Code violation letter ... guess I have a neighbor who doesn't like me - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BodhiBenz1987 · #1 06-23-2009, 03:43 AM

... this is really just a rant, but man am I ticked. At about midnight while I was at work tonight, I get an e-mail from my landlady saying she got a letter from the county saying someone had reported code violations on my property. Our county has an anonymous program where anyone can report anyone. Basically it was just a warning saying an inspector will be over on June 30 and if any violations are found, I will be fined ... it did not specify the violations reported. My landlady was pretty mad in the e-mail, saying she's disappointed I'd let the property get as bad as the letter suggests. Here's the thing: Other then the grass getting really long for a while and one pan of oil sitting on my front porch, I can't for the life of me understand why someone would report me. I mowed the grass about two weeks ago, about a week before the report was filed ... so it didn't look that bad. The oil pan, I'll admit was trashy of me ... but I was going to dispose of it tomorrow (instead I just did it now, at 3 a.m.). But really? Calling the county? Nobody knocked on my door and asked if I could clean it up. Nobody left me a polite note on the door, or even a downright nasty note on the door. Am I wrong to find that a little tasteless? I haven't had anyone say anything to me in the past year and a half about my lawn, cars, etc. and haven't had a beef with anyone. I rarely see my neighbors because I work night shifts so I'm gone all evening and asleep most of the day. Other people's yards sometime get overgrown, and some have toys, trashcans, hoses, etc. in the yards.
I'm wondering if this person has a problem with my car hobby ... I had the 240D parked out front, on the street, where others park too. But it was old and loud, and I was often leaning under the hood tinkering with stuff, which I guess in this cute little family neighborhood is somehow considered low-class. I also have tons of car parts in my garage which are visible when I open it to pull in and out. I don't see how that's a violation ... everyone else has lawn mowers, garden tools, boxes of crap, and trash filling their garages. Anyhow, I'm mad as anything now, and the worst thing is it's made me feel even worse about myself in general since I did let the grass slip and left the oil pan out. It's really frustrating when you're struggling in general and you let something slide just a bit, and there's someone right there waiting to report you to the authorities for it.
Lucky for my #^$%($ neighbor the 240D is staying with my mechanic now, and when I get it back is going to my dad's place, where the community has "lower standards."
Sorry for the rant. No where else to whine at 3:30 in the morning.

LUVMBDiesels · #2 06-23-2009, 06:47 AM

First of all that sucks!

I hate neighbors especially when you act right and let little things slide and they repay you like this.

If somebody is going to inspect your place for violations watch out! I had one of my houses "inspected" in NJ and he found things like 'slow drains' improperly attached moldings, improperly maintained lawn, etc -- all this on a house that had just been rehabbed. It all went away when I brought his attention to the $100 bill on the ground that he "must have dropped"

I don't know about your area, but it might come to paying the guy off.

If it was me, I would start making a list of the things in my neighbor's yards and start calling the county on them. You can probably tell who called the county by seeing who is there watching when the inspector shows up...

As for working on your Benz ( and it IS a Mercedes, not a Pinto so it is classy by definition) Check the local ordinances regarding working on cars. Some places actually ban this activity. If you are 'allowed' to work on your cars, then keep doing it. Run some Diesel Purge through them all and enjoy the look on your neighbors faces when you blacken the sky!

BobK · #3 06-23-2009, 07:27 AM

Do not let them in. Make them produce the report of violation citing exactly what was in violation and do not let them look into anything else. Close and lock the doors and windows. Close the curtains so they cannot see into the house. Close and lock the garage, again pulling curtains on any windows. If they are on ya about the grass, get the precipitation report for each day going back 30-60 days (not safe to mow in the rain and it makes grass grow quicker). See if you can get a copy of the report in advance. File a freedom-of-information request if your state has that law.

SwampYankee · #4 06-23-2009, 07:34 AM

Sorry to hear that, Bodhi! That does suck. You wouldn't think a little communication about the matter before escalating it to reporting it would be too much to ask. Is the neighborhood primarily renters or is it a mix of owners/renters? I always mind my own business until someone decides to meddle in mine, that said I'd be stolling the neighborhood with notepad in hand jotting down violations as soon as the inspector leaves.

