One of those "what would you do" situations...

[Disney Doll]

What a difficult situation!

I assume you don't want to list for a lower price to take into account the messy neighbor's house? Of course, no one would want to do that. But that is what will end up happening.

If you have spoken to the neighbors twice (once via e-mail and once in person) and they have not responded by either doing the work or letting you know why it's not getting done and if they're in violation of city/town and community rules then I would notify those agencies that you now need help in getting the place cleaned up. If it makes you feel better to let your realtor do it, go for it! He/she has a job to do as well and this problem is impeding them also.

Good luck!

I agree with this.

 

[wdwfan16]

Time to call.

 

[*Robin*]

I don't think I could ever just go to someones house and just start throwing things out, I'd be outraged if someone did that to me...so no worries about that...

The craziest thing is that we are a very, very close neighborhood...everyone is friendly, we all watch out for everyone, we all talk on a regular basis...except this family. They aren't evil...I just always assumed they weren't outside kind of people (she used to pride herself on the fact that she didn't do housework, so maybe it's just not in the job description? ) We were friendly years ago, until the kids got into an argument and really, no one really has seen them much since. I only worry about my plants and things because it seems they are purposely not cleaning now because I asked them to, if that makes sense. (I'd be mortified if someone complained about my yard, so I really don't understand that thinking) I'd really hope that they wouldn't be malicious, but at this point, I'm just not sure.

My neighbor saw me talking to them the day I went over and asked what I was doing, when I told him, he said that there were a few neighbors wondering if they could do anything to get it cleaned up...so I know it's not only us. We just aren't that kind of neighborhood...we love that everyone gets along. (I'm really going to miss it, it's wonderful here actually)

Anyway, you guys are the so wonderful...I will try to catch her when she's out next and just ask if I can clean it up. I am sure that they are the owners of the house, so I'm not sure if what you said applies Barkley...I have to re-read that and try to see if we have anything like that around here.

Ugh...I hate problems...I love it when things just go smoothly...
Thank you so much everyone!!!

 

[HM]

I didn't suggest throwing out any of the neighbors things...just cleaning up the yard for them. I would have moved the offending objects to a location on the other side of the house (neatly) and mowed the lawn and pulled any large weeds in any beds they might have.

It sounded like the OP was desperate to have something happen quick...and this was desperate measures to me. She had offered to help the neighbors previously and they had said they'd clean it up but hadn't yet and time was of an essense.

I like the idea of finding out if they are the owners, maybe they've been renting all this time and therefore have no reason to worry about the shape of their yard. I can see this scenario for sure.

This is really an interesting thread. Sorry you are going through this, but it gives the res of us food for thought, you know?

 

[*Robin*]

I didn't suggest throwing out any of the neighbors things...just cleaning up the yard for them. I would have moved the offending objects to a location on the other side of the house (neatly) and mowed the lawn and pulled any large weeds in any beds they might have.

It sounded like the OP was desperate to have something happen quick...and this was desperate measures to me. She had offered to help the neighbors previously and they had said they'd clean it up but hadn't yet and time was of an essense.

I like the idea of finding out if they are the owners, maybe they've been renting all this time and therefore have no reason to worry about the shape of their yard. I can see this scenario for sure.

This is really an interesting thread. Sorry you are going through this, but it gives the res of us food for thought, you know?

I know you weren't suggesting that! I have waited too long...I thought for sure when she said they would deal with it that they would...it's my fault I'm under the gun now...

 

[Normangirls]

Bottom line: neighbors don't care, HOA is useless, city may or may not help eventually.

I think the desired result here is to get it cleaned up, and cleaned up quick. Making the HOA and city do their duty may take too long. If it works at all.

So, march over there. Be friendly, yet firm. Explain how you understand they have not had time to get to the yardwork, everyone these days is so busy, it's hard keeping up with things (be sympathetic and non-accusatory). Because you have a vested interest in how the neighborhood looks, you have called a service and they are coming on Monday to mow, trim, and throw away the trash. What time is best for them? And do they want to leave specific instructions on what is to be kept and what is to thrown away?

While it doesn't address the real problem (messy neighbors, authorities with no gumption), it gets you the result you need. You don't have to worry about snakes or whatever, and using a service may make it easier for them to "accept" the help (again, not because they deserve their feelings being spared, but to get you what you need, now).

 

[sbell111]

Bottom line: neighbors don't care, HOA is useless, city may or may not help eventually. ...

Maybe in your town, but here if we made a call to our HOA or our town's codes office, the neighbor would have a letter delivered to the homeowner by tomorrow.

 

[MaumeeMom]

Partial
Bottom line: neighbors don't care, HOA is useless, city may or may not help eventually.

I'm not sure where in NW OH you are but around here, the Toledo burbs, this would get results and relatively quickly.

So, march over there. Be friendly, yet firm. Explain how you understand they have not had time to get to the yardwork, everyone these days is so busy, it's hard keeping up with things (be sympathetic and non-accusatory). Because you have a vested interest in how the neighborhood looks, you have called a service and they are coming on Monday to mow, trim, and throw away the trash. What time is best for them? And do they want to leave specific instructions on what is to be kept and what is to thrown away?

I really wouldn't recommend this - it could backfire. No matter how bad it is, the OP has no authority whatsoever to do anything on her own. It sounds like these neighbors have some issues over and above being lazy. They sound antisocial and who knows where that is coming from. I've dealt with neighbors with mental issues and they were not immediately obvious, only did they show up when certain buttons were pushed. Hiring a service to clean the neighbor's yard could push a button and send them over the edge. I wouldn't do it.

If the OP wants to try to offer to help again, that's fine but I wouldn't count on them accepting. Follow the proper channels and then you're covered.

Good luck!

 

[Tinijocaro]

Unless you are looking for legal problems, stay out of the neighbors yard and don't touch their stuff. It is called trespassing. It doesn't matter if you like it or not, you can not go in someones yard and throw away their possessions. Their junk is their junk.

Go about it the legal and correct way.

Even if they give you verbal permission, it could backfire on you. Don't do it yourself.

 

[quentina]

What about a privacy wall/ fence on that side of the house to block the yard. Alot of people have them around here. They are not full fences just along the property lines. It would block the view of the weeds and trash.

 

[*Robin*]

Hey everyone, I just wanted to send a huge thank you for everyones advice!

While I could never see myself going and telling someone I was doing something to their yard, and they didn't have a say about it (as tempting as it is, I just don't feel I have that right), my realtor did contact our association (he actually did it without me knowing...though he didn't contact the city because I was adamant that I didn't want them to be charged for or with something (as in if the city comes in and deals with things, they would be charged for the service) because I really don't know what their monetary situation is).

I'm so sad that we couldn't at least part with some kind of decency, but at this point, they obviously could care less, and I really have a feeling (from what I knew of them before) that they're probably in there laughing at all the neighborhood because they didn't clean anything up...

that said, that makes me really, really pity them...

(as I said before, our neighborhood is so wonderful and I'm sure every neighbor would have come over to help had they only asked)

Anyway, as always, you guys are the absolute best, and I appreciate the support when I was really struggling!!


Now, with the house done and ready to go on the market on Monday, I'm off to pack...we're going to DISNEY WORLD next week!