What would you do ?

[ROYC75]

Let me back it up here, I've always suspected that the backside of neighbors house had a sewer line or even the main sewer line coming across into my lateral line. Years ago, they allowed landowners with multiple houses together to share the same lateral line. Now I have the proof, his line does tie into mine, matter of fact, it's right up under the deck of my house.

Backing up to 3 years ago, I had to replace about 80% of my lateral line from the bottom of my circle drive to the main city sewer line. That cost me $ 7500.00 and I didn't replace it all because I didn't want to dig up my blacktop drive at the time.


My neighbor has turned into a childish dick ever since his dog followed my dog back to our property and our other dog killed it. To add insult to injury, he slipped on the wet grass and broke his collar bone.

So my question is, do I make him pony up $3750.00 or have him put in his own sewer line, approx. 130 feet ? I would be willing to bet that 130 feet will cost him at least $10K to put in !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Originally Posted by ROYC75

Wow, this place never fails to amaze me. Let me see if I can clear some of the nonsense up here?

We have a perimeter fence around our property. Our Lab didn't have his collar on and wandered across the property line. So, by the time I had walked down to the end of the driveway (at the edge of the house to see what was going on), he was 15 feet across the property line doing what dogs do, licking and sniffing each other's ass's. I commanded him to come back across to my side, as he came back, the neighbor's pain in the ass Yorkie decided to follow him. Having artificial knees, I could not run to the property line fast enough to stop what was about to happen next. My grandson's Pit was there with his shock collar on, as soon as their dog entered 6' inside of our property, it was too late. It had been raining some prior to this time and the neighbor slipped as he tried to run downhill to catch his dog before crossing. He slipped and did a Charlie Brown flop on his back, landing in a way to break his collar bone. I got citated for not having my Lab on a leach, yet he was not citated for the same thing. But he took all of this personal, took the time to give the grandkids a hard time. Telling them, I'm going to kill all of your dogs. Even making threats towards the kid's friends. I had to call the police on him several times about it and even spoke to the Co. Attorney about his threats, causing fear within them. Even after I apologized to him the next day, expressing my sorrow for his dog and his personal injury that was sustained on his property turned into an ass. Nothing worked, he kept on starring at us as we took our pets out on a leash, video us, making threats, playing loud music all day (which I didn't care, we like the same music) even after hours outside. He even started playing the same song all day long, for 16 hrs out of the day! Sad part is, we always got along up to this point, I used to mow his yard for him. He retired as a prison guard, was having some medical issues and a couple of weeks prior to this dog incident, he apologized for being a " asshole " about treat us and anybody around us. I told him then not to think twice about it, that I knew something was up with his demeanor. But this incident flipped him out, he put No Trespassing signs on the trees, paid for a survey crew to mark his property and has put up a fence between us, all within his rights. Please keep in mind, this whole time he had acted like an ass (over medication & emotional duress) I never engaged in his comments and told the kids to not comment. (This attitude of his has gone on for 5 months now and I'm about to send it into orbit).

Keep in mind when we both bought our houses, me in 1998 and he in 2010 , we were not aware of the current sewer line issues or how it was installed back in the 1930's.

Which brings us to date, he dug up a section of my yard to cut into a sewer tile that runs under my deck, to get to my sewer line. (FYI, there is only 10-12 feet between our houses) This line connects between my house and a clean out trap I had installed about 6' from my house. So his line is within 2, maybe 3 feet off the corner of my house! Then it runs about 60' out to the end of my driveway where we put in a cleanout trap and the new line starts, 90' to the city sewer main.

Years ago back in the 30's when both of these houses were built, the same guy that owned the old tobacco warehouse across the street had our houses built to help house the people that worked there (plus the many more on this street). They were boarding houses back in the day, reason they were built side by side, so close on the same sewer line. Building codes were so much different then than now and all of this old tile is giving way! I feel it's just a matter of time before the section between what we did and the house gives in under my blacktop drive.

I need to do something about this scenario with a 1-time, somewhat friend that has turned into a dickhead over pets!

Since I have not approached him yet, I'm leaning towards just letting him put his own line in. But I was wondering if there was another option here for him, cuz we are going to have to revisit this sewer line again. So I was thinking about getting him to own up to 50% of the maintenance is only fair.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by El Lobo Gordo

Based on what you have said in this thread, if your neighbor threatened your grand kids and their friends I don't think you'd be inclined to be a nice guy when it came to handling this situation about the sewer line.

If you are the OP, How do you approach this guy and present the problem you want solved?

