[den112]

Person behind us extended Lani. The contractor made ruts in our yard, yet the home owner says it is up to the contractor to fix. To date nothing has been done. It is to bad that people that live next to you act in this manner. How would you resolve this and keep friends next to you.

[Bryan]

I think there are several prudent steps you can and should take.

First would be to document your damages via pictures.

I presume you discussed this with your neighbor in a "neighborly" manner and they have declined to help you resolve the issue. That being the case, you should ask them to at least provide you with the name, address, phone, etc., of the contractor who did the work and the damage.

With that in hand, you should contact that individual or company twice - once informally by phone to "get the lay of the land" on your problem and repeat that telephonic information in a written letter sent to them, certified mail, return receipt requested. Be clear on what you want done to resolve your problem and provide the pictures of the damage if you think it is appropriate.

If all that does not resolve the issue to your satisfaction, we have an organization within TV that will assist you - Seniors Vs Crime. This is a volunteer organization that is a special project of the Florida Attorney Generals Office. Their mission in life is to assist senior Floridians in resolving business disputes without resort to the court system.

Seniors Vs Crime (SVC) has two offices in TV - both offices are co-located with our local Sheriff's Department stations.

The Marion County Office of SVC is in the Marion County Sheriffs Office on Mulberry Lane near Buena Vista Blvd. They are open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 AM until 2 PM, no appointment is necessary. You can call them at 352-753-7775.

The Sumter County Office is in the Sumter County Sheriffs Office on Highway 466 near Morse Boulevard. Again, no appointment is necessary and they are open 10 AM to 2 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You can call them at 352-753-2799, Extension 4253.

There is no charge to anyone to use their services. If your personal efforts to resolve this dispute fail, visit or call their office, fill out a simple form, take any paperwork relating to your complaint, and let them give you a hand in resolving it.