Neighbors and Pool Installation (LONG)

[DaveD]

So how did the REST of the summer go?

[Simmons99]

Update - we built the fence. They then called the City and said that it was on their property. I guess the guy next door called and threatened to sue the City if they gave us final inspection on the fence.

So the City won't come and measure - they stated that we had to get the neighbors to agree that the fence is not on their property in order for them to schedule the final inspection. Then the City tells me - oh and if you don't get this resolved by the time the permit expires, we won't renew it and you will have to remove the structure or have a $250/day fine until it is removed.

At this point - I call my attorney and he says that we need to prove it's on our property - but I don't want to spend $350 for a surveyor bc these people are a bunch of morons. Anyway - we found a friend of a friend that was a surveyor for the county we lived in and he came out and marked the line last night. The nieghbors came over and kissed (($%&(# after they saw that they were totally in the wrong - I'm sure that guy was thinking - "crap now they have grounds to sue us".

DH found out they are having a sun room added to the back of their house in a few months. DH and I are going to take turns calling the City about obscure things.... now it's going to get fun

We have also devised a long-term get them to move plan. Since I graduated from school - I know belong to several neighborhood committees, and all these people on the HOA that they have been complaining to are on our side.... can't wait until I see the "For Sale" sign in the front yard

[Spensar]

LOL. As if, after the systematic hard time they gave you every step of the way, you would screw up and have the fence encroach on their property.

[Jeffski]

DH and I are going to take turns calling the City about obscure things.... now it's going to get fun

We have also devised a long-term get them to move plan. Since I graduated from school - I know belong to several neighborhood committees, and all these people on the HOA that they have been complaining to are on our side.... can't wait until I see the "For Sale" sign in the front yard

Who's the bad neighbor? Sounds like they have a get-you-to-move plan as well.

[Phillbo]

Show them you are better than they are and let them build in peace

[dawndenise]

Never hurts to hope but...few homeowners sell their property right after making a major improvement to it, like adding a sunroom. Sounds like you both are going to be joined at the lot line for some years to come. Hope everyone can eventually find some sort of peaceful co-existence.

[matt4x4]

I've been following this thread since the beginning, and always thought you were decent people.....however.....after reading this:

DH found out they are having a sun room added to the back of their house in a few months. DH and I are going to take turns calling the City about obscure things.... now it's going to get fun

You're just like the rest of them, I thought you were bigger people than that, sure, I can understand that they are annoying, however, didn't your parents teach you NOT to fight fire with fire.
Personal opinion here, but my thoughts would be to embarrass the hell out of them by showing them what idiots they have been through being overly helpful, accommodating and just the nicest people throughout their sun room ordeal. In other words - completely 180 from their approach.

I mean really, set a good example here, don't stoop to their level, show them what neighbours should be like - hey, maybe they'll learn something and try to change for the better. Bring over beers and discuss the wonderful addition - That's what we do in Canada, the friendliest nation in the world!!!!

[Poconos]

I usually don't even look at threads with this many posts but for some reason I did this time. Simmons, I see you're in Florida. My advice to you is to let the situation peter out. You proved your in the right, unless your surveyor goofed, so just get on with life. Unless you have a real reason to go after him like a blatant code violation or something similar, the situation will escalate and maybe get out of control. Like my state of Pennsylvania, Florida is a 'right to carry' state and very lenient on firearm posession. One big reason I like PA. People have been known to flip out and we don't want to read about an incident in Sanford. One thing I've learned in my dealings with obnoxious neighbors is you sometimes have no idea what they are thinking and what they think could be totally wrong and these wrong ideas in their heads could push them over the edge and then everyone loses.
Be careful.
Al

[tphaggerty]

I had (have) a very similar situation with my neighbor. Even after showing him advance plans for my pool and him not objecting to anything at the variance hearings, he went ballistic after the pool was put in, even though we didn't encroach on his property at all and met all permitting requirements (and have a beautiful pool).

I finally got him to back off after threatening (obliquely) to have his above ground pool removed (it is against our deed restrictions) - he was being very vicious with the building inspector (who should have just ignored him, but didn't). Now, he just glares at me. But, other than exclaiming loudly (only sometimes) how wonderful the warm, solar heated, large, beautifully landscaped pool is, we pretty much ignore him, but are always courteous. Screw him, I can't spend my life being angry, I've got a wonderful pool to swim in!!!

[dawndenise]

And let's not forget that kids hear and see everything that's going on. They learn how to act based on what they see the adults do.