The owner of the house upset by the invasive behavior of the neighbors: ‘Document [the] evidence’

A homeowner took to social media to rant about several negative experiences they had with their problematic neighbors. In one of the latest violations, the neighbors destroyed a vegetable garden, shrubs, and native plants.

On the r/neighborsfromhell subreddit, the poster shared a list of crimes inflicted on them by their neighbors. They explained that the neighbors had caused problems since she and her husband had moved in by throwing rubbish in their yard and setting off fireworks in the middle of the night.

Recently, neighbors escalated matters by digging up the homeowner’s plants and “poisoning” others, leaving them “crispy and brown.”

The homeowner explained that they went to the police, who said the situation could be a code enforcement issue. So, they asked for advice from Redditors who were in similar situations.

Unfortunately, difficult neighbors can make it challenging to engage in activities that respect the planet, from gardening to installing a natural lawn. While in some cases the neighbors may only grumble, in others they may go so far as to cause damage to the property.

For example, one person’s neighbor repeatedly parked his car on their garden just because it was convenient. Others have had code compliance officers ask them to save their yards again.

If you are experiencing problems with your neighbors, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the tension. First, consider building a relationship that fosters open communication, allowing each of you to express your concerns or address challenges, wrote Better Homes and Gardens.

When casual conversations don’t work, you should document the concern with dates, times and photo or video evidence, according to State Farm. When necessary, you can bring this information to the property managers or the authorities.

Commenters were alarmed by the apparently erratic and dangerous behavior of the neighbors. “I’ll take some soil samples and then cover the soil so it doesn’t rain on it… I’ll wash off the contamination. Then I’ll get an experienced lawyer,” one wrote.

A second person expressed sympathy for the poster, saying: “Few things are worse than having bad neighbors. It permeates almost every aspect of your life. OP, sorry you’re having to deal with this.”

“If you don’t have cameras, you should think about getting them,” stated another. “… Get on with your life, stay legal, and document with evidence that will stand up in court.”

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