Full-time residents asked to maintain neighbors property

[Rite2jamie]

Does anyone else have the issue with neighbors in your community who live in Canada or other parts of the country during the summer asking you to help maintain the property while they are away just because you live her full-time?

[Toymeister]

Please add clarity. 'Maintain' like mow grass trim shrubs or walk around the house every month?

[fdpaq0580]

Does anyone else have the issue with neighbors in your community who live in Canada or other parts of the country during the summer asking you to help maintain the property while they are away just because you live her full-time?

NEVER heard of of this issue. I would not want the responsibility of maintaining another's property. One thing to agree to water a few potted plants that could be brought to your home for a couple of weeks or to be willing to give them a call or text if you notice a problem. Quite another to be asked to do more than that and take on possible liability. There are professionals who are set up to do this. Let snowbird neighbors get professional property managers to do it. Being held hostage by having to maintain their property when you might decide you wanted to travel or need to go visit family who may need you is not reasonable imo.
Just say "NO".
Just curious to what prompted this question in the first place?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

We don't "maintain" our neighbor's property exactly - but when they're out of town for a few weeks we're happy to go in and switch the lights every day so it looks like someone's still there, water a plant if it needs watering, bring in the mail for them, flush a toilet every week, little stuff like that. I'm grateful they'd do the same for us.

[retiredguy123]

Does anyone else have the issue with neighbors in your community who live in Canada or other parts of the country during the summer asking you to help maintain the property while they are away just because you live her full-time?
I don't understand how this could possibly be an "issue". If you don't want to do it, then just say no.

[fdpaq0580]

We don't "maintain" our neighbor's property exactly - but when they're out of town for a few weeks we're happy to go in and switch the lights every day so it looks like someone's still there, water a plant if it needs watering, bring in the mail for them, flush a toilet every week, little stuff like that. I'm grateful they'd do the same for us.

We need clarification. Because OP mentioned "that live in Canada or other parts of the country during the summer", I believe OP is referring to "snowbirds" that are spending up to half or more of the year at their other/real home. I have been asked to "home watch" my brother's house for a couple of weeks while they were on a cruise. No problem. But I would find it presumptuous of a snowbird neighbor to be asked to be responsible for their home maintenance for months at a time while they go back home. What happens if you need to go to help family, have to go to hospital or even think you might decide you would like to travel. Length of time and what is of the caretaker needs to be clarified by OP.

[Stu from NYC]

Need to know more about this in order to tell you how I would feel.

We did have some unusually long vacations coming up until the virus told us not to go so might have done something reciprocal with a neighbor

[Bjeanj]

No, but I think that’s just asking too much. As nice as your neighbors might be, they need to make their own arrangements.

[Topspinmo]

Does anyone else have the issue with neighbors in your community who live in Canada or other parts of the country during the summer asking you to help maintain the property while they are away just because you live her full-time?


no. Or You could say sure as long as you maintain my property while you’re here ( I sure they say no, I’m on vacation) Some people have no boundaries. Sound like the kind of friends that friends as long as you Are taken advantage of at there beck and call.

[CFrance]

No clarification from the OP...

[redwitch]

One big reason to say no is that if something happens to your neighbor’s/friend’s/relative’s property, you could be held liable by whomever asked and/or their insurance company. As has been said, checking for mail, noticing if a sprinkler is broken, etc. for a week or two is one thing but to do so for 30 days or more is too much risk.

[BobnBev]

A Big Fat No

[Velvet]

I’d be uncomfortable with such a request, but up north I have one neighbor who wouldn’t hesitate to ask a request like that, or borrow stuff without asking etc. My other neighbor is the opposite.

[lamay1951]

That is not your responsibility. they can hire someone to do that

[Cheapbas]

If you can afford 2 homes you can afford a home watcher for $20/mo.

But for me, i naturally keep an eye on my neighbors places.

My neighbor back home plowed my driveway a few times and mowed the lawn once. I bought him a nice gift in return. His comment was “ that’s what neighbors do “

If you are asked and you do it, see if they do something nice for you when they return. If not, you’ve Been taken advantage of

[Rwirish]

Why would this be an issue? If asked and you don’t want to do something just say no.

