Should neighbors be held responsible for keeping property at community standards?

[jbombelli]

I have a small wetlands area on my property. I wonder if I don't drain it, and pirates infest it then swarm over my neighbors property, raping, pillaging and forcing people to walk the plank at cutlass-point?

Yaarrrgh. Shiver me timbers.

'Tis the Black Spot for this thread.

 

[Fletch]

Agreed, but only if they are pet mice, anyone sick and twisted enough to keep a mouse alive long enough to keep it as a pet should be put in prison.

Or shot in the head? What if all you want to do is pet them cuz they're soft?

 

[hornadylnl]

If my neighbor let's his property go so that it is an obvious real problem that isn't temporary, it has hurt the value of my property. Anyone that denies that either knows nothing about real estate or they are ... well you know. So I have been harmed. I live in the city limits of my town. You must keep your lawn mowed and your house can not have peeling paint. I think it is reasonable. They aren't picky about it, they give plenty of time to make corrections. But the City has an interest in keeping houses neat and clean as well.

Do they inspect the interior of your home every week?

It's attitudes like this that I've given up on this country. Most all of us on here like to talk a big game of liberty but are all too willing to point the government gun at another when it suits them.

 

[K_W]

Even though I believe in property rights, I voted yes based on my current situation (nice older neighborhood). I wouldn't want my neighbor fixing/storing stranger's cars in his driveway/front lawn, 50 feet from my door. If I lived in a more secluded area, I couldn't care less what my neighbor did in his yard.

I also happen to part of the "government" of my neighborhood (crime watch captain) and I hear all kinds of complaints at the meetings that really should be dealt with in private. Everything from 3 antique gas pumps on someones front porch to chickens running loose to someone's mailbox is crooked.

In my parent's neighborhood in Carmel you couldn't have a satellite dish of any size anywhere on you property until 2000, you can't customize your mail box AT ALL, and you can't have decorative lights or sculptures except for around an appropriate holiday. Plus, you're in a world of hurt if you ever put vinyl siding on your home.

 

[public servant]

I'd be interested to see the age make up of those who would let their property go to hell and not give it a second thought as to how it affects someone else. As well as if they rent or own.

 

[rambone]

Even though I believe in property rights, I voted yes based on my current situation (nice older neighborhood). I wouldn't want my neighbor fixing/storing stranger's cars in his driveway/front lawn, 50 feet from my door.

These two sentences are incredibly contradictory. We are beyond the presumptions of public safety. Now we are pushing our preferences on people. That is like saying "I dont believe in socialism, but I think the government should control health care."

This topic really separated the men from the boys, regarding Liberty.

 

[K_W]

These two sentences are incredibly contradictory. We are beyond the presumptions of public safety. Now we are pushing our preferences on people. That is like saying "I dont believe in socialism, but I think the government should control health care."

This topic really separated the men from the boys, regarding Liberty.

The poll was not ideally worded, as stated before by previous posters.

As far as my answer, I chose to live in a neighborhood that has rules as to how I can maintain my property, so I am going to follow those rules, and I believe others who made that same choice should also. If I want to do as I please I will find somewhere where I can.

Same as not patronizing a business that bans guns, yet If i go into one that does, I respect their rules and expect others to do the same.

 

[rambone]

I chose to live in a neighborhood that has rules as to how I can maintain my property, so I am going to follow those rules, and I believe others who made that same choice should also. If I want to do as I please I will find somewhere where I can.

Is it a voluntary contract of an HOA, or an overzealous town board?

It makes all the difference.

 

[hornadylnl]

I'd be interested to see the age make up of those who would let their property go to hell and not give it a second thought as to how it affects someone else. As well as if they rent or own.

I'll be 34 next week. I've ownedy home for 11 years. I have one of the most well kept properties in my little white trad town. I don't have a putting green but it's kept up and the landscaping is very nice. But I still support the right of others to do with their land as they see fit.

