town home property encroachment
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Anyone that knows me, may be aware that at times, I may or may not have a not-so-rational hot temper. I'd like to think it's because I am wise and mature and all-knowing, well beyond my years. YMMV Well, yesterday I got hot tempered again with one of my neighbors, and I'd like to see the collective opinion of you guys if y'all think it was justified or not. I currently live in a town home, and my "backyard area" is shared among three units in particular. It's not a big enclosure, but you make do with what you have. Yesterday, the neighbor two units over (and sharing the backyard area) up and decided to put a huge-arse trampoline there that quite literally consumes just about all the available non-porch space in the backyard area for all three units. I wasn't a fan of these people to start with, but after seeing that (and considering this guy didn't even bother to ask the other two of us if that was ok), I pretty much lost it and banged on his door and let him have it. Granted, there's not much I can do after venting that's legal. So, now I'm calling the housing association for the town homes and so forth to get this resolved. So my question to CP is, considering the obvious disrespect for other people when taking up all their space without even asking, do y'all think I was out of line for banging on his door and letting him have it? I don't, but then again I'm not one known for keeping the peace.
Jeremy Falcon
I haven't read the other responses however: Given from what you have said about this neighbour this is probably not the first time they have done something like this I think it was fine to bang on their door. If they were civilised they would ask you first and I imagine if you were reasonable you would probably say something like "sure but could you take it down after two hours as I want to sit in the garden later this afternoon."
“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”
― Christopher Hitchens
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I haven't read the other responses however: Given from what you have said about this neighbour this is probably not the first time they have done something like this I think it was fine to bang on their door. If they were civilised they would ask you first and I imagine if you were reasonable you would probably say something like "sure but could you take it down after two hours as I want to sit in the garden later this afternoon."
“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”
― Christopher Hitchens
You are correct with that assumption, although I would've requested something reasonable in size for such a small area. This thing quite literally is the biggest trampoline I've ever seen. Just makes no sense to stick something that large in such a small space.
Jeremy Falcon
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Were voices raised?
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Yup, mine was.
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Was swearing involved?
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You know it. :)
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Any direct insults to his wife or children?
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Nope. It was man to man. Although I insulted him.
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Any threats of bodily harm?
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Nope
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Were any weapons drawn?
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Negative
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Did the word "lawyer" get muttered?
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No, but I did say I'd get the city involved if I had to.
Jeremy Falcon
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Then by my standards you handled it with grace and decorum. ;P
Contrary to popular belief, nobody owes you anything.
:-D :thumbsup:
Jeremy Falcon
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You are correct with that assumption, although I would've requested something reasonable in size for such a small area. This thing quite literally is the biggest trampoline I've ever seen. Just makes no sense to stick something that large in such a small space.
Jeremy Falcon
Just tell him that if it accidentally catches fire because it is encroaching on your smoke pit, you won't be held responsible. Also it may be blocking your Archery Range, but not to worry I am sure the arrows will pass harmlessly between anyone bouncing on the trampoline if you get the timing just right. If he can use all the area for a pastime then so can everyone else. BTW: I never yell when I am angry at someone. In fact I do my best to not show my anger at all, I just make my point(s) in a quiet, calm manner. Some people have told me I am scary when I do this - maybe because I am British and all Americans think we are all secretly evil masterminds per Hollywood stereotypes! Obviously, if you are an American this wouldn't work for you so the yelling (not in front of spouse and offspring) is probably the acceptable norm. PS. Casually carrying a gardening implement, such as a hoe, machete or axe can also help make sure they pay attention. Wear gardening gloves to enhance the impression that you were just recently working in the garden and not actually being threatening.
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
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Anyone that knows me, may be aware that at times, I may or may not have a not-so-rational hot temper. I'd like to think it's because I am wise and mature and all-knowing, well beyond my years. YMMV Well, yesterday I got hot tempered again with one of my neighbors, and I'd like to see the collective opinion of you guys if y'all think it was justified or not. I currently live in a town home, and my "backyard area" is shared among three units in particular. It's not a big enclosure, but you make do with what you have. Yesterday, the neighbor two units over (and sharing the backyard area) up and decided to put a huge-arse trampoline there that quite literally consumes just about all the available non-porch space in the backyard area for all three units. I wasn't a fan of these people to start with, but after seeing that (and considering this guy didn't even bother to ask the other two of us if that was ok), I pretty much lost it and banged on his door and let him have it. Granted, there's not much I can do after venting that's legal. So, now I'm calling the housing association for the town homes and so forth to get this resolved. So my question to CP is, considering the obvious disrespect for other people when taking up all their space without even asking, do y'all think I was out of line for banging on his door and letting him have it? I don't, but then again I'm not one known for keeping the peace.
