Trespassers
 

lots off opinions here.

I think this partially reflects on the neighbor and his attitude about access to his yard for work to be performed.

Most contractors will repair any damage.....have you talked to your neighbor or the contractor?

Contact should be made and everything should be returned to how it was found. I know someone putting in a pool or major landscaping may need to cross property but it should be all approved before hand.

We are having that happen right now. The neighbor and the contractor both asked permission and we are very sure that they will restore all back to normal. Knowing them, I know they are very concerned that things are a little torn up looking. We are very lucky to have such nice folks living next to us and we hope they enjoy their new pool. Grass grows back.

Gracie
Ask the neighbor for a free pool pass.

I understand your sense of being taken for granted....I've felt that way too at times with various contractors here in the villages doing work on my street

Ya just have to relax a little and politely speak up

the fellow that cuts the grass for the house next to us constantly parks his truck/trailer in such a way that when he opens the trailer gate it extends half way across the front of my driveway and he was leaving it down

I finally went out to the kid (and he is a young man) and asked him if he would close the gate to his trailer once he pulls his mower out, incase I needed to back out of my garage.

The kid was fine with that and did that. He came again today while I was out, when I returned, the tail gate was down, halfway across my driveway

If I cut grass all day in the hot sun, I'd most likely be constantly on 'auto pilot' too....
not a lot you can do about it...they are what they are

Count yourself lucky to have neighbors who understand their responsibility and take care of it.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Life is short.

Park behind his trailer gate, he might ‘get it’ then...

I probably would have stopped it , not driving on my lawn without my permission from me. Neighbor should have asked and also the contractor.

Yes. Have you talked to them? Have you said anything at all? I have dealt with contractors a couple of times and they have always stopped at my door n let me know whats going on. Never have they left behind damage. You say theyre rude. Well, you may find they arent rude when you go talk to them. Dont you know your neighbor well enough to talk to them too? Go talk directly to them instead of contacting someone at the Villages who arent going to help you anyway

I take my grass seriously and would be upset if the neighbor took my grass for granted or didn’t have presence of mind to talk to me first.

You are correct. People are rude and self centered. They don't ask they just cut across your property without a care for your feelings. I am sure they would not like it if you did the same to theirs.

Watered and fertilized friendships will grow back too.

"Seems like people are just rude." "Seems like" is what you have when you don't talk to people and find out what they are really like.

I agree with the others. Rather than talking to us, you should be talking to them. But calm down first. The sky remains in place.

thank you for the post-communication works wonders

:bigbow:

The OP is not looking for advice.

On the other hand one should be thankful that their neighbor is maintaining and/or improving their property.

Yet another of life's choices to make. Re: the villages, I would call the office and they will direct you on who to speak to. They are both knowledgeable and helpful.

Perhaps, depending on who or what your neighbors are it would be wise to not allow yourself to do it when angry but to talk to them. It is possible they are not aware. Or more likely they will have an out and claim they were not aware. Perhaps, the job is not finished-ie paid for-and the contractor can and will be forced to correct the damage.

As to don't cross my property line, I do not know what the law is BUT, when sooner or later my air conditioner compressor needs to be replaced, I have no idea how it could be done without running equipment onto my neighbor's property. Same would be true for
painting etc etc etc.

Small claims court. Same point of view. Do you wish to choose to create a hostile relationship with a neighbor. I have used small claims court twice in the past. It was in another state. Someone informed me and I confirmed it. In Florida, the court charges you a significant percentage of anything you might win. Small claims, I collected both times. Wining is only one part of the issue. Collecting on the amount you have won is another issue and a high percentage of amounts won are not collected.

I have the same problem. I did contact the neighbor and she was rude and actually threatened me---I should have reported that to the police but I thought we could amicably solve the problem---I thought wrong. She tells workers that they can come onto my property because there is an easement. NOT TRUE. There are easements on our properties but they only protect utility companies and the developer. They don't apply to lawn cutters, roofers etc. There are legal measures that you can enforce. If you call the local sheriff they will explain it and they are nice. Good luck. If we don't stop these people from doing what they want to do The Villages will become a not so nice place to live.

Personal experience as far as the Villages aren't going to help you. Years ago our neighbor hired a landscaper. They intruded onto our property with a cement construction. Our neighbor was very nice agreed to have the people move it.

The landscaper came over to swear at me. Stuff like he is the expert etc. I told him
I will check with the villages. The villages quickly came over. Looked and confirmed it was on my property. The landscaper had not filed a REQUIRED PLAN. The villagers told my neighbor and the contractor that he would not be paid till he filed a plan and corrected the issues. I of course took pictures. It was a bit of a surprise that the work was done carefully and they did not damage my property out of spite. My neighbor later told me that the guy he hired was arrested shorty after. The Villages did get involved and the person they sent was very professional at not escalating the issue.

I have the same problem. I did contact the neighbor and she was rude and actually threatened me---I should have reported that to the police but I thought we could amicably solve the problem---I thought wrong. She tells workers that they can come onto my property because there is an easement. NOT TRUE. There are easements on our properties but they only protect utility companies and the developer. They don't apply to lawn cutters, roofers etc. There are legal measures that you can enforce. If you call the local sheriff they will explain it and they are nice. Good luck. If we don't stop these people from doing what they want to do The Villages will become a not so nice place to live.

Great response! Instead of venting in here, how about going to the neighbor who might not have known the contractor would have to come onto your lawn and make sure they are aware of any damage which contractors here in my 7 years always fix.

Since "TRESPASSING" is becoming more and more of a problem it would be good if ARC and Deeds Restrictions etc. made it known that it's NOT ALLOWED. ARC is making people aware that any change to their property requires a permit and they should make people aware of what TRESPASSING is----publish it in The Daily Sun and put it on their television station and when it's reported notify the offenders.