My new house is on 17 acres of woods and 10 acres of farm ground. It's 350' from the road and even with the leaves down, it's hard to see my neighbor's house from accross the road. I'm putting in a sprinkler system for the 1/2 acre or so of actual grass that I'm going to have. Over the next few years, I'm going to put in concrete curbing, landscaping, etc. I'm sure my neighbors will have such a hard time looking at this eyesore.
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/hornadylnl/photo.jpg

 

[K_W]

Since you want to know, In my case it is a series of simple covenants written 50 years ago. We received the original abstract of title which contained inside these covenants, in short;

A. All streets except XXX are public and will be maintained in accordance with law.
B. All lots are residential and will contain no more than one building that may be used as a residence.
C. Lot and home size
D. Number of stories
E. No tents, shacks, trailers, or temporary buildings.
F. No tall fences.
G. No buildings or structures in front yards.
H. No houses over 2 stories or 20 feet from ground to eave lines.
I. Sets backyard size
J. Homeowners must maintain utility easements
K. Homeowners must maintain drainage easements
L. No livestock
M. No dumping/rubbish on properties
N. Who controls the covenants
O. No selling alcoholic beverages by the drink
P. Says who enforces covenants and till the time that they are abolished by 2/3 vote.
Q. All covenants listed are the only covenants and supercede all previous ones

Dated: November 8th, 1954

These are the rules I live buy and expect others in my neighborhood to do the same.

 

[Cemetery-man]

As a property owner...am I responsible to keep my yard and property up to a level acceptable by community standards?

Yes. Especially if the community has an ordinance concerning such. It is every potential property owner's responsibility to know and understand a communities property ordinances before you buy.

 

[public servant]

But I still support the right of others to do with their land as they see fit.

As do I...until their trash and laziness affect the value and sanitary conditions of what I own.

I have a very modest little place. It ain't much but it's mine...and the bank's for about 10 more years. One of these days I'd like to sell it and at least break even. But if prospective buyers have to drive past suburban rat farms and weed pastures...that likely won't happen.

If we all lived in the middle of 17 acres it wouldn't matter much. But we don't...unfortunately.

 

[gage]

The 'should' part kills me.

Do you have any concern about the community you live besides the concerns about yourself and how others may impact your property value?

Do you ever help shovel snow for neighbors less capable?
Do you ever help others with yard work or pick up trash around your neighborhood or ask to help with home repairs or do you just beech and whine about how things 'should' be.
It sounds like you think everyone 'should' have the same values and act like you. I think you 'should' be more smart than that.

If you are more invested in the appearance of your neighborhood than your neighbors then expect to do more...or move to a place with like minded folks.

Yes I think people should care about their property and community.
Home owners associations are for pansies. Pansies grow really good next to one another. . but they aren't the greatest added value for neighborhoods/communities.

I believe in knowing your neighbors and making compromises to live in shared space.

 

[NordicHeathenVinlander]

I believe that within certain neighborhoods, a standard ought to be maintained. I do believe a standard MUST be maintained if it starts to interfer with your neighbors on a case by case situation.


However, your property, you do as you please.

 

[Fletch]

I wonder... if I buy stock in a company, does my neighbor have a responsibility to support that company and buy its products so my stock appreciates?

 

[MinuteMan47]

But if prospective buyers have to drive past suburban rat farms and weed pastures...that likely won't happen.
.

A diamond in the rough.

 

[public servant]

A diamond in the rough.

It's all coal in Mars Hill.

 

[Jack Ryan]

If you buy in to an area with zoning you should have to abide the zoning regulations. They should not be allowed to alter the zoning regulations and enforce them on ANY property owner unless they get a 100% support vote by every property owner in support of any changes.

If there is no zoning when you buy property it should not be imposed with out 100% vote in support by every property owner affected.

 

[Fletch]

If you buy in to an area with zoning you should have to abide the zoning regulations. They should not be allowed to alter the zoning regulations and enforce them on ANY property owner unless they get a 100% support vote by every property owner in support of any changes.

If there is no zoning when you buy property it should not be imposed with out 100% vote in support by every property owner affected.

I knew there was a reason I liked you.

 

[Jack Ryan]

But what if the place you currently live in becomes such a place? What if half the neighborhood decides to hell with it? Don't you think that will affect your property values?

Roof tall weeds and grass is hardly a battle of aesthetics.

I'm all for it. Normally that means they went bankrupt and ran out leaving the bank to beg me to buy it. I may just buy a few pigs to help them out a little lowering the price and making sure no one else swoops in and cuts me out.

The worse it is, the cheaper I can be rid of them.