Responsibilities of Property Owners Toward Neighbors
Unless you live on a farm, chances are that you have a few neighbors. A person has certain legal responsibilities to his neighbors. Some of these apply to all neighbors, while others are more applicable to those living in houses next to each other than in condos or apartments. These responsibilities are legally enforced but may change depending on local regulations.
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To Agree on a Boundary
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Neighbors must agree on where the defining line between property exists. Between two houses this usually is defined by a fence or similar boundary. Neighbors are required to respect that boundary and to only build, use or occupy land on their own side of the boundary. If this is disputed, it needs to be resolved by means of a survey or legal challenge. Alternatively, the landowners can simply meet and agree to a new boundary, such as a new fence where one did not exist previously.
To Keep Quiet
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Neighbors are required by law to keep noise at an acceptable level. This can be somewhat subjective when living in a house. It is more clear cut when living in apartments or condos where official quiet times are posted. In a house, you are expected to keep noise at a level where it does not disrupt the daily living activities of your neighbor, including sleep. If you throw a party that goes until 3 in the morning, your neighbor may make a noise complaint to the police.
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To Not Obstruct Views
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A neighbor might want a person to take down or trim a tree because it obstructs the view from her own property. In some jurisdictions, the law requires that people remove obstacles or avoid creating new ones that obstruct views. This usually only applies in locations where specific view ordinances or bylaws exist. Typically, you see these types of laws in locations where a special view is seen as part of the appeal or value of property in the area.
To Keep a Yard Clean
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Keeping a yard clean is part common courtesy and part law in some areas. Keeping your yard clean to make the whole neighborhood look good is something that most people should simply feel compelled to do. However, bad neighbors who let yards become completely overgrown or covered in trash may be violating locale statutes. If a neighbor lets a yard get too far out of control, he could be ordered by a court to clean the property.
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