How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (Full Version)

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SkillfullGourmet -> How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/20/2008 4:05:21 PM)

My husband and I have had our house on the market for 2 months now with no success. We have had many people come to see the house and say nice things about it but no one has made an offer. We have gotten at least 6 comments about the state of our next door neighbor's yard. It is true that it is a bit tacky looking. The front porch has a lot of coolers and beverage cases and old grills and such. Then, if you look into the backyard (which you cannot see directly from our yard...you have to go a bit out of your way to look around our fence/shed to see it) it is very dumpy. Lots of old lawnmowers and just general garbage.

Even though it's a bit of an eyesore, it hasn't been a big problem for us. As I said, it's not something that we can really even see from our house. We can enjoy our backyard without seeing theirs. Also, the people themselves are very nice people. Yes, they have a junk collecting problem (for whatever reason) but they are kind, friendly, decent people. It may be helpful to note that they are renting the place, they do not own it.

What is the most Christian way to broach this with them? I thought about explaining our situation to them nicely, and offering to help them clean up (doing the "dump runs" ourselves and such). My husband thought we should talk to their landlord, but I really think we should speak with them first. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure they're within their legal rights to keep their yard the way it is.



MrsTracy72 -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/20/2008 4:26:20 PM)

So many things go into the sale of a house, that it is hard to narrow down why some sell and some don't. The market is really bad right now and people just aren't buying. If you feel comfortable enough, maybe you can tell them how you feel in a nice way. You can even throw in that with the market being what it is, every little bit helps. But only if you are confident in your relationship with them. Otherwise I would just leave it go.

If you go to the property owner, they may or may not do anything anyway, but if the neighbors find out you went "behind their backs and complained about them" they might not take that too well.

You just need to decide if you are ready to have these people be offended. If you don't mind that possiblility, then start with them. But be ready just in case they take it personally.



lexie -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/20/2008 4:35:07 PM)

My BIL was on the receiving end of this. They had a lot of stuff stored in their backyard that was visible from the neighbour's yard, who were selling the home.

The neighbour came over one day and said "would you mind storing the stuff in your backyard somewhere else until our house sells? We've heard that often the neighbour's yard can affect how your house sells. We'll let you know as soon as an offer is accepted to put your stuff back."

My BIL had no problem moving it. (Though this does depend on your relationship with the neighbours.)

If they are decent people, then they shouldn't have a problem with it. You could even offer to help them clear it out.



SkillfullGourmet -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/20/2008 4:50:50 PM)

I know there's many reasons the house may not have sold by now, but the last people who saw it said it was "very high" on their list, but asked what in the world was going on with the neighbors. We've had their place mentioned enough, in conjunction with lots of really positive things about our house, that we're fairly certain that we could have sold the house by now if their house had a nicer appearance.

I'm certainly not sure that they won't be offended. I just want to do whatever has the best chance of them taking it well AND cleaning it up :)

lexie, that's really nice that your BIL did that for his neighbors. I feel like we'll be asking a lot of them, just for our own personal gain. Like I said though, we are willing to help with a lot of the work.



buckifn -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/20/2008 5:03:27 PM)

Most places have city codes about junk collecting on one's property. If it is that bad then I would call the city and let them handle it. Then if the neighbor mentions anything to you I would offer to assist them in any way you can.



MrsTracy72 -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/20/2008 5:04:57 PM)

Well, if you are on good terms, and are willing to help, maybe it will go over well. But when buyers ask what is up with them, just tell them that they are very nice people and that you get along well with them. You don't need to mention what they have in front of their house to buyers. If a buyer really wants your house, they are going to care more about the type of people they are living next to rather than what is on their front porch.



NotDoneYet -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/20/2008 5:58:33 PM)

You can talk to the neighbors, and ask them if they'd clean it up...OR go to the landlord. Also, most cities have ordinances about "junk collecting" within city limits.

Me, I'd take the direct approach...go to the neighbors and lay it out...ask them to have it done within, oh...7 days...if they got ugly...go to the landlord. If the neighbors get nasty, well...you're planning to move anyway...



PureOath -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/20/2008 6:14:49 PM)

I'd look at this not as an either or situation, but rather as having three levels of escalation.

First Level - Talk to the neighbors. Ask them to clean it up, and offer assistance. As mentioned before this depends on your relationship with them. If it's not good chances are they aren't going to do anything. I'd still ask directly first anyway, so that way when I moved to level 2 they'd know why.

Second Level - Talk to the landlord. He's the second tier of authority here. Since it's his property, he can within reasonable limits direct upkeep and care of the property, including wether or not piles of junk will be tolerated.

Third Level - Talk to city/local goverment about ordiances and codes. I would use the landlord as the second step because any fines or action may implicate him.

