NWR - Neighbor Issues - UPDATE 8/13

Yesterday, the children asked us to move our vehicle because they would like to play. My husband said he is in the middle of painting and would move it in a little bit, but we would appreciate if they moved it in front of their own house in the future because we would like to park there. (I couldn't move it because it's a standard). The adult neighbor then came over yelling at us saying we are causing all kinds of trouble and being rude. She said no one owns the sidewalk and that they can place a basketball hoop wherever they want. We should park somewhere else so the children in the neighborhood could play there. I told her that I didn't want the hoop there because it is dangerous and they shouldn't be coming on our property. She said that is ridiculous that they can't walk on our grass. And the boy is sixteen and will not fall on the slope, he has been doing it for years he won't fall or get hurt. (It was an empty lot for ten years). It is so steep, one little trip and you could roll down and break your neck ending up in the creek. I said it is not safe, and now there is a house here so they can't treat it like an empty lot anymore and come behind our house whenever they want. She was furious and yelling at both of us saying we just don't want the hoop there. Throughout the entire community, there is only one other hoop placed on the street. All of the rest are in people's driveways. She stormed off saying we were horrible and trying to cause trouble. We just don't want the ball coming onto our property (which it always does) and causing kids of numerous ages to be climbing down the sleep slope on our property, possibly getting hurt. All we want is for them to move the hoop on their side of the street by their own house so we can park there and the ball stops rolling down the hill. I have numerous medical problems and don't want to park up the street because it is further to walk/carry things, which is difficult on it's own for me. I understand that no one owns the street, but why can't they just place it in their driveway or in front of their own property? We moved the car for now, but don't know what to do going further. Any advice would help. Thanks, guys!

I'm petty as fuck so I would just keep parking there until they moved it.

That's what we want to do, but I feel like she is going to come over screaming every time. We want and try to talk to the mom, but I have a feeling she is going to act the same way.

What town to you live in? In my neighborhood, the sidewalk is city property and no one is allowed to place a basketball hoop like that...unless they obtain a special permit. Check your zone's building department codes. And if you find the hoop is a violation, report to the building department and it will be removed.

This is where you need to get the city involved and possibly build a fence. Your neighbours have obviously been used to one way, and now you need to enforce another. Stand your ground and get the law on your side.

Agree with @Mrs Sullivan To Be. How rude and confrontational for her to just come over and start an argument rather than having an adult conversation about her issue. If it's on the sidewalk, is it possible that's a town issue? Not sure of the laws, but if it's not supposed to be there, I would be the petty one to complain about it so it forces her to move it.

Agree with Mrs Sullivan. Keep parking there. She's clearly mad she actually has to parent her children (telling them not to go onto neighbors property) and is taking it out on you.

It's a liability issue too. If someone gets hurt it's unfortunately on you. I'd document every damn time you talk to her. Don't let the kids come onto your property anymore, and don't let them go down that hill. Put up no trespassing signs and say something every time a kid tries. If they lose their ball, oh well their problem.

Seriously, I bet after the first time they lose their ball and you won't let them get it the hoop gets moved. This lady is completely in the wrong.

I agree with all of your reasons. It is not safe and that is now your property. There is no reason you should park your car further away so kids can play basketball. There are other hoops in the neighborhood and I am sure there is a park nearby.

Hopefully this neighbor was having a bad day so she took it out on you and she is not an actual jerk.

I agree with PPs - keep parking there, put up a fence, and have a no-trespassing sign. As @Bemyguest mentioned, that could be a huge liability issue. I had a big trampoline growing up and some random kid came into our backyard and broke his ankle playing on it when we weren't home. We got sued... shit is real. Get the town/city involved.

Please call City Hall and find somebody that can help you. Not only is this annoying, there is a liability issue. Somebody hurts themselves on your property, you're responsible. Please contact your Homeowner's Insurance and find out their input. We have a pool and carry a required extra million. I deal with children all day and the liability/responsibility for anybody under 18 is staggering. I would do all this immediately

I agree with everyone else... you should look into your local city ordinances about the rules of the sidewalks/streets. You should be able to park in front of your house. They do not own the sidewalk in front of your house, and therefore do not have any legal right to put a basketball hoop there. I would continue to park there and if the kids want to play, they can move the hoop. DO NOT park somewhere else simply to appease this woman, she is being unreasonable!!

There is 100% a liability concern about a kid going into your yard and getting hurt on your property. This adult should have come over and talked to you rationally and politely, instead they come over confrontational and starting an argument. This tells me that they would DEFINITELY sue you and hold you accountable if their kid got hurt on your property, despite them scoffing at the idea that it was dangerous.

You definitely should build a fence as soon as you can. Its expensive, but it will be a worthwhile investment.

In all honesty, I would keep parking there and if she came to my house again to yell at me I would call the police. I don't have time to deal with crazy.

Thanks, everyone! I'm relieved you guys agree I am not being unreasonable.

I couldn't believe how rude she was being and her argument was very weak. There was no need for her to be so rude. You guys are right, she would be the first one to sue if her nephew got hurt.

We are going to continue to park there and try and talk with the mom. I have pictures of her son coming onto our property down the slope.

I'm going to call the city and see if there is anything they can do. The hoop is technically on the property of a foreclosed house, so maybe I can reach out to the bank or something.

Definitely call the city and see what you can do to get your ass off the hook if those kids come onto your property again. That was really immature of her to come over and yell at you.

I would take pictures and send them to your local alderman. Their office will be able to assist you.

Keep parking under it

@Mrs.Coakly -- it was very rude of her! I was shaking and trying to remain calm. I don't want our neighbors to hate us, but they have to be reasonable. If it's not such a big deal, put it in front of your own house. She won't want to do that because she likes to park there.

I wanted to say...so I can put a few foosball tables and maybe a ping pong table in front of your house and you would be alright with it? I think I would have been punched in the face. lol

You sound very sensible.

Some people just suck.

A friend of mine had her son's friends come over to play. These friends were brothers. When their mom came by to pick them up the brothers began wrestling/fighting in the driveway. An arm got broken! Days later the mom called my friend asking who her homeowners insurance was with. My friend asked why ... the mom wanted to make the homeowner pay for it since the arm was broken on her property. My friend said, "I am not telling you because this is not my problem. If you do make a claim I will fight it. And from now on any play dates with your kids will take place at a public park."

OP, welcome to geing a homeowner!

ETA : You are correct with your concerns and I believe the city will side with you.

Wow, for real?

can your husband move it to where the owner of said hoop lives? ETA Or better yet, have the city remove it?

I second putting up a fence around the property - that is a HUGE liability!