Help with a neighbor issue please.

[luvnwdwgal]

I’d let it go or put a fence up yourself. I really don’t think them having pot plants, which are legal, is going to affect your actual property value.

 

[JLTraveling]

I'm sorry, I'm failing to understand what the problem is. At worst, your neighbors are committing a very minor code violation. Is everything you're doing on your property 100% in code compliance? If not, I'd be really reluctant to report a neighbor's code violation, because you can rest assured that they'll start looking for any reason to report you. Glass houses and all that.

But I suspect that the real problem is that you don't approve of marijuana. Otherwise why on earth would you be so concerned that someone might not buy YOUR house, which doesn't have any pot plants, because your neighbor has some, legally? People can decide not to rent or buy a house for literally millions of reasons, and you can't control all of them even within your own property. Now you're going to go looking for trouble on someone ELSE'S property, even though the thing you don't like is perfectly legal and within their rights? It makes zero sense.

 

[Jennasis]

Are you sure it's marijuana they're growing?

 

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

Sorry, I don’t get why no one seems to understand the OP’s concern. Personally, if I were looking for a house, in a similar situation (newly legalized, but plants not in compliance, and easily visible/accessible), I would consider it a “con” of the house. So it’s completely understandable that the OP would be concerned, and I’m sure other potential buyers/sellers may share my view, which would lower the number of bidders in a buying situation. (I have a 6YO, so that affects my view of things that are personally acceptable.

To the OP - personally, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. When the time comes to sell, it will probably be more common, and won’t be a very big issue. And if it’s very noticeable, you can always talk to the neighbor - maybe they can figure out a solution that’s not so visible, or you can put up a fence on your side.

 

[HopperFan]

My neighbors now have a few plants. Whatever, their business. My husband and I cannot partake because of our jobs. Their plants are in pots in their yard next to ours. No fence and totally visible from the street. They can't move them to the backyard because it isn't sunny enough.

You put up the tallest fence allowed between the houses and/or then if possible plant some fast growing trees/bushes. Just like they are allowed to put their plants where they want, you have the right to build/plant for "privacy". No need to discuss anything.

 

[Christine]

I'm sorry, I'm failing to understand what the problem is. At worst, your neighbors are committing a very minor code violation. Is everything you're doing on your property 100% in code compliance? If not, I'd be really reluctant to report a neighbor's code violation, because you can rest assured that they'll start looking for any reason to report you. Glass houses and all that.

But I suspect that the real problem is that you don't approve of marijuana. Otherwise why on earth would you be so concerned that someone might not buy YOUR house, which doesn't have any pot plants, because your neighbor has some, legally? People can decide not to rent or buy a house for literally millions of reasons, and you can't control all of them even within your own property. Now you're going to go looking for trouble on someone ELSE'S property, even though the thing you don't like is perfectly legal and within their rights? It makes zero sense.

Just to play Devil's Advocate here: I wholeheartedly approve of marijuana. I cannot use it for the same reason the OP can't--legal or not, our jobs don't allow it.

But, I realize that a lot of people out there, legal or not, do not approve of legalizing marijuana, growing it, etc. If I were selling my home and my neighbor had a lot of plants out front that were visible, I would be a bit worried about it. The perception of someone looking to buy in the neighborhood is that the occupants could be smoking the stuff outside and, given the closeness of many homes, people don't want to be around that. Many people (probably older generations or more conservative people) also falsely believe that weed-smokers are doing all sorts of other things too and the house may be deemed to just be an undesirable neighbor. It's just a reality of the perception right now for a lot of people. I think they will die down in the future, but for now, it hasn't.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just like they are allowed to put their plants where they want

Except they can't. OP says the statute says the plants must not be visible from the street, and be behind a fence.

Apparently there's currently no fence between OPs yard and the neighbor, and they've put the pots on the edge of "their" property in the front yard.

 

[lynlynch]

Take charge of your property and plant a few bushes on your border that will grow tall and obscure what you don't want to see. We did this to replace a fence. In the long run, nature costs less than a fence and makes your yard look nice.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

You put up the tallest fence allowed between the houses and/or then if possible plant some fast growing trees/bushes. Just like they are allowed to put their plants where they want, you have the right to build/plant for privacy. No need to discuss anything.

Exactly this.
1st this is all based on facts that are not even happening right now "in the next year or two". Who knows what can change in that time.
2nd, If it bothers the OP that much then put up a fence, I would ask the neighbor to go in on a fence but if they say no, then I would get it myself. Personally, I think you would lose more buyers by not having a fence then by this anyways. Family's with dogs and/or kids will want a fenced in backyard.

 

[HopperFan]

Exactly this.
1st this is all based on facts that are not even happening right now "in the next year or two". Who knows what can change in that time.
2nd, If it bothers the OP that much then put up a fence, I would ask the neighbor to go in on a fence but if they say no, then I would get it myself. Personally, I think you would lose more buyers by not having a fence then by this anyways. Family's with dogs and/or kids will want a fenced in backyard.

