How to deal with filthy neighbors..

Brazilll

So.. I need some opinions here.

I live in a neighborhood where the vast majority of the homes are well maintained, people display a pride of home owbership here. Unfortunately my neighbors are the exception. Their home looks abandonded from the outside. The plants in the backyard are overgrown and manage to make their way over the 12 foot high concrete wall dividing our backyards. There are CONSTANTLY stereoid roaches (I call them this because they are so large that they defy the laws of science) climbing up the exterior walls of their home. There are cats, and I mean lots of them. I've seen their backyard. It's got broken down lawn mowers, car parts, and a wide variety of rubbish. I've offered to help them paint the exterior and lend a hand in cleaning up their yard. I find myself cleaning up the front area from time to time. (Mostly when it gets to the point where it's making its way onto my property)

I've looked for resources online as far as finding someone I can call (like what would be your HOA here in Puerto Rico) but it seems every where I call can't help me out. They kind of put it like, it's t heir home, their problem. The thing is, not only is the home an eye sore, but there are foul odors, lots of flies and other insects and it just overall seems like a breeding zone for all disease carrying lifeforms. I'm not comfortable letting my 3 year old play on OUR backyard because of the condition of our
neighbors place. Aside from moving or buying a flame thrower.. (kidding) what else can I do?

SheilaG1963

Do you have a health department? Sounds like a health hazard to me.

Brazilll

Do you have a health department? Sounds like a health hazard to me.

I've called "Municipio" which covers basically all community issues, they asked if there were children living in the home, which there are not. They said they'd take down the info and "check it out" but it's been over six months.

asaw00

Keep trying!! Call once a week if you have to. They might go to look at it just to get you to stop calling, and if its bad they'll do something about it. Good luck!! the flame thrower isn't a bad idea!!

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

Do you have a health department? Sounds like a health hazard to me.

I've called "Municipio" which covers basically all community issues, they asked if there were children living in the home, which there are not. They said they'd take down the info and "check it out" but it's been over six months.

You have to harass them if you actually want something done.

krhn

Great way to start would be the good old soap, recommend some to them!

Kimaw65

since there are no children do you have something like adult protective services. If you do, maybe they can get involved because it totally sounds like unsanitary living conditions

Brazilll

Keep trying!! Call once a week if you have to. They might go to look at it just to get you to stop calling, and if its bad they'll do something about it. Good luck!! the flame thrower isn't a bad idea!!

Good point. I have made a few calls but I could always be more diligent. I have been known to pour bottles of bleach along the border of their backyard. *shudders* how can people be so filthy. Bleh.

Brazilll

since there are no children do you have something like adult protective services. If you do, maybe they can get involved because it totally sounds like unsanitary living conditions

Puerto Rico seems to be pretty limited on resources. All complaints go through said "Municipio". Their website looks lke it was updated around the time of Y2K.

jojo37696

Maybe you can get them on the pet issues. Do you have an animal control center. If they are living in that filth then they are being abused. Roaches is a health issue for the occupants as well as the neighborhood. Other than that call every week. They will get so sick of hearing from you that they will do something. Good luck

Brazilll

Maybe you can get them on the pet issues. Do you have an animal control center. If they are living in that filth then they are being abused. Roaches is a health issue for the occupants as well as the neighborhood. Other than that call every week. They will get so sick of hearing from you that they will do something. Good luck

The cats are strays, i'm sure they go there to dine on mice and roaches, *yum*. We've got a horrible issue here as far as strays, but that is a whole new can of worms. I'm just going to have to harrass the folks over at municipio it seems. Thanks, this has been a nightmare. I even offered to pay for extermination services.

melindasuefritz

Do you have a health department? Sounds like a health hazard to me.

maiaroman18

Do you have a health department? Sounds like a health hazard to me.

I've called "Municipio" which covers basically all community issues, they asked if there were children living in the home, which there are not. They said they'd take down the info and "check it out" but it's been over six months.

You have to harass them if you actually want something done.

I have neighbors like this. I've had to call the health department and the zoning department. I kept calling until they came out.

billsica

I read this as flirty neighbors.

Hmm that changes things. Call up one of the hoarders shows. I'm sure they would send the TV crew your way! Id think about calling the cops on them repeatedly if it was my kids health at stake.

haroon_awan

Let me tell you a story.

There was a young man who was on trial for a crime he did not commit. He was found guilty and condemned to two life sentences in prison. After, two years in prison, he wrote a letter to the State Senate asking for funding to buy a few books for the prison library. He received no response from the Senate, but kept writing.

A year passed with no response. Two years passed with no response, and yet he kept writing a letter a week.

After three years he still wrote a letter a week. Four years passed but the Senate was unwilling to fund the prison library. Five years and nothing - so kept writing and kept writing. Six years later, with over 300 hundred letters sent, he received this response:

"Dear Mr Dufresne,
In response to your repeated inquiries, the State Senate has allocated the enclosed funds ($200) for your library project. In addition, the Library District has generously responded with a charitable donation of used books and sundries. We trust this will fill your needs. We now consider the matter closed. Please stop sending us letters.
Yours truly,
the State Comptroller's Office."

Keep sending your letters and keep making those calls

SaBh93

Call the health authority.

Also, if it is encroaching on your property (as you say it is), you can potentially send them a letter saying you are considering to sue them with a nuisance lawsuit (well, you can in England).. Should get them working.