I'm surprised they give you a week. Ours just shows up, mails you the findings and gives you a date to correct or justify the violation.

Hatterasguy · #5 06-23-2009, 08:02 AM

Wow that sucks, can't say I have ever had that problem.

Now go report every single one of your neighbors, but first see who is watching when the guy shows up.

Squabble · #6 06-23-2009, 08:02 AM

this is something i don't understand and am not familiar with. i've never seen this kind of stuff until i started reading posts here. where do you have to live to have this "neighborhood authority" that can cite "violations?" i grew up in a small town and moved on to a bigger but still small city and there have never been any sort of neighborhood watchdogs who look for aesthetic issues like these. in fact, most of my "neighbors" (at least 1/2 mile away) have many cars in their yards (and four wheelers, and kids toys, and appliances) and 1. who cares? and 2. even if someone wanted to complain, there is no one to complain to. unless you break the law (burn garbage, dump used oil in your yard, violate a noise ordinance, etc.) there is nothing anyone can say about what you do because it's YOUR property.

i would just move if i was at the mercy of my neighbors. i find most people to be gossipy and overly concerned with other people's business to ever put myself at the mercy of their bad tastes and judgement calls. bored old ladies, jealous souls, and bitter losers would most likely use this abuse a system like this to entertain themselves or get annonymous revenge for petty instances that occur in every day life. it seems to encourage non-neighborlyness and cowardice. if i have a problem, let's say with my farmer neighbors kids 4 wheeling too late at night and keeping me up (it's happened), the next day i just call or go down there and very neighborly tell him about it. who likes the authorities enough to get them involved in anything?

i don't get it. my property / your property. do as you wish.

MS Fowler · #7 06-23-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squabble

this is something i don't understand and am not familiar with. i've never seen this kind of stuff until i started reading posts here. where do you have to live to have this "neighborhood authority" that can cite "violations?" i grew up in a small town and moved on to a bigger but still small city and there have never been any sort of neighborhood watchdogs who look for aesthetic issues like these. in fact, most of my "neighbors" (at least 1/2 mile away) have many cars in their yards (and four wheelers, and kids toys, and appliances) and 1. who cares? and 2. even if someone wanted to complain, there is no one to complain to. unless you break the law (burn garbage, dump used oil in your yard, violate a noise ordinance, etc.) there is nothing anyone can say about what you do because it's YOUR property.

i would just move if i was at the mercy of my neighbors. i find most people to be gossipy and overly concerned with other people's business to ever put myself at the mercy of their bad tastes and judgement calls. bored old ladies, jealous souls, and bitter losers would most likely use this abuse a system like this to entertain themselves or get annonymous revenge for petty instances that occur in every day life. it seems to encourage non-neighborlyness and cowardice. if i have a problem, let's say with my farmer neighbors kids 4 wheeling too late at night and keeping me up (it's happened), the next day i just call or go down there and very neighborly tell him about it. who likes the authorities enough to get them involved in anything?

i don't get it. my property / your property. do as you wish.

The purpose of a Home-Owner's Association is to allow petty people to control what goes on in other peoples' property.

LUVMBDiesels · #8 06-23-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

The purpose of a Home-Owner's Association is to allow petty people to control what goes on in other peoples' property.

This is why I will never buy into a place with a HOA. I had enough trouble with my condo board when Ilived in a townhouse to ever go through that again!

I think where Bodhi lives the town encourages this behavior not any HOA.

It only brings bad feelings and thoughts of revenge (and revenue to the town in the case of increased fines)

Zeus · #9 06-23-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BodhiBenz1987

