My Neighbor Keeps Mowing Into My Lawn: What To Do
If you take pride in your lawn, then nobody can blame you for getting upset when someone else mows it. That’s especially true if you know your property lines, but your neighbor doesn’t seem to care. It’s a stressful situation when your neighbor keeps mowing into your lawn, so what can you do about it?
If your neighbor keeps mowing into your side of the lawn, politely tell them that it’s your property. You can refer to the property pins in your yard to show them that your claims are true. If that doesn’t work, document the situation, issue a formal notice, build a fence, or contact a lawyer.
Hiring a lawyer should be your last-ditch effort, as it can be expensive. Follow along as we explore what to do if your neighbor keeps mowing on your property.
What To Do If Your Neighbor Mows Onto Your Property
1. Check The Property Lines
Sometimes, property boundaries are confusing, especially when you and your neighor have lush lawns. They can accidentally mow into your lawn, thinking it’s theirs. Many neighboring homes don’t have any hard boundaries, such as fences, between them. You can easily check your property deed to see where your yard ends and your neighbor’s begins.
Otherwise, you can search your lawn for property pins, which typically sit 10-15 feet from the street. They often appear at every bend or corner in a yard, so you have several chances to find them. Sometimes, it's not easy to identify, so you should always refer to your deed as a backup. This will either reveal that your neighbor isn’t actually mowing on your property, or that your instincts were correct, in which case, you can proceed.
2. Document Everything
It's not difficult to collect evidence when you’re being wronged. Most people have a smartphone, and many others have doorbell cameras. Start taking pictures or videos when you see your neighbor mowing into your lawn. It’s the best way to protect yourself if the problem continues and your neighbor becomes contentious. You can even just take a picture of the aftermath when your neighbor is done mowing the lawn. That way, you don’t have to feel like you’re spying on your neighbor.
You may never need to use the pictures, but it’s important to document the situation as early as possible. This will come in handy if the situation becomes a legal matter, which might not happen, but it’s good to be prepared. It’s also useful if you share a landlord with your neighbor, as you can show them the evidence.
3. Talk To Your Neighbor
Some people skip the first two steps and talk to their nieghbors right away, and that’s fine. That’s especially true if you have a great relationship with your neighbor and you aren’t worried about any repercussions. However, not everyone gets along with their neighbors or even knows them at all. If you’re nervous about talking to your neighbor, you can write them a letter, email, or text message.
You can mention where your property ends and their property begins. It helps to cite the dead and property pins to show that you claim can be easily substantiated. If all goes well, they will simply apologize and stop. Otherwise, you must move on to the next step.
4. Contact Your Landlord
Do you share a landlord with your neighbor? If so, then you can involve your landlord to make the process easier. Landlords are supposed to advocate for their tenants. If you and your neighbor have the same landlord, contact them, provide the pictures, and explain the entire situation. There’s a chance that your landlord won’t care, in which case, you may want to drop the topic. If they do care, then your landlord can contact your neighbor on your behalf to rectify the situation.
5. Create a Barrier
You can create a barrier to stop your neighbor from mowing on your property if they can’t take a hint. This is frustrating, as it can be costly to build a fence. However, you aren’t strictly limited to fences, as you can use plants or rocks. You can plant a row of evergreen hedges, flowering shrubs, or ornamental grasses.
Not only will this deter your neighbor, but it will also add curb appeal to your home. If your neighbor gets upset, they may try to dispute it and say that you’re building a barrier in their yard. All you have to do is cite the property deed and show them the property pins. If they remain contentious, contact a lawyer.
6. Contact A Lawyer
Everyone has had a “neighbor from hell” situation, and that may be what you’re dealing with. That’s most likely the case if your neighbor won’t respect property lines and gets offended when you built a barrier. If there’s no reasoning with them, then it's time to hire an attorney. However, legal fees are extremely expensive, so hiring a lawyer should only be your last resort. Before doing that, write your neighbor an email or a letter, attach the evidence, and tell them they cannot mow your lawn.
If that doesn’t work, then hire a lawyer, even if it’s just a one-time fee. For example, you can have a lawyer write a legal notice that your neighbor will likely take that more seriously. Keep in mind that this may permanently strain your relationship with your neighbor.
Summing It Up
Check the deed and inspect the property pins in your yard to see if your neighbor is really mowing on your property. If so, take pictures or videos and then notify them that they’re mowing into your lawn. They should stop, but if not, then you must create a physical barrier, issue them a formal notice, or contact a lawyer.
Related Guides:
Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
More by Nick Durante