Jeremy Falcon
I would have told him, "that as he already knows, what went up, must come down." Plus, you have to consider, that being a common area, you all may be jointly liable if someone, probably a neighbourhood kid, injures themselves on it.
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I would have told him, "that as he already knows, what went up, must come down." Plus, you have to consider, that being a common area, you all may be jointly liable if someone, probably a neighbourhood kid, injures themselves on it.
Matthew Dennis wrote:
Plus, you have to consider, that being a common area, you all may be jointly liable if someone, probably a neighbourhood kid, injures themselves on it.
Excellent point.
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Depends. You've got a right to be peeved the bloke should have asked you. But the fact it's a Trampoline suggests he probably has very small kids, like me. If you had come round my house banging on my door and shouting at me I would probably hit you (as long as your not big and muscly or anything). If you knocked on my door politely and addressed your concerns to me politely, I would likely apologise profusely for not taking your needs into account and take it down immediately or come to an amicable arrangement in order to keep it up.
P0mpey3 wrote:
If you knocked on my door politely and addressed your concerns to me politely, I would likely apologise profusely for not taking your needs into account and take it down immediately or come to an amicable arrangement in order to keep it up.
Exactly. :thumbsup:
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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Anyone that knows me, may be aware that at times, I may or may not have a not-so-rational hot temper. I'd like to think it's because I am wise and mature and all-knowing, well beyond my years. YMMV Well, yesterday I got hot tempered again with one of my neighbors, and I'd like to see the collective opinion of you guys if y'all think it was justified or not. I currently live in a town home, and my "backyard area" is shared among three units in particular. It's not a big enclosure, but you make do with what you have. Yesterday, the neighbor two units over (and sharing the backyard area) up and decided to put a huge-arse trampoline there that quite literally consumes just about all the available non-porch space in the backyard area for all three units. I wasn't a fan of these people to start with, but after seeing that (and considering this guy didn't even bother to ask the other two of us if that was ok), I pretty much lost it and banged on his door and let him have it. Granted, there's not much I can do after venting that's legal. So, now I'm calling the housing association for the town homes and so forth to get this resolved. So my question to CP is, considering the obvious disrespect for other people when taking up all their space without even asking, do y'all think I was out of line for banging on his door and letting him have it? I don't, but then again I'm not one known for keeping the peace.
Jeremy Falcon
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Anyone that knows me, may be aware that at times, I may or may not have a not-so-rational hot temper. I'd like to think it's because I am wise and mature and all-knowing, well beyond my years. YMMV Well, yesterday I got hot tempered again with one of my neighbors, and I'd like to see the collective opinion of you guys if y'all think it was justified or not. I currently live in a town home, and my "backyard area" is shared among three units in particular. It's not a big enclosure, but you make do with what you have. Yesterday, the neighbor two units over (and sharing the backyard area) up and decided to put a huge-arse trampoline there that quite literally consumes just about all the available non-porch space in the backyard area for all three units. I wasn't a fan of these people to start with, but after seeing that (and considering this guy didn't even bother to ask the other two of us if that was ok), I pretty much lost it and banged on his door and let him have it. Granted, there's not much I can do after venting that's legal. So, now I'm calling the housing association for the town homes and so forth to get this resolved. So my question to CP is, considering the obvious disrespect for other people when taking up all their space without even asking, do y'all think I was out of line for banging on his door and letting him have it? I don't, but then again I'm not one known for keeping the peace.
Jeremy Falcon
Yes. You should have asked him calmly to move it.
