Worlds worst neighbor? part vent, part wwyd

[dislaney]

I'm sorry but with neighbors like that I would move out as fast as I could. Tim sounds like a really scary guy and not someone I would want anywhere near my family! YiKes.

 

[trip]

Sorry you are having such a rough time. Are there any covenants/ home owners association/city regulations that would ban a dirt bike track in the backyard? Just the noise level should be enough to drive a neighborhood crazy!!!!

Tim came over and scolded him that he did not like how he did it and he needed to give him warning so he could shut his central air off. Fine but why shouldn't we get the same courtesy?

I didn't understand why he has to shut off his central air when you mow your grass. I never have heard of having to do this.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Holy novel, Batman!

You can't say you weren't warned.

I probably would have called Child Protective Services a long time ago, for Pedro's sake. If it's possible for you to move, I would. But, I know you guys do have a plan for getting your own place. So, if you think you can pretty much ignore and avoid Psycho Tim, until that time, he might decide you aren't worth his efforts to annoy because you won't play his petty games.

If you feel that this guy's antics are escalating, then I do think you should move ASAP!

I agree that your Brother should try to get a fence built any way possible.

 

[portocall]

This guy sounds disturbing like a neighbor we had when I was growing up and we had our own lot and woods between us. Judging by his irrational behavior, I would be extremely concerned about the safety of your family. Our neighbor like that had some dangerous hobbies and an extreme temper. He was so loud we could often hear him IN our house but would complain when we made enough noise playing outside that he could hear us kids. It didn't end well for him, turns out his lucrative business was robbing stores in the middle of the night (he didn't "work") and when the police caught up with him he started shooting at them. Took the SWAT team a good 12 hours to get him out of the house and to jail where he belonged and is still there (his brother is the n'bor on the other side of us). He was obviously mentally ill. I am not saying that you will have the same outcome but you said enough that brought me right back to the years we endured that idiot and truthfully we would have been a lot safer had we left.

I do think the fence idea is a good one, but it might make him snap and I think I would wait to install it until you are gone.

 

[shortbun]

This is your brother's house and this nut job still lives there? What is wrong with your brother that he continues to allow him to rent from him? What's the deal about shutting the a/c off? Are you on the same central system? There are witnesses to his actions, the police have been notified-especially the up and down in the driveway to scare your 5yo?....and the police have done nada? I find that hard to believe. Guess I'd move. Won't the first time home buyers credit push you forward to get your house now? You have to be in contract by 4/30/10.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would have moved the day I moved in and then I would have beaten up my brother for not telling me about the dirt bikes.

 

[sunnyday123]

I cannot imagine that having a dirt bike track in your back yard is within your rights as a homeowner. Are there any deed restrictions? Honestly, had I been still married ( which when DD was 2 I still was ) and this nut case did what he did with the screeching tires while my DD was walking in front of his house, my ex-husband would have beat the life out of this man, so there would be no problem.

 

[ChillyWilleys]

Thank you all for the replys and the time it took to read. So the fence idea just isn't going to happen. It would really get him going even if we did it and most of the issues we have would not be stopped by a fence. Since it is a duplex we see each other out front and there is wall banging and drum playing on the inside. The people over on the other side who are in a different duplex actually put up a fence to protect their daughter from the bikes. Tim did not like that at all and said "what if one of my boys hits it, Tommy just wiped out in those bushes last week" other neighbor said "thats my point, thats where my kid plays." Fence builders told other neighbor "I see why your putting up the fence" Tim told them to make sure they didn't get any dirt on his yard. His whole yard is dirt!

Yes the police have been notified numerus times of the dirt bikes by other neighbors of small children trying to sleep. They say if its before dark they can't do anything. I think they just don't want to deal. My big regret was underestimating how crazy he is and not starting with police reports immediately but the truck incident was reported. They said they couldn't do anything but if we wanted could take him to civil court, which really wouldn't do anything. We are going to report the breaking of the beer bottle but DH hasn't gone yet. Even the incident across the street they didn't seem to care thats why he is taking him to civil court.