Florida’s Friendliest Home Town

[llmcdaniel]

Thank God for our dear neighbors. We had one text us that a sprinkler head was broken and water was running down the street. Another took pictures of our yard out of control with weeds and sent them to us. In both cases, we were paying Massey almost $200/month for lawn care, weed spraying, shrub trimming, bug spraying. Needless to say, they admitted to accidentally ruining the sprinkler head and fixed it. As for the weed issue, at first they said they had been spraying but changed their tune when we sent pics. I’m very thankful our neighbors letting us know what was not getting done.

[coffeebean]

We don't "maintain" our neighbor's property exactly - but when they're out of town for a few weeks we're happy to go in and switch the lights every day so it looks like someone's still there, water a plant if it needs watering, bring in the mail for them, flush a toilet every week, little stuff like that. I'm grateful they'd do the same for us.

I would prefer a neighbor hire a company to do those maintenance functions. When hubby and I were seasonal, we never asked a neighbor to take of these things. We hired a company to maintain and check our home. The company was insured in case there was any sort of problem.

What if a neighbor forgot to turn off the main water and there was a leak in the water line of the fridge which wasn't discovered for a week or so? That happened to a neighbor of ours in NJ after they sold their home and the new owners weren't going to move in right away. In one week that water made so much damage, the floor nearly caved in. It was a two story home. It can happen.

I would not want to be responsible to check anyone's home in their absence. There is too much that can go wrong. Another one......the A/C malfunctions and mold grows in the home. Who is responsible for that? The home owner or the person responsible for "watching" the home?

[rjn5656]

My neighbor only uses his house about 4 weeks a year. When he asks about mtc, I usually give him names he can call. I do have a key and occasionally go in and check his ac.

[coffeebean]

Thank God for our dear neighbors. We had one text us that a sprinkler head was broken and water was running down the street. Another took pictures of our yard out of control with weeds and sent them to us. In both cases, we were paying Massey almost $200/month for lawn care, weed spraying, shrub trimming, bug spraying. Needless to say, they admitted to accidentally ruining the sprinkler head and fixed it. As for the weed issue, at first they said they had been spraying but changed their tune when we sent pics. I’m very thankful our neighbors letting us know what was not getting done.

Those things, I would expect a neighbor to do and I would do in return. It doesn't take much to take a photo and send to the person who is not there to see that their property is not being maintained by a landscape company. The catch is that the neighbor was not RESPONSIBLE for noticing these things.

Once, when we were seasonal, our Crepe Myrtle trees were bursting with blooms. My neighbor sent us photos just so we could see how pretty the trees were. That was a nice gesture but I surely wasn't expecting those photos.

[coffeebean]

My neighbor only uses his house about 4 weeks a year. When he asks about mtc, I usually give him names he can call. I do have a key and occasionally go in and check his ac.

I would not set one foot in that home unless there was water running down the street from inside the home. (That happened to another neighbor on my NJ street. The water line to the washing machine burst which caused a flood while she was at work).

Anyone who is not in their home for 11 months a year should have a property management company and let that company be responsible for checking and maintaining it.

What is mtc?

[greenflash245]

don't do it. you are taking on more legal responsibility than you can imagine, by taking care of surplice while we are gone. ask them to hire appropriate service people plus home watch. if in doubt, ask a lawyer about your involvement

[GaryKoca]

I think it is a terrible idea, and very selfish on the part of your neighbor unless they have a monetary arrangement worked out. We are in The Villages roughly half time, and I have a guy whose business is mowing lawns, cut the grass and trim the bushes when necessary. I have a housewatch person look over the house periodically, and I have Massey do the fertilization and spraying when necessary.

[greenflash245]

hire home watch. by accepting key, you place their property in your care, custody and control. thereby becoming liable if some bad ju ju happens

[Anne17]

I have often done this for neighbors and have absolutely no problem in doing so. ; that's the meaning of neighbor in my opinion.

[Rosebud1949]

The Villages have or "had" an Empty Nest Process. Where for so many $$$ a day they would check your property in your absence. Please say no, you would be held liable for something if there were problems.

