Trailer trash !

[Nursedebbie1]

I own a lake lot in an association that allows RV's on the lot. We have built a fire pit and enjoy camp fires. We are seasonal in Minnesota with fires a couple times per week when we are at the lake.

Recently, a neighbor (who lives in a home next door year round). Approached our property past dark. He began ranting and raving about our fires....claims his wife cannot hang clothes out, nor can they keep their windows open on the south side of his house when we have our fires.

My husband told him it was our property and we can have fires. He has since reported us Twice to the sheriff for illegal burning?? We have spoke with sheriff and also reported our neighbor for harassment.

He will yell at us claiming we are trailer trash, we are ruining the environment, etc. what suggestions for a nasty neighbor ?? We would prefer no contact with he or his wife EVER!,

[gbopp]

Naio wrote:
Maybe you can have fires on the nights he goes to his rageaholics anonymous meetings,

:B :B

[korbe]

Yes, just because you may have the "Law" on your side, the bottom line is that he is your neighbor and he can make your stay miserable if he really wants to. I would try and appease him without giving in too much.

[Naio]

Moderator wrote:
Nalo, such a reasonable response. Thank you. 🙂

Thanks, Mod :). I have had a lot of neighbors...

[Moderator]

Nalo, such a reasonable response. Thank you. 🙂

[Naio]

You are in the right, but if you don't have a good relationship with your neighbor you are not really winning.

Try to catch him at a time when he is not flipping out. No fire burning (and maybe none the night before). Early enough in the day that he is not drinking. Bring cookies or the equivalent.

Don't tell him you are right. (He knows that, even tho he will not admit it. And it gives you the upper hand in this conversation. Be polite and don't acknowledge that.)

Tell him you care about his needs and you believe it is possible to find something that works for everyone.

Maybe you can move the firepit. Maybe you can have fires on the nights he goes to his rageaholics anonymous meetings, plus one other night. Maybe there is something you would like HIS family to do less of (besides yelling at you) and you can trade. Work something out.

And you don't have to commit. Agree that you will both try out the new arrangement and see how it goes. You will still always have the upper hand.

He's your neighbor. You might need his help someday, or his cooperation. It's not like you are going to be best buds, but you could try to have some level of detente.

[travelnutz]

Binding rules and laws have real meanings whether you or anyone else likes them or not! Note! You don't go thru a red stop light just because you want to as it has real consequences just like being a home or property owner does.

[travelnutz]

An exposed lying neighbor as was described is not a "nice guy". Live with and by the rules and laws you had agreed to and personally signed your name in agreement to and there should be no issues other than those created by yourself if the other owners are adhering to the agreement they'd signed!

[midnightsadie]

covered wagon has the right idea, also could you move your fire pit,? makes going to camp a pleasure if you could? maybe the guy is right??? if you each give a little he could be a nice guy.

[travelnutz]

imgoin4it,

Apparently you are referring to being in a CG where you only rent a narrow site and do not own a bit of it or the CG. The OP actually OWNS their land just like the neighbors do and are not simply just daily, weekly, monthly renters that have NO say as to the laws and rules. Therefore, actual owners have full rights in accordance with the property owners laws and rules they'd agreed to and signed that were in-acted. Easy to move away when you rent but no very easy when you own as there's a sale and real estate laws and rules and a closing involved. Usually many months before the actual closing occurs.

We have bought and sold 11 properties so far and still own a few and know the details of doing so.

[covered_wagon]

You need to try and work it out with them as this thing about enforcements only makes things worse between neighbors. Selfishness doesn't work but talking it out and reaching agreements does.

[IBcarguy]

fj12ryder wrote:
Are your fires smokey? Do you have a fire going all day or just in the evening for a couple hours? A fire going all day seems a bit much, but a small fire in the evening for a couple hours once or twice a week certainly doesn't seem out of line. It may also depend on how close your fire pit is to his residence.

Staying on a lake lot with permanent neighbors isn't the same as at a campground, IMO anyway.

Valid points/questions - Your neighbor sounds like an AH, but the above questions might provide a different point of view than yours. If you are burning a smokey fire all day and into the night that is close to his house I can see his point (not his attitude or way of talking to you though). It's not always about the law...it sometimes is about consideration of others. On the other hand, if he is being overly critical and confrontational, use the law to your protect your rights.

[travelnutz]

What I'm getting at is the Assn or Condo rules and laws are the same as specified for every owner and if you don't like the rules and laws you'd agreed to by signing as required when purchasing your unit or property, please just MOVE away as you are in the wrong and the control board doesn't hear you! You have zero standing as you'd already agreed to the laws and rules and your me me me attitude is totally meaningless!

[imgoin4it]

Sometimes there are two sides to the story. Many have probably never experienced a fire burning old rail road ties right between 2 motor home spots with the smoke coming in the windows on one side of the motor home and exiting out the other. That's not our only experience but it is the worst.

[Nursedebbie1]

Thanks for your comments travelnutz....it makes our time at the lake so stressful when he is outside or badgering us! We may follow with harassment if he continues with one more issue....again...thanks for your support !!

[travelnutz]

We also own land since 1987 with RV's on it in Northern Michigan with a Condo Assn rules and have seen some morons like your neighbor over the years while I was on the Board Of Directors for 9 years. We simply shut them up or challenged them with legal action if the campfires in their area was checked and deemed to be legal and within the Condo Assn written rules. Your neighbor has a copy and should know the Assn rules and laws also so don't put up with his BS.