Neighbor/Fence/Sprinkler Issue

[KT27]

Just needing some advice:

We put a fence up 2 weeks ago - while the fence installer was here he stated he hit an irrigation line - we knew he wasn't responsible as his contract stated that he wouldn't be. We were fine with that. We needed to get the sprinkler system readjusted & a few heads replaced anyway but decided to wait until the fence was in so we would know how to position the sprinklers & do an overall tune up. DH has been away off & on over the last few weeks so we still have not repaired the sprinklers.

The neighbors (it is a house up for rent - no one lives there) have a fence as well and when we were deciding to install our fence we chose not to hook up to their fence & just follow our property line and enclose our back yard.

Long story short a landscaper for the property mgr next door knocks on my door tonight and says I need to get in your fence because a sprinkler head of our is on your property. I said sure, he goes back there and tells me that the irrigation line was nicked. I told him I knew that and we planned to repair it shortly (not knowing it was his). He then stated it was the neighbor's line & sprinkler head on our property that was nicked.

So it's our fence, our property & his sprinkler head and pipes on our side that were nicked. Who's responsible?

I feel it's our property it shouldn't be there in the 1st place. The landscaper is telling me we may receive a bill. Hubby is unreachable at the moment. Thoughts???

 

[Handbag Lady]

Just needing some advice:

We put a fence up 2 weeks ago - while the fence installer was here he stated he hit an irrigation line - we knew he wasn't responsible as his contract stated that he wouldn't be. We were fine with that. We needed to get the sprinkler system readjusted & a few heads replaced anyway but decided to wait until the fence was in so we would know how to position the sprinklers & do an overall tune up. DH has been away off & on over the last few weeks so we still have not repaired the sprinklers.

The neighbors (it is a house up for rent - no one lives there) have a fence as well and when we were deciding to install our fence we chose not to hook up to their fence & just follow our property line and enclose our back yard.

Long story short a landscaper for the property mgr next door knocks on my door tonight and says I need to get in your fence because a sprinkler head of our is on your property. I said sure, he goes back there and tells me that the irrigation line was nicked. I told him I knew that and we planned to repair it shortly (not knowing it was his). He then stated it was the neighbor's line & sprinkler head on our property that was nicked.

So it's our fence, our property & his sprinkler head and pipes on our side that were nicked. Who's responsible?

I feel it's our property it shouldn't be there in the 1st place. The landscaper is telling me we may receive a bill. Hubby is unreachable at the moment. Thoughts???

I would either have a survey done or look at whatever recent survey you have first before you do anything, just to make sure it is indeed your property.

 

[KT27]

Had a survey done at the time we bought the house, it is on our property about 2 ft in.

 

[dakcp2001]

I think you would be within your rights to ask them to relocate their irrigation system to their property. But it won't make for a neighborly relationship. It never should have been there to begin with.

 

[TLuvsD]

Does this mean other sprinklers are not working and the landscaping is dying? Are any of your sprinklers on their side (ie I'm thinking bad original installation). I'd do what it takes to get all sprinklers on the right side of the fences. And likely just patch the line until then. If it can just be capped off at the fence line, I'd have that done (or get DH to do it).

 

[Handbag Lady]

Had a survey done at the time we bought the house, it is on our property about 2 ft in.

I think you would be within your rights to ask them to relocate their irrigation system to their property. But it won't make for a neighborly relationship. It never should have been there to begin with.

Then I agree with this. It shouldn't be there so you shouldn't have to pay for any damages. But, at what expense to neighbor relations?

 

[dansamy]

Cap it off.

 

[KT27]

Thanks for the advice/input. The home is owned by a property investment firm who bought it as a foreclosure & redid the entire thing over. No person/neighbor to deal with at the moment just a property mgr.

