I was wondering if anyone can help me? Live on a "cul-de-sac " and the homes are relatively close together. Neighbors on one side moved and rented the house to family(sister) who when she first arrived had two kids ,now there are 8 people and an infant in the home .Cars coming all hours of the day and night ...literally blocking my driveway and while I realize we have relaxed the pot laws they are smoking it like it going out of style on the front porch and the back deck and it stinks . Trash everywhere ,we have a HOA but they say call the Police and Police say they aren't breaking any laws? It's going to kill my property value if we try to sell. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Help with Bad Neighbors ?
- Thread starter The Boss
- Start date
If the cars are blocking your driveway, they are absolutely breaking the law. AND your HOA is supposed to be dealing with unkempt properties - that's what they're for.
I feel for people with crappy neighbors. About the only thing you can do is become "that guy" who is always calling the cops, complaining about them to HOA, making their life as miserable as you can within the confines of the law. If you have contact information - phone or email - for the property owner, light them up on the regular. At some point they might get tired of you and do something, or the sister and her pals will move somewhere that you're not.
I feel for people with crappy neighbors. About the only thing you can do is become "that guy" who is always calling the cops, complaining about them to HOA, making their life as miserable as you can within the confines of the law. If you have contact information - phone or email - for the property owner, light them up on the regular. At some point they might get tired of you and do something, or the sister and her pals will move somewhere that you're not.
Rommey
Well-Known Member
Have you tried talking to them? Maybe they are oblivious to how their actions are affecting others.
I realize you might not want to be confrontational, but the direct method might be the quickest resolution. And it doesn't have to be contentious, as a simple conversation might be all it takes...let them know how you feel.
I realize you might not want to be confrontational, but the direct method might be the quickest resolution. And it doesn't have to be contentious, as a simple conversation might be all it takes...let them know how you feel.
glhs837
Power with Control
If the roads are not public roads, the blocking in might not be illegal, but an HOA issue. I would read the HOA agreement front to back, take note, chapter and verse. Most have limits on vehicle parking and rules concerning trash. HOAs are run by people, and some people are non-confrontational. The who;e point of one is to preserve property values by setting rules and enforcing them.
I have never met an HOA person who wasn't in that position specifically to get in everyone's business and make silly demands about their property. It's surprising that this particular HOA doesn't want to get involved - usually HOAs are filled with busybodies who have nothing better to do than come at you with a bunch of demands and threats.
glhs837
Power with Control
GWguy
*
This isn't the family SailorGirl was dealing with, was it? 
This was talked about recently, maybe you can glean something from this thread.
forums.somd.com
This was talked about recently, maybe you can glean something from this thread.
Better Way To Handle This
I live in an apartment that is an older home with four units. There is ample parking - more than 10 spots with plenty of options. I am home more than most of my neighbors and normally get the "best" spot closest to the sidewalk and all doors simply because it's nearly always available to me...
forums.somd.com
MD Transportation Code - § 21-1003(l) Standing or parking. -- A person may not stand or park a vehicle in front of a private driveway without the consent of the owner or occupant of the premises.
this is good to know!
Thanks everyone. Talking to them is not an option, over a year ago the former people had a party and this sister threw her trash (chicken dinner plate) on the street and my daughter said something and ....it got very very bad. 17 homes on the street and this one is the only one being a problem,I've talked to other neighbors but they don't want to get involved they are scared.
MiddleGround
Well-Known Member
Really make their day. Have 2 of your neighbors, at different times about 5-10 minutes apart, call the cops and tell them that they are openly using drugs with many people coming and going and that you thought you saw someone with a gun.
Sit back and watch
Sit back and watch
GWguy
*
I do feel your pain. Had some bad neighbors renting directly across the street from me. Loud and obnoxious, 2 teenage kids that were totally out of control. Fireworks landing on my roof, noise to all hours. I had enough one night when at 1am I was awoken by the most horrible screeching noise getting louder and louder. And then a BANG! Looked out the window, there was the neighbors car into a pole, front wheel missing (not from the accident, which is what was making the screeching), air bags deployed, engine smoking. I called it in. The kids were arrested for DUI, leaving the scene of an accident. They had driven a few miles without that front wheel. I was able to go out the next day and trace their route by following the marks in the road.
The whole fam damily finally moved out. New folks that moved in said the inside of the house was trashed, had to rebuild most of it.
PeoplesElbow
Well-Known Member
That sounds like a good story. Where I come from there are ways to take care of that sort of thing, but they will get you arrested here.
mitzi
Well-Known Member
I have no advice but have to say, I can't for the life of me understand why people think it's okay to block someone in their driveway. You could call the cops on that one. Say you needed to get out, couldn't, they wouldn't answer the door for you to ask them to move. Then tell the cops it happens all the time and what can you do.
littlelady
God bless the USA
I have never had bad neighbors in my entire lifetime of 64 years, That’s all.
LightRoasted
If I may ...
littlelady
God bless the USA
awpitt
Main Streeter
Well, let me be the first. I spent about five years on an HOA board a few years ago. I came on the board just as the builder/developer was loosing their vote because the neighborhood was reaching buildout. They had it to the point where they were telling people what color they could paint their front door. When I and other actual homeowners transitioned on to the board of directors, we changed a lot of the rules to make things more homeowner friendly.