What recourse do I have when my neighbor puts up a fence on my property?

Benjamin W

Send a registered letter to his door, informing him that the fence is on your property, and will be considered yours if it is not removed within a set time period. Then, when the time period is up, remove it, and send him the bill. Keep a copy for when you go to court.

If he tries to stop you, call the police and show them the survey to prove that it's your land. They will stand back and let you do what you will to the fence. Remind the nice neighboor that it's far cheaper to remove his fence and put it on his land than it would be for you to destroy it forcing him to replace it.

To be mean, you could also just ground the fence, causing a surge of power down the line and causing his electric bill to skyrocket without a cause.

dazed&confused

Sue him in civil court if he refuses to remove it. Provide your survey showing its your land, he will have to pay your costs and remove the fence if the survey is accurate, and the fence is on your land.

Cathy

Call the city where you live (city hall). Tell them whats going on. They'll tell you what to do.

hensleyclaw

I think you will find the the city is not interested. Most city codes do not cover temporary structures (fences are put in this definition).

You of course can file an action in court to have the boundaries of your property determined. This will cost you legal fees. Most of the time, those costs will not be recovered.

If you are sure the fence is on your property, you can remove the fence. Get ready for a fist fight with the neighbor.

Now if the neighbor believes the land is his, then you will end up in court. I don't recommend removing the fence without a court order. Good luck.

Donna D

Take him to court, have the land surveyed again. and sue him in Civil court.
He took your land.

Good luck!!

extremedges

Hey, less for you to mow!! lol, sorry , was trying to bring a bright side to it!! lol

Anyways,
Call the city hall, or even call the police. Go to court house and talk with them about it.
But, yes, the best thing to do would do get it resurveyed and make sure that you highlight the part about the fence being electrical...that is just dangerous!! Expecially if there is young kids around!!!
Whatever you do just take action quickly but smartly!
Then once property lines are mapped out or whatever, mark it better!

RayHere

Here is how i handled it sent a letter stating my surveyor has staked the property you fence is 5 ft on my property so it is legally mine Now if you don't agree you can hire your own surveyor if he disagrees with mine i well pay his fee If I don't hear from you in writing within one month I well remove the fence on my property and I did never heard a word about it

But if you just bought the property call the old owner and both Realtors that sold you the property and tell them ''hey look you said the property line was here but this guy says it is not now just who do I sue here?''

Lucas Law Center

Survey again the acreage and they should be there to see what ground they have.

Power Flower

I know what my partner would do.... bulldoze everything up to the property line and sell it for scrap. I, on the other hand, would probably get legal advice. Ring a legal aid line if you don't know where to start. If it's an illegal fence anyways, regardless of who's property it's on, maybe call the police? If nothing else it'll start a record of his wrongdoing that can be used in court later if necessary.

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