While most people living in a subdivision are considerate and agreeable, some exhibit neighbor behaviors that can be downright annoying. You could have a cantankerous guy or a nosy lady living nearby. Here are some common issues you may experience and safeguards you may have on your side.
When dealing with difficult neighbor behaviors, what rights do you have?
While a neighbor can commit some behaviors with impunity, local zoning laws, deed restrictions, or a Homeowners Association (HOA) should address some common problems.
Before complaining to authorities, it is always best to talk with the offending neighbor in an unthreatening, calm way. It may or may not work, but it’s always better to give people the benefit of the doubt, as they may not realize the impact of their actions.
Loud noises at certain times of the day. Running machinery such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and electric saws during the day is perfectly legal, even if it wakes your sleeping baby. Most municipalities have noise restriction ordinances before certain hours in the morning, past certain times in the evening, and against excessively high-decibel sounds.
Parties and music. If a loud party goes late into the night, it can disturb your peace. You cannot do much if it happens before the local ordinance curfew time, such as 10 p.m. If it occurs later, you may have to speak to your neighbor, call the police, or contact the HOA.
At-home businesses. Many online businesses are operated from people’s homes. If your neighbor’s at-home business receives or ships directly using large trucks, this may violate zoning laws. If a neighbor runs a transmission-repair business from his garage and has customer vehicles parked in the street, auto parts lying in the driveway, and pneumatic wrenches screeching all day, that’s probably a violation of HOA rules, deed restrictions, and zoning laws.
Dogs roaming freely or barking excessively. Cities, counties, and states have leash laws that disallow dogs from roaming freely. If a neighbor’s dog barks incessantly, it would fall under the restrictions of local noise ordinances.
Tall fences or storage sheds. Deed or HOA restrictions may set how tall a shed or fence may be and if an outbuilding must be set back a certain distance from property lines.
Unmaintained landscaping. Is your neighbor’s grass knee-high? Are the bushes wild and overgrown? Try talking to your neighbor first. You may find that he or she has been sick and needs help. But if the yard is simply neglected, reason with them calmly before contacting the HOA or the city.
Cars parked in front of your house. Your neighbor is free to park on the street, except when a red fire-lane stripe runs along each side of the road or HOA rules forbid street parking. Also, a street-parked car cannot fully or partially block a driveway, nor should it block a mailbox.
Smoke and other smells. Delicious-smelling barbecue may be tolerable, especially when you’re invited to share it! However, cigarette smoke or chemical smells are different, and there may not be anything you can do about them.
Ring and security cameras. Your neighbor’s security camera captures his front porch, but its viewing range may capture your comings and goings across the street. There’s nothing you can do about that.
Flags and yard signs are on display. HOAs cannot legally forbid the display of the American flag but can set rules on how it is displayed. In most states, HOAs can forbid political yard signs and banners.
Related – Airbnb Hosting Etiquette: 5 Essential Tips to Keep Your Neighbors Happy
