief. he keeps dropping his soap in the shower.

  • nakahanap on 28/06/2021 - 20:25
    +2

    This isn’t going to end well.

    Repair the fence - read your local council regulations on height - because you’re going to need the little privacy it provides.

    Good luck.

  • Switchblade88 on 28/06/2021 - 20:27
    +3

    If they are creating serious problems, record it and make a series of complaints to police every time it happens. Consistency is key to logging issues over time.

    The police will likely get just as frustrated as you with the pettiness, but they'll be the ones to knock on their door with complaints as well as the valid threat of an AVO or similar which is a valid option after repeated callouts.

    I don't expect the situation to improve, and thus your only defence will be a legal one to minimise future abuse.

  • SF3 on 28/06/2021 - 20:38
    -1

    OP’s username checks out, but should change it from this incident onwards to MrGetEven. :)

    Or just Bikies.

  • pharkurnell on 28/06/2021 - 20:40
    -1

    get a truck load of blood and bone in and stack it at the back fence.

    are you or the others new Australians and the other bogans in wife beaters with 20ltr drums for ashtrays?

  • Transient on 28/06/2021 - 20:59
    +2

    Here's a fact sheet on the NSW Act on Dividing Fences that may help answer some of your questions: https://www.swslc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Neighbou…

    If the fence is still in good nick you could try adding extra palings to cover the gaps for more privacy - about $2 each for 1.8M high.

    Some neighbours have nothing better to do than to cause grief. Perhaps plant some fast growing screening plants to give more screening height.

  • morse on 28/06/2021 - 20:59
    +3

    It’s always best to try and get on with neighbours. Before we put an offer in on our place we knocked on the neighbours doors, introduced ourselves, had a chat including asking about any existing conflicts (fence disputes etc) with the owners. It was a great opportunity to get a vibe from the neighbours.

    Fire pits often let off a whole lot of smoke, which for some can trigger asthma, exacerbation of COPD etc. I’m not saying I’d react the way your neighbour did but they might have a legitimate reason to be upset.

    It’s probably time to keep some distance from your neighbour and do what you can to not rock the boat.

  • Cheeper on 28/06/2021 - 22:23
    +2

    Check with your local council for fencing regulations.
    Best not to annoy a stupid neighbour if you can avoid it.
    I would imagine any co-operation from your neighbour re modifying or repairing the fence would be zero. (I had a neighbour like that once).
    I doubt there would be anything against putting a maximum height colourbond fence just inside your old existing one?
    If you diy they are not that expensive and your pest of a neighbour problem would be fixed for good. Worth the money imo.

  • Marty-69 on 28/06/2021 - 22:34
    +1

    Install a recording app on your phone and record everything they scream, yell and say. Just in case…..

  • Quantumcat on 28/06/2021 - 22:39

    Don't try to up the ante. It isn't going to make them back down, only escalate things so life is worse for you. Install a new fence, don't bother trying to get them to pay and plant some fast growing tall hedging plants along the back so you have to deal with them less.

    Just ignore them

    • SF3 on 28/06/2021 - 23:02
      +4

      OP can save the invoice and get the future neighbour to pay for half the cost of the fence ;)

  • WreckTangle on 28/06/2021 - 23:05
    +4

    My neighbour has a fire pit. Very annoying.

  • AlienC on 28/06/2021 - 23:49
    -1

    Record future incidents.

    Upload to dumbtube.

    ????.

    Prophet.

  • Archi on 29/06/2021 - 08:47
    +1

    you are in there for a long haul.

    lucky for me i got to witness this to the people living across the road from us.

    it has been going on for a bout 3 years and longer, the guy lives with a partner daughter and grand kids and still managers to be a real A-Hole.

    multiple calls to police and council over the years,

    he only recently got charged with domestic disturbance and abusive behaviour.

    my advice is keep a record of the altercations with photographs and video evidence as much as possible… eventually when the authorities get involved over time hopefully it will stop..

    but at the same time for your own sanity and the sanity of your family… i would try the extra mile to reconcile the problem before it gets to a point where nothing will work.

    are you willing to go head to head for a couple of years?

  • brad1-8tsi on 29/06/2021 - 12:13

    If the fence is only a few hundred for extra palings then I'd wear it and DIY the job.

    Consider planting some fast growing trees.

    If they continue reporting you and you aren't in breach you can register / report them for vexatious behaviour.

  • Chris Topher on 29/06/2021 - 12:37

    I bought too much popcorn, anyone up for a share?

  • Love a bargain on 29/06/2021 - 13:08

    Time to invest in some decent security cameras with microphones if you haven't already.

  • Sturt on 29/06/2021 - 17:27

    I think you may have sent too much smoke into your neighbours home…
    If you have a fire, make sure its not a smoking mess. I've seen a valley become a smoggy hotbox because someone couldn't get their fire to burn without getting that nice full flame combustion.

  • Laziofogna on 02/07/2021 - 11:34

    There are always two sides of a story. Your neighbour thinks it's you causing grief to him with your lifestyle. It was also interesting to read your previous posts on Ozbargain.

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