This happened to our neighbors. The neighbor on the other side of the privacy fence put a pool in and without permission beforehand, the contractor took down the privacy fence, drove trucks across their lawn, leaving ruts, broke sprinkler lines/heads, gouged the fence and left cement/rock debris in their yard. It took numerous calls to the contractor and a conversation with the neighbor and finally a threat for legal action/civil lawsuit to get it all made right again. The neighbor blamed the contractor, saying the contractor was supposed to "take care of this" beforehand and the contractor just blew it all off, apparently. That "relationship" between neighbors will be forever compromised.

Before doing anything else would have a nice conversation with neighbor and contractor.

The words please and thank you typically go far in resolving any issues.

Several times contractors have parked their vehicles across our driveway and when asked to please move it they have always said sorry and taken care of it.

I feel your pain! Have just gone thru the rut causing landscaper and owner driving his golf cart along my property line in the landscaping rut. Tried to politely discuss the issue with the neighbor with no success - he even yelled at me! The rut is clearly on top of my irrigation line!!! Also spoke to landscaper - first time he said he would slow down and be more careful - he did - one time! Next time he was right back driving on the irrigation line and dissed me when I pointed it out to him.

Since we are snowbirds there is not much we can do from a distance. However...my lawn cutter has promised to install short flagged/decorated pieces of metal rebar alongside my irrigation line several feet apart making it necessary for the offending lawn cutter to avoid the line or suffer the damage to his equipment. We're fortunate that my lawn cutter does not mind having to weed whack that rebar - but he resents being blamed for the rut by my offending neighbor! We are also fortunate that we live on the historic side where deed restrictions are not as restrictive as other villages! Am thinking that when we return we will design some type of planting between the properties [with the assistance of ARC] that will be pleasant to look at.

I had that happen to me several years ago. Argued with my neighbor, who is a jerk! And I have never since spoken to my neighbor and I likely never will!

It is also a consequence of the lots in TV Land being so small.

In response to those who suggest being nice and talking to the offender. There are people out there who refuse to talk sensibly. They won't acknowledge that they are breaking laws/rules and they make up things and say they are covered under a law that does NOT include them ---an example being the easement rules which only apply to utility companies and the developer. Please don't blame the victims in these situations. Blame those who believe they are exempt from laws.

there are a lot of AHOLE neighbors in the villages that take liberties I would never take.
I had neighbors on both side come on my property with contractors not once, not twice but five times and never repaired damage, finally after five years of there 175 feet of landscaping growing on to my property where a 5 foot a special easement exist i had them rip it out.
People don't care about encroaching on someone's property as long as there property is ok, its called Villager entitlement. the trespassing laws are one of the best in Florida in the country;
810.08 Trespass in structure or conveyance.
810.09 Trespass on property other than structure or conveyance.

If unreasonable or arrogance exist then you don't have good neighbors anyways so don't put up with it!!
JMHO

And that is why I always cut my OWN grass. The grass maintenance people are poor and from the lower ladder of society, which is to be blamed on ALL of society, not just the failings of the individual. Be that as it may, the grass cutters tell their friends when TV Landers are away and who has what power tools. Their friends break into the houses, then pawn the stolen equipment - then the grass cutters or other workers get a kickback for the information. With riding lawnmowers so available, most TV Landers should be capable of doing their own grass cutting - and whenever possible, other maintenance should be done by trusted retired Villagers. This would cut down on TV Land crime (that DOES exist even though the newspaper deemphasizes it)! And NEVER leave your doors unlocked - the Neighborhood Watch people are useless! Cameras can help.

I negotiated things for a living. Like most things there is an art to it. Before things get out of hand, it can be wise to retreat. I see you are busy now, when would be a better time for you? Never back anyone into a corner always allow them an obvious turn off the road to confrontation. It is always harder to get the result you want after a hostile confrontation.

Whatever your neighbor said a licensed contractor knows the law. Someone you hire off the street because they are cheap, you may find as in other issues that you pay for it once and then again to get it done right.

That's one way to find a "silver lining".

Reality. If, someone robs your home it is usually an unplanned crime. A ridding mower?
It may be expensive however the criminal was seen escaping on a riding mower is a bit comical. They want, and will take stuff that is easily to sell and small.

Further reality. If, you chose to hit a thief with say a baseball bat, he will get free medical care paid for by your tax money and he will be back on the street before you will.

Where we are and how we got here.

I agree with you! If that neighbor is rude and takes advantage of you once it will likely happen again. And the same for the landscapers. If the person starting this thread fights for their position and rights, it helps ALL other Villagers because the neighbor and the landscapers will have been put on notice that their actions were WRONG and offensive. They could contact the Police and The Villages Office - also they could reveal the name of the landscaper on this or other local forums. Rudeness and lack of empathy need the oxygen of an opaque environment. Transparency can help a local situation and probably all situations - with the exception of national spying operations.

A lot of the landscaping and Maintainance workers are NOT of good character. Like anything else, most of them are probably honest and hardworking good people. It is the rotten apples that will treat the OLDER Villagers as EASY MARKS and sources of income - TV Landers MUST stay aware - this is NOT Disneyland, a place devoid of CRIME!

Actually, if you live here long enough, you will begin to see a real underbelly to TV Land. I have not seen that recent documentary that reveals much about TV Land. Rumor has it that way back there was a book published that the owners did NOT want to be circulated. So, they bought up all copies. This could be just hearsay and rumors about "skeletons in the closet" of Adult Disneyland?

Good post and good advice!

I saw my one if my neighbors on my property (without my permission) near the flowerbed. Took a closer look at the camera video to see what he was doing. He was fixing one of my solar lights the wind had blown down. Terrible! Typical Villager!