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Anyone that knows me, may be aware that at times, I may or may not have a not-so-rational hot temper. I'd like to think it's because I am wise and mature and all-knowing, well beyond my years. YMMV Well, yesterday I got hot tempered again with one of my neighbors, and I'd like to see the collective opinion of you guys if y'all think it was justified or not. I currently live in a town home, and my "backyard area" is shared among three units in particular. It's not a big enclosure, but you make do with what you have. Yesterday, the neighbor two units over (and sharing the backyard area) up and decided to put a huge-arse trampoline there that quite literally consumes just about all the available non-porch space in the backyard area for all three units. I wasn't a fan of these people to start with, but after seeing that (and considering this guy didn't even bother to ask the other two of us if that was ok), I pretty much lost it and banged on his door and let him have it. Granted, there's not much I can do after venting that's legal. So, now I'm calling the housing association for the town homes and so forth to get this resolved. So my question to CP is, considering the obvious disrespect for other people when taking up all their space without even asking, do y'all think I was out of line for banging on his door and letting him have it? I don't, but then again I'm not one known for keeping the peace.
Jeremy Falcon
Well, I don't know your neighbor and I don't know how often you go into your garden, but personally I'd "knocked" on his door and said something like "That's a nice looking trampoline you've got there... Takes up a little space..." See how he responds, perhaps at this point he already starts apologizing and asking if it's alright or else he'd take it away. If he doesn't perhaps continue like "You know, it wouldn't hurt asking your neighbors if they'd mind such a large trampoline in their garden..." He probably knows he's wrong, you know he's wrong, your other neighbors know he's wrong. Nothing can really justify taking up all of your shared garden space. But now you've gone and made an ass of yourself, shouting and cursing at him. And now you're both wrong :)
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
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Well, I don't know your neighbor and I don't know how often you go into your garden, but personally I'd "knocked" on his door and said something like "That's a nice looking trampoline you've got there... Takes up a little space..." See how he responds, perhaps at this point he already starts apologizing and asking if it's alright or else he'd take it away. If he doesn't perhaps continue like "You know, it wouldn't hurt asking your neighbors if they'd mind such a large trampoline in their garden..." He probably knows he's wrong, you know he's wrong, your other neighbors know he's wrong. Nothing can really justify taking up all of your shared garden space. But now you've gone and made an ass of yourself, shouting and cursing at him. And now you're both wrong :)
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
The problem with that approach is that if it had a chance of working, the neighbour wouldn't have put up the trampoline without asking in the first hand. :sigh:
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
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The problem with that approach is that if it had a chance of working, the neighbour wouldn't have put up the trampoline without asking in the first hand. :sigh:
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
You never know... At least you've tried to solve it friendly. If the neighbor refuses to take away his trampoline at least you're not the jackass for cursing at him. And let's be honest, if someone shouts and curses at you like hell you're going to move your trampoline! You want him to move his trampoline and shouting and cursing is probably the worst approach to try and reach that goal...
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
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P0mpey3 wrote:
he probably has very small kids, like me
Are you saying you're a small kid?
I needed that. :thumbsup:
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P0mpey3 wrote:
he probably has very small kids, like me
Are you saying you're a small kid?
That's definitely how I read it. :laugh:
The United States invariably does the right thing, after having exhausted every other alternative. -Winston Churchill America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between. -Oscar Wilde Wow, even the French showed a little more spine than that before they got their sh*t pushed in.[^] -Colin Mullikin
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If he placed it in communal space, then obviously it's for communal use and I'd be jumping on it. :badger: Wahoo!
For my own future reference, does CP also have a mushroom emoticon to go with the badger?
The United States invariably does the right thing, after having exhausted every other alternative. -Winston Churchill America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between. -Oscar Wilde Wow, even the French showed a little more spine than that before they got their sh*t pushed in.[^] -Colin Mullikin
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Anyone that knows me, may be aware that at times, I may or may not have a not-so-rational hot temper. I'd like to think it's because I am wise and mature and all-knowing, well beyond my years. YMMV Well, yesterday I got hot tempered again with one of my neighbors, and I'd like to see the collective opinion of you guys if y'all think it was justified or not. I currently live in a town home, and my "backyard area" is shared among three units in particular. It's not a big enclosure, but you make do with what you have. Yesterday, the neighbor two units over (and sharing the backyard area) up and decided to put a huge-arse trampoline there that quite literally consumes just about all the available non-porch space in the backyard area for all three units. I wasn't a fan of these people to start with, but after seeing that (and considering this guy didn't even bother to ask the other two of us if that was ok), I pretty much lost it and banged on his door and let him have it. Granted, there's not much I can do after venting that's legal. So, now I'm calling the housing association for the town homes and so forth to get this resolved. So my question to CP is, considering the obvious disrespect for other people when taking up all their space without even asking, do y'all think I was out of line for banging on his door and letting him have it? I don't, but then again I'm not one known for keeping the peace.