... this is really just a rant, but man am I ticked. At about midnight while I was at work tonight, I get an e-mail from my landlady saying she got a letter from the county saying someone had reported code violations on my property. Our county has an anonymous program where anyone can report anyone. Basically it was just a warning saying an inspector will be over on June 30 and if any violations are found, I will be fined ... it did not specify the violations reported. My landlady was pretty mad in the e-mail, saying she's disappointed I'd let the property get as bad as the letter suggests. Here's the thing: Other then the grass getting really long for a while and one pan of oil sitting on my front porch, I can't for the life of me understand why someone would report me. I mowed the grass about two weeks ago, about a week before the report was filed ... so it didn't look that bad. The oil pan, I'll admit was trashy of me ... but I was going to dispose of it tomorrow (instead I just did it now, at 3 a.m.). But really? Calling the county? Nobody knocked on my door and asked if I could clean it up. Nobody left me a polite note on the door, or even a downright nasty note on the door. Am I wrong to find that a little tasteless? I haven't had anyone say anything to me in the past year and a half about my lawn, cars, etc. and haven't had a beef with anyone. I rarely see my neighbors because I work night shifts so I'm gone all evening and asleep most of the day. Other people's yards sometime get overgrown, and some have toys, trashcans, hoses, etc. in the yards.
I'm wondering if this person has a problem with my car hobby ... I had the 240D parked out front, on the street, where others park too. But it was old and loud, and I was often leaning under the hood tinkering with stuff, which I guess in this cute little family neighborhood is somehow considered low-class. I also have tons of car parts in my garage which are visible when I open it to pull in and out. I don't see how that's a violation ... everyone else has lawn mowers, garden tools, boxes of crap, and trash filling their garages. Anyhow, I'm mad as anything now, and the worst thing is it's made me feel even worse about myself in general since I did let the grass slip and left the oil pan out. It's really frustrating when you're struggling in general and you let something slide just a bit, and there's someone right there waiting to report you to the authorities for it.
Lucky for my #^$%($ neighbor the 240D is staying with my mechanic now, and when I get it back is going to my dad's place, where the community has "lower standards."
Sorry for the rant. No where else to whine at 3:30 in the morning.

That sucks. I hate people who don't have the guts to simply come and talk to you. They'd rather hide behind the authorities. If you perpetually kept your property in bad shape that is one thing...if you let it slide once in a while due to being busy...not a big deal. Who doesn't get caught up in work occasionally?

That said, I would NEVER live anywhere where there is a HOA or any of that crap. People get so uptight about stupid things.

Henceforth, let it be known that all properties will keep lawn grass mown such that the lawn surface is perfectly 3.25" high, and 80% Kentucky Bluegrass per volume of turf density, and if this is exceeded, the Designated Authorities and Members of the Bored will fill your breakfast bowl with Bermuda grass seed and you will have to eat it, with no sugar.

If I own my property, I'll do what I like on it. Like someone else has posted, there aren't many HOAs around here but I think they are starting to pop up. I could never live in that kind of neighbourhood.

catmandoo62 · #10 06-23-2009, 08:41 AM

i live in a small town of about 3-400 thats somewhat a suburb of a town of about 12-15000. and in the last year have had the sheriff show up three times because of cars in the yard.all 3 time it was about the kids car.first time he was in the big city him and 3 buddies were setting in his car.the wind came up and blew a tree over,right on top of his car.they were trapped in the car for about an hour til the city showed up and cut the tree up.anyway it smashed the roof and took out the back window.so we just got some plastic and made a back window.now i might add that he drove it every couple days so its not like it was setting.anyway the sheriff shows up and says we have a junk car in the yard.we had to go to the city hall with registration and ins to prove it was licensed. the next time he had a fuel leak on his acura right in front of the back tire so he had it up on the jack.got some hose but didn't get back to it that day.next day he fixed it and off he went.2 weeks later here comes the sheriff again saying we have a car in the yard up on jacks.funny thing there is my 36ft 5th wheel was now setting where his car was.sheriff was kinda dumbfounded,third time was about a month ago the acura was setting out by the end of the driveway.the kid got sent off and wanted us to sell it so i put it next to the driveway.this time the sheriff says we have a car parked on the grass.i finally got fed up and took it out to my buddies farm and set it out by the road.now my camper is setting in the exact same spot but they don't say anything about it setting on the grass.somebody evidently doesn't like the kid.and i think i know who the a-hole is.according to the city ordinance the city clerk showed me you can not park on the grass.by park it is defined as setting with the engine off.well half the town is guilty of that yet nobody else gets visits from the sheriff.if i could find a house we both liked i'd move in a second.

BodhiBenz1987 · #11 06-23-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

I think where Bodhi lives the town encourages this behavior not any HOA.