[raney3099]

Definitely not. The house next door to me is a rental, so what I do is when I see the trees or shrubs need trimming and maintenance, I text him to remind him and the person who does mine will do his when they come. That’s the extent of that. I’m not down here to work for others. Minor issues of course I’ll just let him know . If you want more than that, hire someone. That’s definitely a neighbor I would stay away from. Think it’s nervy you ask.

[toeser]

Does anyone else have the issue with neighbors in your community who live in Canada or other parts of the country during the summer asking you to help maintain the property while they are away just because you live her full-time?

We are people who leave for several months each summer. We pay our neighbors to take of some things while we are gone.

[Strongel]

Does anyone else have the issue with neighbors in your community who live in Canada or other parts of the country during the summer asking you to help maintain the property while they are away just because you live her full-time?

This is normal good neighbour thing in Canada especially if you live away from the city. Don’t be offended. A polite no will suffice and you will get a polite okay back.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

If it was a snowbird, I'd say no to actual maintenance, and give him the number of some local companies that offer the service for a fee. I would STILL keep an eye on the place, from the distance. And let him know if anything weird happened. Like if their hot water heater blows up, or the lawn guy mows over the sprinkler head and breaks it, or if I see people I don't recognize wandering around inside his house at 10PM.

And yes if that hot water heater blew up, you can bet your bippie I would be out there turning the valve off so that they don't use up thousands of gallons of water every day, ruining their *and my* property line by flooding it. I wouldn't refuse to do that just because they "have a guy" local who gets paid for it.

I'd do it, and then call "the guy" and have them fix the problem.

[Stu from NYC]

Would hope the poster will come back with more details.

[bragones]

I have no problem keeping an eye out for my snowbird neighbor's home. Not a big deal to walk through every once in awhile and give the house a quick check. It saves them $$ and they are always quick to reciprocate with anything we need. They by no means would hold me liable for issues or mandate a schedule for me to check on the house. I do not do any maintenance but don't mind taking care of something obvious and easy. It's the way life used to be growing up as a child and in my opinion, the way it should be. Neighbors, becoming friends and helping each other out.

[MandoMan]

When I bought my home in The Villages, I called my next door neighbor and asked her for the names of the businesses who mow her lawn, clean her pool, spray for weeds or bugs, prune the shrubs and trees, etc., then arranged with all those companies to take care of mine on the same day they do hers. That way, our adjoining lawns always are the same length. Because I want to be a good neighbor, I’ve asked her to let me know if any of those people or companies fall short. I certainly would never ask her to water anything or pull weeds or prune a hedge.

[CTFORSBERG]

Absolutely not plus, there are a few services (and individuals) who will do that for them for a reduced monthly rate. You’ve probably just been extra nice to them so they are taking advantage. You are not obligated in any shape or form. Water a plant now and then or just keep an eye on the property out of courtesy, of course but that’s as far as it goes. God Bless and good luck!

[sterlingcnslts]

I have friends/neighbors that I keep an eye on their home while they are up north for the summer, but I do not take care of it. They have lawn and garden people to care for it but I call them if something is wrong (grass not being cut, sprinkler leak, etc) and they get it taken care of. Works for us!!!!

[dennisgavin]

not an issue. Friends help out friends. Snowbirds hire someone. Looks like someone is just stirring the pot.

[Edsmith913]

If they pay if you have to do work no problem. If they need a set of eyes so they can call the people to do the work ok. After all you want the place next to you to look good so it doesn't bring the value of your home down.

[coffeebean]

I have often done this for neighbors and have absolutely no problem in doing so. ; that's the meaning of neighbor in my opinion.

Nope. Don't agree. That is the meaning of something else but I won't use that word here.

[coffeebean]

We are people who leave for several months each summer. We pay our neighbors to take of some things while we are gone.

Do your neighbors have a license and insurance if something goes wrong in your home? Property management companies do.

[coffeebean]

I have no problem keeping an eye out for my snowbird neighbor's home. Not a big deal to walk through every once in awhile and give the house a quick check. It saves them $$ and they are always quick to reciprocate with anything we need. They by no means would hold me liable for issues or mandate a schedule for me to check on the house. I do not do any maintenance but don't mind taking care of something obvious and easy. It's the way life used to be growing up as a child and in my opinion, the way it should be. Neighbors, becoming friends and helping each other out.