Jeremy Falcon
Too late to undo the shouting and cursing, but as long as you weren't threatening he doesn't have anything he can come after you with. Let's face it you are not going to be invited to his trampoline party or get a christmas card. Doesn't sound like someone who you would probably like to socialize with so there is no loss there. The HOA route is the only way to go. They will probably come over to take a look and tell him to remove it because there has been a complaint.
Once you lose your pride the rest is easy. In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you. – Buddha
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Just tell him that if it accidentally catches fire because it is encroaching on your smoke pit, you won't be held responsible. Also it may be blocking your Archery Range, but not to worry I am sure the arrows will pass harmlessly between anyone bouncing on the trampoline if you get the timing just right. If he can use all the area for a pastime then so can everyone else. BTW: I never yell when I am angry at someone. In fact I do my best to not show my anger at all, I just make my point(s) in a quiet, calm manner. Some people have told me I am scary when I do this - maybe because I am British and all Americans think we are all secretly evil masterminds per Hollywood stereotypes! Obviously, if you are an American this wouldn't work for you so the yelling (not in front of spouse and offspring) is probably the acceptable norm. PS. Casually carrying a gardening implement, such as a hoe, machete or axe can also help make sure they pay attention. Wear gardening gloves to enhance the impression that you were just recently working in the garden and not actually being threatening.
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
Forogar wrote:
maybe because I am British and all Americans think we are all secretly evil masterminds per Hollywood stereotypes!
I don't think it's really a secret... :laugh:
The United States invariably does the right thing, after having exhausted every other alternative. -Winston Churchill America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between. -Oscar Wilde Wow, even the French showed a little more spine than that before they got their sh*t pushed in.[^] -Colin Mullikin
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Just tell him that if it accidentally catches fire because it is encroaching on your smoke pit, you won't be held responsible. Also it may be blocking your Archery Range, but not to worry I am sure the arrows will pass harmlessly between anyone bouncing on the trampoline if you get the timing just right. If he can use all the area for a pastime then so can everyone else. BTW: I never yell when I am angry at someone. In fact I do my best to not show my anger at all, I just make my point(s) in a quiet, calm manner. Some people have told me I am scary when I do this - maybe because I am British and all Americans think we are all secretly evil masterminds per Hollywood stereotypes! Obviously, if you are an American this wouldn't work for you so the yelling (not in front of spouse and offspring) is probably the acceptable norm. PS. Casually carrying a gardening implement, such as a hoe, machete or axe can also help make sure they pay attention. Wear gardening gloves to enhance the impression that you were just recently working in the garden and not actually being threatening.
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
Forogar wrote:
BTW: I never yell when I am angry at someone. In fact I do my best to not show my anger at all, I just make my point(s) in a quiet, calm manner. Some people have told me I am scary when I do this - maybe because I am British and all Americans think we are all secretly evil masterminds per Hollywood stereotypes! Obviously, if you are an American this wouldn't work for you so the yelling (not in front of spouse and offspring) is probably the acceptable norm.
:laugh:
Jeremy Falcon
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Well, I don't know your neighbor and I don't know how often you go into your garden, but personally I'd "knocked" on his door and said something like "That's a nice looking trampoline you've got there... Takes up a little space..." See how he responds, perhaps at this point he already starts apologizing and asking if it's alright or else he'd take it away. If he doesn't perhaps continue like "You know, it wouldn't hurt asking your neighbors if they'd mind such a large trampoline in their garden..." He probably knows he's wrong, you know he's wrong, your other neighbors know he's wrong. Nothing can really justify taking up all of your shared garden space. But now you've gone and made an ass of yourself, shouting and cursing at him. And now you're both wrong :)
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
Sander Rossel wrote:
But now you've gone and made an ass of yourself, shouting and cursing at him. And now you're both wrong
I know you're right man. I can't go back in time, but I'm gonna try to handle it the right way now at least.
Jeremy Falcon