PlayerHatinDogooder

I would move or purchase a flame thrower.

Seriously.

AZKristi

This is why we live in a community with a property owners association... If you do not have an HOA to address this, your local government probably has codes addressing all of these issues. Look for a neighborhood services or code enforcement department on their website and submit complaints.

ninerbuff

Let me tell you a story.

There was a young man who was on trial for a crime he did not commit. He was found guilty and condemned to two life sentences in prison. After, two years in prison, he wrote a letter to the State Senate asking for funding to buy a few books for the prison library. He received no response from the Senate, but kept writing.

A year passed with no response. Two years passed with no response, and yet he kept writing a letter a week.

After three years he still wrote a letter a week. Four years passed but the Senate was unwilling to fund the prison library. Five years and nothing - so kept writing and kept writing. Six years later, with over 300 hundred letters sent, he received this response:

"Dear Mr Dufresne,
In response to your repeated inquiries, the State Senate has allocated the enclosed funds ($200) for your library project. In addition, the Library District has generously responded with a charitable donation of used books and sundries. We trust this will fill your needs. We now consider the matter closed. Please stop sending us letters.
Yours truly,
the State Comptroller's Office."

Keep sending your letters and keep making those calls

This was a fictional movie though. Not saying that sending letters won't help, but the result was part of the story.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ninerbuff

Living outside of the US, CASH seems to get everything moving with authorities.:laugh:

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

DavPul

i used to be a liberal pacifist, but the MFP forums have taught me the error of my ways. jogging shorts handle all problems

trud72

you could always white lie to them and say you look after children a lot...

ring them daily don't let up.. good luck x

ClementineGeorg

Since every solution I had in mind was already told...

If you have a local or national television with specialises in `shocking` stories, you can give them a call and convince them to make a story about your neighbours. Eventually the municipality would have to respond on the media harrasing.

In my country, it seems to work. There are almost everyday stories on the news about filthy neighbours... the municipality does nothing... but when the media gets involved, the health department, along with the municipality, the fire department, animal protection ONGs, everyone comes there and does something. :laugh:

And some people wonder why I don't love my country...

Doodlewhopper

When dealing with bureaucrats always get their name & ask how to spell it. Instead of threatening them, be friendly, but right after getting their name, casually ask, today is May 26, right? Youve just got the bureaucrats attention. They know you are keeping records and they are no longer anonymous.

After getting no results, then ask to speak with their superior. Explain the situation and again, get the name and write it down with the day's date.

Next stop is to contact your city councilman (or elected official) and review your notes with him. Be polite but persistent.

whierd

There may be a possibility you could pursue a civil lawsuit against them for lowering your property value. This should be used as a last resort.

sam308lbs

how about you go ever and say this "My shower is broken.I would love to use your's :drinker: if you could just clean up the place a little bit"

ninerbuff

Could always try the "Tin Men" approach:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXBgEpUlPVg

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

BleedsCoffee

I actually had exactly this issue over a year ago. I was renting the lower apartment in a gorgeous red brick two-story home that had been divided into a duplex. The neighbourhood was wonderful and had very nice homes, but unfortunately, a rather unsavoury family moved in above me. Between throwing trash in the back yard, allowing their 3-4 dogs and cats to defecate all over the yard (and everyone else's) and their constant screaming and swearing matches, it didn't didn't take long for my neighbours to start speaking to me about the issue, asking that I do something about them. I contacted the property management company that maintains the house and was advised that it'd be looked into.

The screaming and swearing went on. The number of pets increased. The amount of trash in the back yard increased. Random people moved in with them and back out. My neighbours called the police over their domestic disputes nearly weekly. The fire alarm in my apartment was linked to theirs and went off constantly due to their smoking (4-5 times a day). The smell of pet urine from their apartment was starting to seep down the vents into my place. I finally had enough and moved out last May. Before I did so, I passed the information for the property management company around the neighbourhood, so they could file a complaint if they chose to do so.

About two months ago, I ran into one of my old neighbours while grocery shopping. She told me that her husband had complained, she had complained, the entire neighbourhood had complained, both to the property management company and the city, and it took another 10 months for that particular family to pack it up and move.

I think they got lucky. Since your neighbours are the home owners, it may be a lot harder to incite them to leave. The best you can do is voice your concerns to your city, cross your fingers, and look the other way in the mean time.

Rosytakesoff

In my area, it would fall under code enforcement, but every municipality is different. I do agree with others in that you do have to be persistent.

You might also check to see if they are the homeowners or if the property is a rental. Here in my area, a landlord is ultimately responsible for his or her tenants, so if there is a landlord, find out who it is and complain strongly in writing. Do they seem, from what you have seen, physically able to perform upkeep? If not, perhaps there is a social service involved with whom you could join forces. Aside from being a health hazard to everyone else, it is to them as well.

AlongCame_Molly

Since you said you are willing to pay for extermination services, just call and send them over. When they say they didn't order it, have them tell your neighbors that it's already paid for, by an anonymous party. They'd have to be crazy to turn it down. (though from what I'm reading about them, they very well might be.)

timberowl

When dealing with bureaucrats always get their name & ask how to spell it. Instead of threatening them, be friendly, but right after getting their name, casually ask, today is May 26, right? Youve just got the bureaucrats attention. They know you are keeping records and they are no longer anonymous.

I really like this idea.