Option A:
Hey neighbor. When you had work done on your sewer line, I realized that it had been run in a completely weird way and runs into my line. I didn't think anything of it at first, but I was talking to a friend of mine who is a real estate agent, and he was really worried about that for both our sake. We now have to disclose that if we ever go to sell our houses, and that's the kind of thing that will scare a lot of buyers off. I also have some work that still needs to be done on the line we apparently share, and while I'd generally be open to sharing the costs, it's just not a viable long-term solution. It's not a huge rush, but my lawyer tells me that the only real way around this is to separate our lines and have you run your own. I know that sucks, so I'm OK if it takes a while, but we really need to get this done in the next year. I'm happy to refer you to my guy if you need it.

Option B:
You have 30 days to get this fixed or I'm capping it off. Also, **** your dog.

--

I'm not saying my version of Option A is perfect, but OP seems intent on going in guns blazing when he doesn't actually even know what the situation is. If you've consulted with a lawyer who can figure out what the actual options are and found that the only way out of it is by separating the lines, it is what it is. But there's zero reason to just drop this on someone when there's absolutely no rush on this at all. People usually don't have $10k just lying around, and forcing someone to come up with it out of nowhere like that is, again, and epically dickish move.

[El Lobo Gordo]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Option A:
Hey neighbor. When you had work done on your sewer line, I realized that it had been run in a completely weird way and runs into my line. I didn't think anything of it at first, but I was talking to a friend of mine who is a real estate agent, and he was really worried about that for both our sake. We now have to disclose that if we ever go to sell our houses, and that's the kind of thing that will scare a lot of buyers off. I also have some work that still needs to be done on the line we apparently share, and while I'd generally be open to sharing the costs, it's just not a viable long-term solution. It's not a huge rush, but my lawyer tells me that the only real way around this is to separate our lines and have you run your own. I know that sucks, so I'm OK if it takes a while, but we really need to get this done in the next year. I'm happy to refer you to my guy if you need it.

A year goes by, the neighbor doesn't do anything, you serve notice, he files an injunction to stop you from capping his line. In the deposition for the lawsuits you each testify your versions of this conversation. In his version he says you gave him a prescriptive easement for as long as it takes to solve the issue. He claims you are only now changing your tune because he would not come over and help fix your garbage disposal, shot your dog when it wandered onto his property, and towed your family members car when they parked in front of his driveway.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by El Lobo Gordo

A year goes by, the neighbor doesn't do anything, you serve notice, he files an injunction to stop you from capping his line. In the deposition for the lawsuits you each testify your versions of this conversation. In his version he says you gave him a prescriptive easement for as long as it takes to solve the issue. He claims you are only now changing your tune because he would not come over and help fix your garbage disposal, shot your dog when it wandered onto his property, and towed your family members car when they parked in front of his driveway.

My point is that escalating disputes rarely works out the way you hope it will. Honestly, to answer the actual question in the OP, I probably would do nothing and just accept that I'm responsible for something my neighbor is benefitting from.

It sucks that it's not "fair," but it's not like that's unheard of. I own the fence that gives my neighbors some extra privacy. They own the tree that shades my yard. I don't expect them to chip in for the fence when the time comes, and they don't expect me to pay for their tree to get pruned.

I'm just hoping we get updates on how this turns out. Should be riveting drama.

[El Lobo Gordo]

Originally Posted by DaFace

My point is that escalating disputes rarely works out the way you hope it will. Honestly, to answer the actual question in the OP, I probably would do nothing and just accept that I'm responsible for something my neighbor is benefitting from.

It sucks that it's not "fair," but it's not like that's unheard of. I own the fence that gives my neighbors some extra privacy. They own the tree that shades my yard. I don't expect them to chip in for the fence when the time comes, and they don't expect me to pay for their tree to get pruned.

I'm just hoping we get updates on how this turns out. Should be riveting drama.

I think that is a good point to make and something the OP should consider. My only concern for the OP is how his somewhat new found knowledge of the sewer situation effects his ability to sell his property.

[Balto]

Just a thought…..anyway his house is older and he could claim that the line was originally part of his property and your house was the one that tapped into his line? Just saying

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by DaFace

My point is that escalating disputes rarely works out the way you hope it will. Honestly, to answer the actual question in the OP, I probably would do nothing and just accept that I'm responsible for something my neighbor is benefitting from.

It sucks that it's not "fair," but it's not like that's unheard of. I own the fence that gives my neighbors some extra privacy. They own the tree that shades my yard. I don't expect them to chip in for the fence when the time comes, and they don't expect me to pay for their tree to get pruned.

I'm just hoping we get updates on how this turns out. Should be riveting drama.

Good points. I bet he wouldn’t respond too kindly if in a year the guy asks him to pay for half of the fence that was installed. After all, he is benefiting from this fence by keeping his killer dog from killing.

[Jewish Rabbi]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Good points. I bet he wouldn’t respond too kindly if in a year the guy asks him to pay for half of the fence that was installed. After all, he is benefiting from this fence by keeping his killer dog from killing.