Air conditioning thing I think is simply a control issue. Can't think of anything else

Dbrother did live here for about 3 years prior to us. He never had problems because he was 30 with no family with him, didn't use the yard and basically Tim just did what he wanted and DB was fine with that. Also Tim sold that side to DB. To be clear at this time DB owns my half, Tim owns his half. So I think Tim considered him his tenant and didn't have a problem since he chose DB not us.

Most of the stuff this guy does I don't even mention because it just borders on legal. Nothing you can really do but just know he's a jerk. Last snow storm we had prior to the beer bottle incident. DH was shoveling end of driveway. Tim goes past our driveway with his plow to plow other neighbor. He goes to turn the spitter, but stops and sprays DH with it. Jerk! but illegal no, and if the cops don't care about the other stuff they certainly won't about that. Our dream is that DB rents to a cop after we leave.

 

[Carly_Roach]

If you're living there rent-free, I'd say to suck it up and stick it out until you can get your own home. Stay away from Tim, keep your mouth as under control as you possibly can and keep the noise level down. Save like a maniac.

If you're paying rent there then find another domicile with the same rent (or even slightly more). Pronto. Obviously that's a place where only certain type of people would feel comfortable living. A normal family with toddlers and small children isn't that kind of people.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

).
Tim came over and scolded him that he did not like how he did it and he needed to give him warning so he could shut his central air off. Fine but why shouldn't we get the same courtesy? but we say OK and let it go.

Still reading your post--but this statement has me confused...

I am SEVERELY allergic to grass--so much so that when it is being cut, I'll hold my breath. (St. Augustine grass around here is not a problem for me until the blades are cut.)

I have never cut off my central a/c when our yard is being cut. I do have to keep the windows closed.

So I'm unclear of why they were complaining.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Do you own a video camera? I would begin video taping any issues adn then look diligently at laws, HOA rules, CPS for reporting--etc.

If they are out in the open with their behavior, you should not be breaking any laws catching him in action.

I would find a way to move pronto.

And we are considering townhomes in our search and this scares teh bejeezus out of me.

 

[phorsenuf]

Those must be some big sized yards if he can run dirt bikes there. Every TH I've seem have small yards.

I'm picturing a duplex with 2 doors out back leading to one shared back yard, which Tim has turned into a track. Is that right? So he took over your half too?

Are there covenants? I'd pull the deed and see what it says.

 

[ChillyWilleys]

Thanks again. As far as the central air. The only reason I can think of is the dust. There's a lot of it around due to his track. Just ask to see any of the neighborhoods screens on the windows. I really don't care to know when he's mowing I'm just stating that if he thinks thats the right thing to do then he should be doing it too.
The reasons we have for trying to suck it up is that we are 1 year away from home buying. DH is union and up for contract next April. We don't want to buy before then because we don't want to lose the house should he not make contract. Our down payment money would become our living account. However we will move anyway if it comes to this. DD is in school already. We don't want to upheave her twice in just over a year. And if we move it would most likely have to be an apartment. We never want to share walls with anyone ever again.

 

[Gabes_mommy]

I would move for sure. You don't own the house, so moving shouldn't be too difficult. I'm sure it's a bummer for your brother, but your and your family's safety has to come first.

 

[tmq2766]

That guy is a freaking nut ball.

 

[HM]

My first question is whether a dirt bike track is actually allowed in your neighborhood. You should check to see if he's legal on that.

I'd also start looking for another place to live. You have put up with a lot.

I feel sorry for your brother when it comes time to sell his half of the house. He's going to have a hard time finding a buyer.

 

[ryanshana]

Thank you all for the replys and the time it took to read. So the fence idea just isn't going to happen. It would really get him going even if we did it and most of the issues we have would not be stopped by a fence. Since it is a duplex we see each other out front and there is wall banging and drum playing on the inside. The people over on the other side who are in a different duplex actually put up a fence to protect their daughter from the bikes. Tim did not like that at all and said "what if one of my boys hits it, Tommy just wiped out in those bushes last week" other neighbor said "thats my point, thats where my kid plays." Fence builders told other neighbor "I see why your putting up the fence" Tim told them to make sure they didn't get any dirt on his yard. His whole yard is dirt!