Their sprinklers are working as I hear them every morning. The grass in both yards is mature grass covered over by trees, not new sod that is dying due to overexposure to the sun.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

I'd call the property manager and ask him to remove his line from my property.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using DISBoards

 

[CPT Tripss]

I would talk to the property manager about capping it off on their side of the fence. I would do anything on your property unless they turn the water on and start to flood my yard.

Nor would I be too concerned about neighborly relations with an unoccupied house. But since there is a roperty manager for a vacant house, I would consider myself fortunate and work with him. He's a pro and knows his responsibility.

ETA I type too slow and algo got a phone call.

 

[ironpig70]

Two feet in is a big deal and not a ohh I missed the property line.

Since its on your property its not your responsibility. I'd tell the property manager that he is out of luck.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I think you would be within your rights to ask them to relocate their irrigation system to their property. But it won't make for a neighborly relationship. It never should have been there to begin with.

I'd call the property manager and ask him to remove his line from my property.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using DISBoards

I agree with this. My parents had a sprinkler system installed and the people who did it went over the line just a little bit. When someone built a house next door, the line was broken and my parents were responsible. They didn't think twice about it because clearly the people had gone over the line. I think the company actually repaired it for free, or very cheap, because it was their mistake.

 

[tvguy]

You broke it, you fix it in my opinion. Now, is this water line parallel with your fence, or does it just cross over and end on your property? If it just ends on your property, when I had it fixed, I'd just relocate the sprinkler head to their side of the fence. If you're doing it yourself, best I can figure, you're looking at 10 minutes work and about $2 in parts. Afterall, YOU have been benefitting from the property owner next door paying to water YOUR lawn all these years.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I'd tell him too bad, so sad, you're on my property. Move it back two feet onto your side of the fence.

 

[KT27]

You broke it, you fix it in my opinion. Now, is this water line parallel with your fence, or does it just cross over and end on your property? If it just ends on your property, when I had it fixed, I'd just relocate the sprinkler head to their side of the fence. If you're doing it yourself, best I can figure, you're looking at 10 minutes work and about $2 in parts. Afterall, YOU have been benefitting from the property owner next door paying to water YOUR lawn all these years.

We just purchased the home in December. The house next door was purchased 2 weeks prior to our closing.

 

[Tozzie]

You broke it, you fix it in my opinion. Now, is this water line parallel with your fence, or does it just cross over and end on your property? If it just ends on your property, when I had it fixed, I'd just relocate the sprinkler head to their side of the fence. If you're doing it yourself, best I can figure, you're looking at 10 minutes work and about $2 in parts. Afterall, YOU have been benefitting from the property owner next door paying to water YOUR lawn all these years.

Are you serious, it was broken because the OP didn't know it was there because the the owners of the other property installed it without her knowledge or consent.

I would send a letter to the property management company telling them that their sprinkler equipment is on your property and you expect it to be removed within 10 days and that you expect the grass to be repaired to the original state it is in now.

 

[KT27]

Update: today I drafted a letter to send to the property manager. Had it ready to mail and the landscaper came back with his crew to relocate the irrigation back to their side. When I asked him about the bill he said there wasn't going to be one as the irrigation shouldn't have been on our side. He apologized, asked for access to the yard, did his work, and cleaned up. I'm happy.

 

[okeydokey]

Update: today I drafted a letter to send to the property manager. Had it ready to mail and the landscaper came back with his crew to relocate the irrigation back to their side. When I asked him about the bill he said there wasn't going to be one as the irrigation shouldn't have been on our side. He apologized, asked for access to the yard, did his work, and cleaned up. I'm happy.

This is exactly how it should have worked out. Glad it did!

 

[Tozzie]

Update: today I drafted a letter to send to the property manager. Had it ready to mail and the landscaper came back with his crew to relocate the irrigation back to their side. When I asked him about the bill he said there wasn't going to be one as the irrigation shouldn't have been on our side. He apologized, asked for access to the yard, did his work, and cleaned up. I'm happy.

It appears the Landscaper went back to the property management company and they knew they had to fix the problem I am glad it all worked out for you the way it should hve