boundaries

[iwantedthat]

im having trouble with a neighbour who keeps complaining about the fence that divides the driveways, the fence is my responsability and i like it there as he stop him opening his car door onto mine he has since taken it upon him self to hit the post from time to time and try to loosen it, i have caught him doing this on one occasion and taken a photo. my question is should i go to the police with the picture and provoke the situation or warn him i have evidence of him doing it and see if he backs off

[Cheeris]

Assuming you haven't already, can't you just talk to him and ask him what is his problem?

He may be a mentalist and you may have tried the reasonable process already, but perhaps that would be the first step before taking photos let alone going to the police?

[iwantedthat]

tried to talk to him even advised him to reverse on the drive so he opens his door onto his garden, like everyone else in the neighbourhood with the same problem... mentalist is right as he knows i've taken the photos when i informed him of this he said he could do what he likes as he has no mortgage and if he wants to hit the fence he will,then he stroped of back to his house

[Postdog]

I can only relate what happened to me a few years back. I had an apple tree that was growing at a slant, so I tied some string to it, then tied it to a nearby fence post - only tied, nothing permanent.

To cut a long story short, it was the neighbours fence, and he objected - it was not noticable on his side in any way, but he objected, and removed the string. I thought it was just falling off at first, then I caught him, so I asked him (nicely) to leave it as it was only there to help straighten the tree. He said if I did it again, he'd get the police.

Well I laughed, not only at the suggestion but that he felt it was a matter for the police, but guess what, he did, and I ended up with a caution because of it, and told - officially - don't do it again.

So I guess if he can do that for a bit of string, you can do the same for actually trying to damage the fence.

[ladyalex]

This is quite a problem for you as your neighbour sounds quite a difficult man to deal with. If you go to the police, it will sour relationships even further, but if you do not, he will continue damaging your fence until it falls down.
If it was me, I think I would go to the police and try to stop him damaging my property. After all it's your fence , you paid for it and you will have to pay to repair it. You're never going to be friends with this chap and if you let him off with damaging your fence, what might he decide to do next ? You've had words with him about this, he hasn't responded, get the big guns in. I cannot see that you will make him any worse.
Good luck.

[Ethel]

If you make the complaint official not only will it strain relationships between you and your neighbour, it will have to be disclosed to potential buyers if and when you sell the house (assuming he hasn't moved).

Very tricky

[voltr4m4x]

Ethel's answer to your problem is perhaps the best in the circumstances.

You would be required to notify potential buyers of your property (should you decide to sell) that you have a dispute with neighbours. Involving the police in these matters is perhaps not the best solution - I very much doubt whether they would show much interest anyhow - but if as you say the fence belongs to you are you absolutely certain that no part of it extends onto your neighbours right of ingress/access ?

Even a fraction of a millimeter can cause you a problem if your neighbour can prove that he is unable to get out of his car without touching your fence. This in spite of the fact that you maintain the fence may be on your property. If your neighbour can prove that he is hemmed in to such an extent that he is physically unable to properly and safely manouvre his car onto his own driveway without the slightest obstruction caused by your fence then you are on to a loser.

Take photographs by all means if you are attempting to make a case but ensure that you are walking on safe ground before you leap.

[stonekicker]

can't you wait until he's out and then subtly stick some nails through the fence so it scratches his car? or if you want to be goo, video him doing and then complain to the police. there are many ways to p somebody off - be inventive, get some satisfaction (somehow) and ignore the petty stuff about fences. enjoy!

[tigwig]

Tetjam I'm very impressed! That has to be the 1st serious answer I have ever read from you. Well done! You are more funny when you take the p*ss though.

[figure]

Bravo Tetjam! Good answer! But I do miss your snottiness. You know what I mean. :-)