HUGE selling point. DD wanted house with fence and her first house had just that for her dogs. They just sold to a young family who wanted a fence. They bought a new build but fence was up within a month. It is a huge amenity to selling a house.

 

[Christine]

All right, now I feel like I've missed some important detail.

How does the OP getting a fence around their backyard help with the situation of the neighbors violating code and having marijuana plants in their front yard?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

All right, now I feel like I've missed some important detail.

How does the OP getting a fence around their backyard help with the situation of the neighbors violating code and having marijuana plants in their front yard?

I think the suggestion was to put a fence up between the two properties in the front, so that the plants were not visible from OPs property.

 

[Living42Day]

So you think that if they‘re not growing it they’re not smoking it? They can just go and buy it, so much easier.

Huh?

Unsightly? They’re plants. My neighbors smoke cigarettes outside, not a fan of the smell but not a big deal.

I wasn't talking about the plants. I was talking about smoking a doobie on the porch...

 

[Christine]

I think the suggestion was to put a fence up between the two properties in the front, so that the plants were not visible from OPs property.

Yeah, without seeing these houses, I wonder how that would look. No one around me puts privacy fences between the front sides of homes, but I guess it could be a thing. Still doesn't solve OP's concern. I mean, I didn't get that she had a problem looking at the plants--she's just worried about how it appears to prospective/future home buyers. A fence won't stop that, nor does it have the neighbors complying with code.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Since this question went over like a lead balloon on Reddit I thought I'd ask here.

Virginia now allows for maryjane to be grown at home. However, the statute says it must not be visible from the street and must be behind a fence so that children can't access it.

My neighbors now have a few plants. Whatever, their business. My husband and I cannot partake because of our jobs. Their plants are in pots in their yard next to ours. No fence and totally visible from the street. They can't move them to the backyard because it isn't sunny enough.

Now why does this bother me? I'd actually like to sell or rent out this house in the next year or two and I just don't think families with young children would move in. Therefore, this is a threat to my property value.

How do I approach the neighbor about putting up a fence? I hate confrontation. Also, do I have to disclose that the neighbors are growers to the next family?

This is simple.
The law was written to protect both of your rights and balance them between you.

If the law says they have to do it a certain way, that is how they have to do it.

If you want to go explain to them how and why you feel that way, have at it. Probably not productive...

You can hire an attorney to send them a cease and desist letter...... It's probably not going to get you the results you want.

However, A simple, anonymous letter (if you would like) to the code enforcement officer in your town would go a long way.

"Dear Code Enforcement officer,

Cite the code, which states you have a grow pot in your backyard and behind a fence.
The people at this address are growing pot not in their backyard and without a fence.
Please investigate this matter, as this may be affecting my property value.

I'm sure someone will say It's just pot. Don't be a *****..... Well if you don't ***** it will only get worst.



Good luck

 

[prairie_girl]

Ugh, that would bother me too because of the smell. Also can't partake because of our careers, not that we would want to anyway. I have neighbors that are unemployed and choose to get high often, so the smell drifts over to our property pretty frequently. We have to keep our windows closed unless we want our belongings to stink . If your neighbors are close enough that the skunk smell will come onto your property, I would consider that an issue and may politely bring it up with them.

I, personally, would not purchase a home where this is an issue because it is not only unsightly but that smell is super bothersome for us. I would think your property value would be at risk because of this.

I’m sorry but your neighbours smoke is in no way going to permeate your belongings to the point where it would stink. That’s just not the reality.

 

[Living42Day]

I’m sorry but your neighbours smoke is in no way going to permeate your belongings to the point where it would stink. That’s just not the reality.

Mmmmmmmmkkkkayyyyy, I'll try to remember my alternative reality next time my daughter's room smells like skunkweed after she forgets to close the window while we are away from the house for a few hours. That was a fun smell to try and get out of her Pottery Barn quilt.

Maybe you're used to weaker strains? Or else my neighbors hit stronger buds...

 

[disneychrista]

Make an anonymous phone call to whomever oversees these things. If the plants are supposed to be fenced or viewed from the street then they are in violation and technically no longer legally growing.

And no it is not something you need to disclose to the new owners/renters. It is not like potential new neighbors disclose to you that they plan to grow.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

I’m sorry but your neighbours smoke is in no way going to permeate your belongings to the point where it would stink. That’s just not the reality.

No but the neighbor openly growing pot will limit the number of qualified buyers or renters that would want her house….

so their failure to comply with the law, is a financial hardship …..

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think the suggestion was to put a fence up between the two properties in the front, so that the plants were not visible from OPs property.

In our neighborhood that doesn't help. You can only have wrought iron looking black metal fencing. I agree fencing helps attract people but OP would have to put a fence and plant bushes along the fence line to not see them in my area. Wood privacy fences aren't as common as you might have seen in the past anyhow