[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

The first photo shows the space between my CV and my neighbor’s. If you draw a line along the left side of the sidewalk and extend it down through the front lawn, everything to the right is my property and my responsibility. Everything to the left is my neighbor’s. That is my belief, and what I’ve been told. Easier to look at a picture than to read through technical jargon trying to describe it! I believe, too, that the bushes to the left of the sidewalk are on my neighbor’s property and their responsibility (2nd photo).

As you go through the gate toward the rear of the house (3rd photo), I believe my property line ends at the left side of the sidewalk since it’s only reasonable that my neighbor would need maintenance access to his side of the house. I don’t know if that is the neighbor’s property, ‘common’ property, or if it’s controlled by an easement. However, I do believe the rocky area with the plants is my responsibility to maintain since the sprinklers which water the plants are on my sprinkler system.

Thanks for any clarification -- perhaps it’s easier to comment on a photo than a blueprint.

Typically, there is no "common" property in a courtyard villla. Most CY villas are about 10 feet apart and the property line runs midway between the properties. However, when you get inside the gate, you are required to maintain all of the property inside your back yard, even though your neighbor owns a 5-foot strip of land in your back yard. This is called a sideyard easement. Outside of the gate, you are responsible for maintaining all of the land from your house to the exterior wall of the neighbor's house. This is also called a sideyard easement. The purpose for this rule is so you can control the appearance of the front part of your house. Again, there is no common property, only easements.

[jimhoward]

I get what they did. The lots are all rectangles or simple polygons that fill the space and are easy to survey. But then the house designers go for more complicated shapes for aesthetic or functional reasons. They don’t bother re-laying out the plots, they mesh the two with easements. No big deal.

A five foot strip of my side yard is owned by my neighbor but I use it and I maintain it. He does not use it and can’t even see it and it’s inside my fence. He has the same situation on the other side of his house. It’s weird but okay.

One complication though is if you want a pool or birdcage or similar. Your set back starts from your actual lot line not your apparent one. Or at least I think it does.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by jimhoward

I get what they did. The lots are all rectangles or simple polygons that fill the space and are easy to survey. But then the house designers go for more complicated shapes for aesthetic or functional reasons. They don’t bother re-laying out the plots, they mesh the two with easements. No big deal.

A five foot strip of my side yard is owned by my neighbor but I use it and I maintain it. He does not use it and can’t even see it and it’s inside my fence. He has the same situation on the other side of his house. It’s weird but okay.

One complication though is if you want a pool or birdcage or similar. Your set back starts from your actual lot line not your apparent one. Or at least I think it does.

I think you've got it. A lot of people don't.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

Thanks for any clarification -- perhaps it’s easier to comment on a photo than a blueprint.

Commenting or drawing conclusions from a photo, is likely to lead to trouble. You need to see a Plot Plan at a minimum, preferably a legitimate Survey Plan.

For example, if that walk-way in the last photo is on an easement, it's unlikely that someone has a right to put an HVAC unit and partially block access. You need to see a plan, then you need to read the Grant of the Easements.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Commenting or drawing conclusions from a photo, is likely to lead to trouble. You need to see a Plot Plan at a minimum, preferably a legitimate Survey Plan.

For example, if that walk-way in the last photo is on an easement, it's unlikely that someone has a right to put an HVAC unit and partially block access. You need to see a plan, then you need to read the Grant of the Easements.

It appears as though the AC unit is on the property owned by the house on the right, and it is not in the easement area. The easement area is on the left side of the yard next to the house on the left.