How to deal with nuisance neighbors?
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How to deal with nuisance neighbors?
I bought a half a twin home 2 years ago. My next door neighbors turned out to be a huge nuisance. They continually slam their front door and party almost every night. They like to cause trouble. My vehicle was vandalized 4 times since we moved in here. Their is no law enforcement here. The state police say to contact the local township then the local township says to call the police. I am unable to enjoy my property because of my neighbors from hell. What can I do? Moving is not an option at the moment.
Asked on October 19, 2010 under Real Estate Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
There may not be any good solutions. If and when the neighbors violate some ordinance--e.g. make too much noise after a certain hour at night--you can call the police on them. You can install video cameras around your home, and particularly aimed at your car, to see if you can't capture footage of the vandals--then again, contact the police. If you can prove that the neighbors have vandalized your property, you could sue them. However, at the end of the day, as long the neighbors don't violate specific ordinances (such as noise level at certain times of day) and don't infringe physically on your property, there is little you can do about their propensity to throw parties, slam doors, etc. And the more you call the police on them, depending on their personalities, the more they may try to retaliate in ways that come just short of being actionable.
So you can try to enforce all codes, ordinances, etc. stringently, but that may escalate the situation and won't cure all the problems; or you can put up with matters; or you can move. If they own their half of the home (i.e. they are not your tenants), they have considerable freedom in how they live in it, just as you have considerable freedom in how you live you your half.
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