Is there any law that states we have to have a gardener keep our grass cut if we are waiting for a short-sale of our home?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is there any law that states we have to have a gardener keep our grass cut if we are waiting for a short-sale of our home?
We have left our home and are awaiting bank to foreclose on our home. Is there any law that states we have to have a gardener keep our grass cut? Our neighbor is complaining and the real estate agent we are using to try to short sell it says a local police officer is calling him about the neighbor’s complaints. We have been out of this house over a year already and bank still hasn’t auctioned off.
Asked on June 15, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Oregon
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
There are two possible bases for a legal obligation to cut the grass:
First, many towns--and almost all HOAs, if you're in a community with one--have rules, regulations, ordinances, etc. about having to cut the grass, maintaining the property, etc. If your municipality or community has such rules, you have to obey them and the neighbor can look to have them enforced againist you.
Second, even in the absence of the above, if the property becomes sufficiently ill kept and, possibly, a breeding ground for animals or unwanted vegetation, it's possible it would rise to the level of a "nuisance" which someone could bring a legal action to abate. It's usually a high threshold or bar for something to be considered a nuisance, but it is possible.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.