Yep, actually it's the county. My neighborhood does not even have an HOA. In my county you can call (or fill out a nice simple online form) and report anyone ... you just give the county the address in question, the violations you think you see, and your name, address and phone number ... and they will send a warning letter and then inspect that property. So any idiot with a petty problem or who simply wants to cause a nuisance for someone they don't care for can just go to the county Web site and file a complaint. County started this program about a year and a half ago to boost $$$$$ from fines.

I spent the whole night/morning making my yard perfect (not quite) and messing up the mower in the wet grass. It has rained for three weeks straight here, almost literally. I do no think there have been two straight days without rain so far this month. I think most people here pay to have their tiny lawns mowed and the mowing guys can come when there's a little window of good weather/dryness. My day is 8 hours offset from a normal day because of my job ... so my "free time" is from 2-6 a.m. Maybe I should start mowing at 4 a.m. three times a week.

Hopefully this won't result in any fines. I'm hoping to move out anyway ... my lease ended last month so I'm in limbo now anyway waiting for my landlady to decide what she wants to do with the house. There are some really nice people here, and it's very safe, but unfortunately I can't take the pressure to have a perfect little pretty home all the time. Plus there's not enough room for cars here.

kerry · #12 06-23-2009, 09:03 AM

I've had similar things happen on my block. In those situations, there seem to be a couple of dynamics. Either a neighbor dislikes another neighbor for a petty reason and is using the city authorities to harass them, or a neighbor thinks everything on the block should be exactly as he or she wants it, and if there is anything outside the bounds of their 'aesthetic' sense, they call the city to harass the person. Once the two guys next door with the strong aesthetic sense moved away, the harassment diminished.
Don't take it personally and be thankful that your life is fulfilling enough that you don't have to meddle in other people's affairs to make it interesting.

G-Benz · #13 06-23-2009, 09:08 AM

I live in a neighborhood with an HOA...my only peeve so far is the stupid semi-annual dues, but we don't have anal residents waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting homeowner who briefly lapsed on weekly yard maintenance or something.

Bohdi, I'm playing "devils advocate" here, as I noticed that you were able to cite possible infractions on your own, without knowing the true intent of the code violations. In this day and age, especially in a neighborhood with owners and renters who know little of one another, it's never a good idea to confront someone, lest you leave with a bullet lodged in your butt cheek!

And housing values have plummeted to the point that not only is it difficult to get your money's worth in this economy, but any negative impact in the surrounding area adds to the frustration.

While you may not see much harm in your activities (which you have every right to perform on your property), some folks see it as a potential to escalate such...you are just wrenching on your car, someone else sees this as next week, three more MBs will sit idle on your lot, while engines and trannies lay strewn across the front yard.

The lack of yard maintenance for a brief period may not have been the issue...I believe the tinkering got you the citing...the high grass might have set off the impression that more lackluster habits would follow.

And yeah, it sucks...folks are selective when it comes down to what is found abhorrent. Got dogs that won't stop barking at all hours of the day and night? No problem. Try to keep an aging vehicle in good working order in plain sight? BIG PROBLEM!

Seeking revenge and trying to "out" the source won't do you any good though...move on, keep your yard mowed, and work on your car in the garage or driveway.

Honus · #14 06-23-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobK

Do not let them in. Make them produce the report of violation citing exactly what was in violation and do not let them look into anything else. Close and lock the doors and windows. Close the curtains so they cannot see into the house. Close and lock the garage, again pulling curtains on any windows. If they are on ya about the grass, get the precipitation report for each day going back 30-60 days (not safe to mow in the rain and it makes grass grow quicker). See if you can get a copy of the report in advance. File a freedom-of-information request if your state has that law.

That approach might work, but it is sure to raise all sorts of alarms with the inspector. Another approach would be to go to the County office and speak with the person in charge of investigating code violations. Show them that you want to rectify whatever is wrong, but you are not sure what the complaint is. My experience is that inspectors go easy on people who show that they are acting in good faith.

RichC · #15 06-23-2009, 10:03 AM

We have one of those neighbors.

Ours likes to shoot guns in his back yard.
In the subdivision.
He is retaliating because he got called in for that.

I just had to renew a building permit because he called in.
Had to move some cars a while back because he called.

One neighbor had to tear down his garage because of it.

The dude thinks he is a real big shot in this little town I live in.
Big fish in a small pond kind of stuff.

I hope he gets it all out of his system soon.
Gotta love childish adults....