Natwerk Designs

How would you feel if your neighbor did this?

Our landscaper professionally designed and integrated some landscaping between our house and our neighbors. It's on our property but edges on the neighbors border. It goes from the front to the back of the property. We paid well and had it professionally done and have maintained it, i.e. weeding it and putting down mulch every year. This is my issue: Without asking us, the neighbors have planted a straight row of flowers, along with tacky blue lights every foot all along the inside of the landscaping on their side. How would you feel? Do you think they had a right to do this, especially without talking to us first. What would you do? As I stated earlier, the landscaping is on our property, but borders theirs. They put their stuff inside our landscaping design on their side. Is it normal to ask the neighbors opinion before putting landscaping on our own personal property? I repeat: Our landscaping is on OUR property. They put their flowers & lights on OUR landscaping on OUR property, but facing their own property.

Public Comments

1. As long as it's on their property, there is nothing you can do about it. What you feel is tacky, they may feel is beautiful. Everyone's taste is different. However, they are apparently not breaking any laws. Hope this helps.
2. If that happened to me, yes I would feel upset about it, but I would understand it too. It's their property, they have a right to do whatever they like to it.
3. If the plants and lights are inside your property line, they have to move them. They cannot put anything on your property, by law. If, however; the lights and plants are on their property, it's time for a fence. Edit: Then they have to move them if they are on your property. No if, and's or buts. If they refuse to move them, you can. But realize that you would be opening a can of worms with this. Feuds have started over something like this. If you are having problems now, take several people's advice on here and get a fence.
4. If it's on their property there's little you can do. You may want to check city or subdivision covenants to see how close to the property lines you can make improvemants, but you may find out that you could be in violation.
5. Did you ask them for their opinion before you had your landscaping done? I bet you didn't, so why do they need your permission for their own property? I would be thankful they didn't plant a whole row of sunflowers! If it bothers you so much, maybe you should put a fence along the edge of your landscaping so people will see the division.
6. Has your neighbor encroached onto your property with their row of flowers? If so, they may be of the opinion that you have encroached upon their property with your landscaping and this is their way of letting you know it. If you have a survey and the boundaries are clearly marked, you should discuss it with them if you can. If this is not possible, you may need to ask your attorney to write them. In some areas, I believe, residents are expected to respect a "set-back" from the property line but this may not be true where you are. It may be time to erect a fence between you and your neighbor if this is allowed.
7. on their own side, it's their decision. Did you ask their permission to put your landscaping on their side? Unfortunately on your own land or their own land, nobody can stop anyone. However I would be annoyed if it looked ugly but not be able to do anything.
8. "Is it normal to ask the neighbors opinion before putting landscaping on our own personal property?"--nope. you didn't consult them before you did your landscaping on your own property, no reason for them to consult you for theirs. remember: "fences make good neighbors". time for a fence if their landscaping offends you so much.
9. They put flowers on their own property, not on your side of the line - right? Or, am I misunderstanding this? I don't think i'd be upset if I had a neighbor do that (so long as it were on their side) - I would assume they were probably trying to make their property nice, maybe adding to your landscaping. This is why i'm soooo happy to live in the country, my closest neighbors are squirrels. Though, we sometimes have our lil boundary issues, too. lol =P
10. If it's on their property then yes we have this neighbor that has their bench in our Yard it drives me crazy but in the whole scheme of things is it really that important anyways.
11. id kick his ass
12. Inside their property line they can do anything they please. They can put up a row of pink flamingos and dancing Hula girls if they so please. If it crosses over into your property line, they can be asked legally to move it back. You seem awfully proud of your professional landscaping, which is good, but maybe it doesn't impress them much.