It is definitely NOT an unwritten agreement. It is very clearly and legally explained in the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions which defines the Side Yard Easements and explains the relationships between the Dominent tenement and the Servient tenement. You should have been given a copy when you purchased the villa. Even though your patio may be partially on your neighbor's property according to the lot line, you have control of the landscaping to their house within the guidelines stated regarding walls, attachments, etc. On our copy,, it is page 2 and 3. You definitely do not have to split your landscaping down property lines. This seems to work out for everyone as long as they know the rules, and doesn't seem to be a deterent to owning a patio villa.
That being said, it is always best to be kind to one's neighbor. Good luck.
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