Three words for you........small claims court.

[kimgarwel12@gmail.com]

I always think it's a good idea to keep an eye on what goes on, who comes and goes in your neighborhood just as a general rule. Home Watch can't be there all the time. If you see a strange car parking, etc., or people lurking about, it doesn't hurt to know they might not be potential buyers, etc. As far as "maintaining" a home, no. Like others have said, if you can afford 2 homes, you can afford to pay someone to take a more active role in "maintaining" your home. Keeping an eye on things from afar is just good housekeeping. Clearly, if you notice water running out of the house or from the garage, etc, it warrants an immediate call to someone. We've exchanged phone #s with our neighbors who are snowbirds for just that reason. That's about the extent of "maintaining" that I wish to do. We're all in a retired situation and none of us, for the most part, care to "maintain" a home any longer. That's why we hire a lawn service, etc. I don't have a problem watering house plants for someone every 10 days or so. If they want to provide a key, I'll generally check things out, flush toilets, etc. Again, just good housekeeping and I would expect the like in return.

[bilcon]

Are you his Lackey? What Ba--s some people have. I'll bet he/she would probably complain about your maintenance when they return. Don't even think of it. If he means will you keep an eye on it, that's ok. I don't want anyone's key to their home and I don't give anyone my key. Just the way I am. If there is a problem when I am away, I have a relative who knows how to get into my home. There are a lot of great people in TV, but there are also an equal number of those who thrive on gossip.

[Bogie Shooter]

Where did OP go?

[Number 10 GI]

The neighbors next door to us are snowbirds and we have become good friends. I have a key to their house and do a monthly walk through checking for anything amiss. I turn on the water at the valve in the garage and flush toilets and run water in the drains when I walk through. He never asked but I volunteered to watch it for them. They would do the same for us so I don't mind. It is a minimal effort for me to do those few things. He has a lawn service to take care of the mowing, fertilization and weed control. Now if he had asked me to take care of the lawn myself I would have given him the phone number for the company that does ours. That would be asking for too much. The house across from us belongs to snowbirds also and we keep an eye on it for them but have no key. His brother lives in TV full time and we have his phone number if we see anything strange going on. He checks the house also. It's part of being a good neighbor.

[New Englander]

At my previous Villages home the couple next door leave for the entire summer and wanted me to go in their house once a week and make sure all is well check the outside and let them know.

I told them no. That is what home watch companies do. This is the same couple that wanted to "borrow" my lawn mower to cut their grass on a regular basis because they didn't want to buy a mower or hire a landscaper.

[JoMar]

We have several neighbors that provide dog walking, cat watching, home watch services, sprinkler service, mowing and trimming for a price. Unless there is a quid pro quo arrangement we expect to pay for any services, neighbor or friend.

[Shamp]

If this is an 'issue' just say no. I don't understand the issue. You can say yes, you can say no you can suggest they hire a home management business who will come in weekly to check the inside and outside.

[cmeinel@verizon.net]

Uh..that would be a no. You need to give them the name of a landscaper. They know everyone in the villages has landscapers they are taking advantage of you. Tell them a big fat NO

[TomPerrett]

They can have a lawn service take of their property and bill them at home.
The Villages has a program for tending snow bird properties.
I don’t mind keeping an eye on my next door snow bird but he never ask me to do any maintenance work. I don’t do my own mowing and trimming.

[TomPerrett]

They can have a lawn service take of their property and bill them at home.
The Villages has a program for tending snow bird properties.
I don’t mind keeping an eye on my next door snow bird but he never ask me to do any maintenance work. I don’t do my own mowing and trimming.

[Bogie Shooter]

OP must be a troll?

[DonnaNi4os]

I have a lovely neighbor who is a snowbird. I keep an eye on her house which is directly across the street from me. It is a smart and kind thing to do. Her next door neighbor does keep an eye on her plants and weeds for which she is compensated. However, if I have a neighbor who is a full-time resident and is away on vacation, I do keep an eye on her house, including watering plants. We watch out for each other, It’s the neighborly thing to do in the “world’s friendliest town”.