Shit by his responses in this thread Roy would probably sue because his dog isn’t allowed to kill

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

Shit by his responses in this thread Roy would probably sue because his dog isn’t allowed to kill

TBH it's a lot like that movie Cujo!!

[Jewish Rabbi]

Originally Posted by Simply Red

TBH it's a lot like that movie Cujo!!

Except the owner ****s their dog in this case! I don’t remember that happening in the movie

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by Chiefs4TheWin

Regardless of legality the dude already lost a pet. I wouldn't be surprised if he was already in war mode.

Yeah, this situation requires a deft touch.

Roy doesn’t have that club in his bag.

[ROYC75]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Option A:
Hey neighbor. When you had work done on your sewer line, I realized that it had been run in a completely weird way and runs into my line. I didn't think anything of it at first, but I was talking to a friend of mine who is a real estate agent, and he was really worried about that for both our sake. We now have to disclose that if we ever go to sell our houses, and that's the kind of thing that will scare a lot of buyers off. I also have some work that still needs to be done on the line we apparently share, and while I'd generally be open to sharing the costs, it's just not a viable long-term solution. It's not a huge rush, but my lawyer tells me that the only real way around this is to separate our lines and have you run your own. I know that sucks, so I'm OK if it takes a while, but we really need to get this done in the next year. I'm happy to refer you to my guy if you need it.

Option B:
You have 30 days to get this fixed or I'm capping it off. Also, **** your dog.

--

I'm not saying my version of Option A is perfect, but OP seems intent on going in guns blazing when he doesn't actually even know what the situation is. If you've consulted with a lawyer who can figure out what the actual options are and found that the only way out of it is by separating the lines, it is what it is. But there's zero reason to just drop this on someone when there's absolutely no rush on this at all. People usually don't have $10k just lying around, and forcing someone to come up with it out of nowhere like that is, again, and epically dickish move.

Understand this, how be it you do not know me, this guy does. He knows I have always been up front and easy to work with. This thread is liberated with innuendos of me being a dick and demanding $$$ as a payback for his childish behavior! His behavior has been going on for 5 months now. Shit, I heard Coal Miners Daughter continuously played for 18 hrs in 1 day. But remember this, we were on really good terms at one time but with his health and medication issues, it helped put him over the edge about his pet. I believe that we can get past this in time and resolve this in a peaceful manor. If not, then legal action is needed to resolve the sewer issue and he can forever be mad about his bitchy Yorkie that kept running to our property all of the time. I have tried to make peace with him, yet somehow you keep insinuating I want to be a dick about this. Again, FTR, I do not like how he's been a dick about this, but as I stated many times, the dog, his health, his medications, I get it to a degree, but leave the kids out of it!

But if he wants to continue being a dick, I'll dick him right back to where he see's his own shit coming out of his shit hole!

[ROYC75]

Originally Posted by Balto

Just a thought…..anyway his house is older and he could claim that the line was originally part of his property and your house was the one that tapped into his line? Just saying

They were owned by the same person that built them back in the 30's, They were boarding house for the tobacco factory across the street.

[Balto]

Originally Posted by ROYC75

They were owned by the same person that built them back in the 30's when they were boarding house for the tobacco factory across the street.

Just saying that he could have an easement and it actually be his line. Which paying the $7k repair would hurt even more.

[ROYC75]

Originally Posted by Balto

Just saying that he could have an easement and it actually be his line. Which paying the $7k repair would hurt even more.

Now that would make a court battle cuz my deed says nothing of it!

[Abba-Dabba]

Originally Posted by ROYC75

Understand this, how be it you do not know me, this guy does. He knows I have always been up front and easy to work with. This thread is liberated with innuendos of me being a dick and demanding $$$ as a payback for his childish behavior! His behavior has been going on for 5 months now. Shit, I heard Coal Miners Daughter continuously played for 18 hrs in 1 day. But remember this, we were on really good terms at one time but with his health and medication issues, it helped put him over the edge about his pet. I believe that we can get past this in time and resolve this in a peaceful manor. If not, then legal action is needed to resolve the sewer issue and he can forever be mad about his bitchy Yorkie that kept running to our property all of the time. I have tried to make peace with him, yet somehow you keep insinuating I want to be a dick about this. Again, FTR, I do not like how he's been a dick about this, but as I stated many times, the dog, his health, his medications, I get it to a degree, but leave the kids out of it!

But if he wants to continue being a dick, I'll dick him right back to where he see's his own shit coming out of his shit hole!

Two way streets. I'd bet my last dollar he feels you're the dick too.

He said she said, pointing fingers, blaming the other party. Hallmarks of neighborhood Karen's. I'm sure living next to both of you guys is a just a dream come true for your neighbors.


Why don't both of you guys just do all of your neighbors a favor and provide them with some real entertainment instead of using your dogs for a fight. Get up of your ****ing wheelchairs, grab your walkers and beat each other senseless.