I'm lacking the understanding as to why you/other neighbors are afraid of him/letting him get away w/ this stuff Who give a flying you know what if "tim did not like that at all" He doesn't seem to care about you. Why should you and your neighbors care about him? I would continue to call the police on EVERY incident. Eventually there might be something that he can't do and get into trouble for it, or maybe they will go out there w/ the the thought that you will stop calling , sucky for you and for the cops but if they aren't doing anything and they are clearly disturbing the peace so be it. Maybe speak to a supervisor or something. If it's a duplex/townhouse there is probably a HOA, complain to them. Complain to everyone and anyone. Get anyone and everyone that is ticked at this dude to complain. If there are rules about fences I can't believe there isn't something about dirt track is allowed. There are also laws about where you can ride a dirt bike are you sure he isn't violating any of these?

Also someone above said to video tape....b4 you do that make sure that is legal in some states you can't videotape someone w/o their permission.

 

[wenrob]

Thank you all for the replys and the time it took to read. So the fence idea just isn't going to happen. It would really get him going even if we did it and most of the issues we have would not be stopped by a fence. Since it is a duplex we see each other out front and there is wall banging and drum playing on the inside. The people over on the other side who are in a different duplex actually put up a fence to protect their daughter from the bikes. Tim did not like that at all and said "what if one of my boys hits it, Tommy just wiped out in those bushes last week" other neighbor said "thats my point, thats where my kid plays." Fence builders told other neighbor "I see why your putting up the fence" Tim told them to make sure they didn't get any dirt on his yard. His whole yard is dirt!

Yes the police have been notified numerus times of the dirt bikes by other neighbors of small children trying to sleep. They say if its before dark they can't do anything. I think they just don't want to deal. My big regret was underestimating how crazy he is and not starting with police reports immediately but the truck incident was reported. They said they couldn't do anything but if we wanted could take him to civil court, which really wouldn't do anything. We are going to report the breaking of the beer bottle but DH hasn't gone yet. Even the incident across the street they didn't seem to care thats why he is taking him to civil court.

Air conditioning thing I think is simply a control issue. Can't think of anything else

Dbrother did live here for about 3 years prior to us. He never had problems because he was 30 with no family with him, didn't use the yard and basically Tim just did what he wanted and DB was fine with that. Also Tim sold that side to DB. To be clear at this time DB owns my half, Tim owns his half. So I think Tim considered him his tenant and didn't have a problem since he chose DB not us.

Most of the stuff this guy does I don't even mention because it just borders on legal. Nothing you can really do but just know he's a jerk. Last snow storm we had prior to the beer bottle incident. DH was shoveling end of driveway. Tim goes past our driveway with his plow to plow other neighbor. He goes to turn the spitter, but stops and sprays DH with it. Jerk! but illegal no, and if the cops don't care about the other stuff they certainly won't about that. Our dream is that DB rents to a cop after we leave.

No wonder this guy does whatever he wants. He's a bully and you all let him bully you. Maybe if the neighborhood rallied he'd be set straight. Your DD plays in that backyard, one of those bikes could easily go astray and kill her, have you thought about that? I cannot fathom how it would be legal inside of city limits anywhere to have a dirt bike track in the backyard. If you don't want to move DD from her school rent somewhere in her district or simply commute until the school year is over. Your neighbor is a whack job, your child has been threatened, MOVE.

 

[OceanAnnie]

How fast can you pack

Yep. He's a proven looney tune that doesn't play by the rules, and it's all about him. Bad combination. You don't want to tangle anymore with the likes of him. You could look for another place with the same payment (or within the same range). Even if it would be more, it would be worth it.

He's crossed so many lines and doesn't care. It's only a matter of time until the issues get bigger. You can't reason with looney. I'd go.

 

[monkeybug]

I don't get how you can legally have a dirt bike track in a subdivision. That seems extremely dangerous, especially if there is no fence to keep the bikes from going off track and hurting someone in a nearby yard. If I had to hazard a guess, I'm guessing unless you live out in the sticks on some kind of acreage, it's not legal.