[coffeebean]

At my previous Villages home the couple next door leave for the entire summer and wanted me to go in their house once a week and make sure all is well check the outside and let them know.

I told them no. That is what home watch companies do. This is the same couple that wanted to "borrow" my lawn mower to cut their grass on a regular basis because they didn't want to buy a mower or hire a landscaper.

Not very nice neighbors. Hope they hire someone to cut the lawn when they are away for the summer.

[Spike380]

It's not a "have to" as sometimes you get stuck doing more than you want, plus you might be liable if happens (ie a/c breaks, toilets). The Villages has a program where they walk around the house and check stuff; their lawn services would take care of the yard. What else do they want?

[coffeebean]

I have a lovely neighbor who is a snowbird. I keep an eye on her house which is directly across the street from me. It is a smart and kind thing to do. Her next door neighbor does keep an eye on her plants and weeds for which she is compensated. However, if I have a neighbor who is a full-time resident and is away on vacation, I do keep an eye on her house, including watering plants. We watch out for each other, It’s the neighborly thing to do in the “world’s friendliest town”.

It may be kind but certainly NOT smart.

[Velvet]

Yep...I think OP... not a nice question.

[Curtisbwp]

No, but my snowbird neighbor does not have someone trim his bushes. I pay my lawn man to trim his bushes because they but up to my bushes.



Does anyone else have the issue with neighbors in your community who live in Canada or other parts of the country during the summer asking you to help maintain the property while they are away just because you live her full-time?

[Scorpyo]

99+% of the responses were no. I agree. I believe in self-sufficiency. We have a villa which we come down to, from GA as frequently as possible. My wife is a teacher and cannot retire yet. She has to work till she's 60 - in 4 years. I do come down somewhat frequently. So, what did I do. I replaced my grass with stone. Nice pretty stone. I had a service allegedly taking care of the grass. They weren't. We have our lights on timers. My neighbors on both sides and across from us know when we're not there - no car in the driveway. So if they happen to see someone or something they would text me. They did so when our sign fell off the outdoor light. I appreciated that. But I would never ask them to do anything specific. I did have a friend come over once to check that my dehumidifier was functioning. I shut off the alarm and opened the garage door with my cell phone. Isn't technology wonderful! But that was a close friend for whom I've done many things. Lastly I had Community Watch check on my place - about $225/year. My neighbors were wondering why they kept stopping at our house. See, they were paying attention. So there are options other than asking others. Someone should tell that to my neighbor in GA!

[valuemkt]

Kind of simple.. What did you say to your kids when they made an unreasonable request ? Well I guess you can have / do it ??

OR, There's NO, H*LL NO, and NFW !!! Your choice

[New Englander]

Not very nice neighbors. Hope they hire someone to cut the lawn when they are away for the summer.

They hired some guy to mow it once a month. They never hired anyone to check on their house the entire summer.

They kept on trying to borrow things from me like the big paper yard waste bags they always forgot to buy.

A very thrifty couple....

[New Englander]

it's not a "have to" as sometimes you get stuck doing more than you want, plus you might be liable if happens (ie a/c breaks, toilets). The villages has a program where they walk around the house and check stuff; their lawn services would take care of the yard. what else do they want?


free

[EdFNJ]

Looks like a "hit n' run" OP post. 59 replies and an OP no show. Someone must hire people to post troll threads to get some clicks going because things are getting slow now that Covid is all gone never to be seen again and everything is back to normal and the birds are heading back home ! :1rotfl:

[Topspinmo]

Thank God for our dear neighbors. We had one text us that a sprinkler head was broken and water was running down the street. Another took pictures of our yard out of control with weeds and sent them to us. In both cases, we were paying Massey almost $200/month for lawn care, weed spraying, shrub trimming, bug spraying. Needless to say, they admitted to accidentally ruining the sprinkler head and fixed it. As for the weed issue, at first they said they had been spraying but changed their tune when we sent pics. I’m very thankful our neighbors letting us know what was not getting done.