I would try to resolve the issue on the lowest level possible.



jaimestarcross -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/20/2008 7:39:13 PM)

Just because the remarks were made about the neighbor's untidiness doesn't mean the people were interested in buying your home... many people are "just looking" and they feel obligated to offer the realtor an excuse for not making an offer on the house they've been shown... realtors ask them questions and try some sort of sales tactic to get the viewer(s) of the house to make an offer or have them give an "excuse" if they don't make an offer. I've heard everything from our yard is too big to our yard is too small... one brave lady actually said she was just looking! Our house has been on the market for 2 months and we've not had one offer - but everyone loves how clean it's kept and the house is 3 yrs. old and has new appliances(we upgraded them!) I keep a tidy house and I really make it shine when someone is coming to view it. Even the yard is well cared for and has beautiful flowers and shrubs... however, we still haven't had an offer - not even a low offer!

*If the neighbor's property is an eyesore - find out who they are renting from and contact the landlord (it falls to the landlord to make sure the rental property isn't becoming over run with junk outside the home and he can make the renters clean up the mess or he can have it done and charge them for the clean up.)



buckifn -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/20/2008 7:50:10 PM)

quote:

If a buyer really wants your house, they are going to care more about the type of people they are living next to rather than what is on their front porch.


Not necessarily, some of us do not want to go outside and see junk every morning. Plus, depending on what the trash consists of, rodents and other varmints are often nearby too.

I don't care how nice a house looks I am not buying one if the above mentioned conditions exist nearby.

Being nice is no excuse for being lazy and nasty imo.



SkillfullGourmet -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/20/2008 9:12:22 PM)

Well, my husband talked to them and it didn't go particularly well. The wife feels that it's not the junk that's the problem, it's the fact that people don't want people of their ethnicity as neighbors. He tried to explain to her that he really felt it was not their race that was the issue, because the people making the complaints probably hadn't even seen them (they're often not at home and rarely in the yard) but that he truly felt that people were concerned about all the stuff in the yard. The husband expressed empathy for our problem but felt it was not his problem to deal with. So, no words of anger were exchanged, but neither did they agree to make a plan to clean the place up. Sigh.

I think our next step is to have our realtor contact the landlord. We think if its our realtor dealing with it, it will be more business-related and less personal. I know they probably won't see it that way, but that's our hope.



MrsTracy72 -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/20/2008 9:22:08 PM)

Let us know how that works out for you. If they didn't take it well the first time, they definately won't take it well if it comes from the landlord. Just be ready because they can become very pesty when you have open houses and showings if they are around. Make sure you let your realtor know that you already talked to them and it didn't go well.

I do see what jamiestarcross said about people offering excuses too. They know that a realtor won't give them the time of day and answer their questions if they aren't serious homebuyers. My realtor was a friend of mine and wouldn't even work with me until she had a pre-approval in her hands. It is sad, but they really don't make much with their commission when all is said and done unless they are independant or have been selling homes forever.

I do hope that this thing goes away fast for you. The market is bad enough, and you don't need angry neighbors when you are in the middle of an already stressful situation.



allisonbrett -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/22/2008 10:56:37 AM)

There are numerous reasons why houses won't sell. There are shows on DIY Network and HGTV that are all about staging and making your home easier to sell. You may get some good tips on making your home more attractive to potential buyers. My husband and I are getting some great ideas for our home and we're not selling!

Of course, your neighborhood does play a part and can be a negative if you live next to a rental and a junkie one at that. You may find that others in your neighborhood have the same opinion about the house but have not spoken up. If the renters are not cooperative it may be that they are assuming that your opinion of their yard reflects on your opinion of them or their housekeeping skills. If they continue to be less than helpful then try and talk to the landlord. It's his property values as well and I would think he'd want his rental home properly maintained. It is also his deal if the city or county becomes involved for junk in the yards.

We live next to a mess of a rental too. The last renters who moved in their junk yard too moved out months ago and the house has remained vacant. The owner (who ever that is) is no where to be found. The person on the county records claims that he no longer owns the house so no one is taking responsibility for it. The grass is waist high and we've called the county many times. We know homeless people and kids have been in there but it has since been boarded up. We are thankful that we're not trying to sell as it would seem almost impossible at this point.

Never forget to pray that God will resolve the issue and send just the right family for your home. Praying for you!



Bridgitt -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/22/2008 2:11:38 PM)

Maybe God doesn't want you to move? [;)]



stampinlady -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/22/2008 2:17:19 PM)

quote:

Well, my husband talked to them and it didn't go particularly well.


I'd go to the town government and make a complaint against them. I wouldn't buy a home if the neighborhood looked like no one cares.[:'(]



aquilusone -> RE: How do we get our neighbors to clean up their yard? (7/22/2008 2:52:32 PM)

Does your neighborhood have a Home Owner Association?

If it does, Appeal to them.

I am sure that they have descriptions of what is acceptable in your neighborhood.

If you don't have a HOA maybe you could appeal to the county.

Another thing to think about is if they have a lot of junk that can call alot of rodents, snakes, or

spiders, and they yard could be considered a health risk.



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