That’s different than asking neighbors to do what Massey doing.

[Topspinmo]

Looks like a "hit n' run" OP post. 59 replies and an OP no show. Someone must hire people to post troll threads to get some clicks going because things are getting slow now that Covid is all gone never to be seen again and everything is back to normal and the birds are heading back home ! :1rotfl:


What else do we have to do, must post the OP don’t come back anyway? :)

[Topspinmo]

I have often done this for neighbors and have absolutely no problem in doing so. ; that's the meaning of neighbor in my opinion.

Yep, just want I want to be doing in summer heat, doing double yard work for some penny pincher.

[yankygrl]

Does anyone else have the issue with neighbors in your community who live in Canada or other parts of the country during the summer asking you to help maintain the property while they are away just because you live her full-time?
Without reading all 60+ replies, my thoughts - if you have a neighbor you are “close” to, friendly with, it takes nothing to keep an eye out for them. Make sure the lawn/bushes are being maintained, pest control is done by company they hired and there is generally no issues. DO THE WORK no way UNLESS they are paying you. Also there are programs available that will check the property, some are free others cost something.

[SuzanneWight]

We have wonderful neighbors who offered to water my beloved jade plant, and to let us know if something strange was going on at our home. Also checking once in awhile that the air conditioning is working okay. We appreciate them so much, but would never ask them to “maintain” anything.

[coffeebean]

No, but my snowbird neighbor does not have someone trim his bushes. I pay my lawn man to trim his bushes because they but up to my bushes.

Seriously? Is you neighbor aware of this? Somehow, this does not seem right to me. Your snowbird neighbor should be paying for his own shrubs to be trimmed. If not, make a formal complaint about his shrubs growing onto your property. I would not be paying for my neighbor's shrubs to be trimmed.

When we were seasonal, we paid for lawn maintenance, pest control, lawn and shrubs to be fertilized and shrub trimming. Luckily we had very reliable companies who did what they were paid to do. I would expect any homeowner to do the same to maintain their home when they are away.

[coffeebean]

They hired some guy to mow it once a month. They never hired anyone to check on their house the entire summer.

They kept on trying to borrow things from me like the big paper yard waste bags they always forgot to buy.

A very thrifty couple....

If they treated me that way, I would put a stop to them even talking to me. I would not want to deal with them.

[coffeebean]

Looks like a "hit n' run" OP post. 59 replies and an OP no show. Someone must hire people to post troll threads to get some clicks going because things are getting slow now that Covid is all gone never to be seen again and everything is back to normal and the birds are heading back home ! :1rotfl:

I was going to let that slide but the more I thought about it, I had to comment........

That is tongue in cheek, right?

[The Great Fumar]

I hired Massey and the job was lousy...….then I realized I had hired Raymond Massey by mistake and things have been much better sense …..He didn't do bad though for a push lawn mower at his age,,,,,,,

[graciegirl]

I hired Massey and the job was lousy...….then I realized I had hired Raymond Massey by mistake and things have been much better sense …..He didn't do bad though for a push lawn mower at his age,,,,,,,

Hey Bud!! Long time no see!!! Glad to hear your puns once again. I would hug you 'cept for this Covid-19. Virtual to YOU..xoxoxoxo

[Bogie Shooter]

I hired Massey and the job was lousy...….then I realized I had hired Raymond Massey by mistake and things have been much better sense …..He didn't do bad though for a push lawn mower at his age,,,,,,,

Great to see you back posting....three years is a long time.
TOTV needs a lift from the mire it has sunk into.......

[brantnerlg@gmail.com]

I have neighbors that take care of 2 snow birds property but for a price.

[davem4616]

Does anyone else have the issue with neighbors in your community who live in Canada or other parts of the country during the summer asking you to help maintain the property while they are away just because you live her full-time?



We have a Canadian snowbird living on our street too...same behavior

However it's only a problem if you say yes....

The word "No" can be a complete sentence

[EdFNJ]

I was going to let that slide but the more I thought about it, I had to comment........

That is tongue in cheek, right? Who me? Never. The little guy ROTFL laughing should have been a clue! :D