Thread: How do you deal with a nasty neighbor?

This neighbor has continually tried to make trouble for us for 20+ years. I live in a very small town, and believe it or not, people are afraid of this guy and his father, even the Mayor. I could tell you at least 25 things or more that he did to us over the years, but it would be too long. This neighbor, I could be his mother for the age difference. It doesn't do any good to try to talk to him, as he just makes a fool out of us. This week he reported us, saying our septic wasn't working, making the county come out and check it, which they couldn't understand, as nothing is wrong. He lets his dog run on my lawn and it messes, and I even let that go. I tried once with the dog dept, when he had his last dog and I never got anywhere. That was the only time in my life, that I did anything in retaliation to him. Please don't say move, as this was my family home, and running away doesn't solve anything, as I would be afraid I might get someone worse! This last episode put my husband at the boiling point, and he isn't in that good of health. Any suggestions at all, other than to keep trying to avoid him?

I know you said not to suggest that you move, but your only other option is to deal with it. If you've been putting up with it for 20+ years, it's obvious nothing is going to change.
I understand that it's a family home, but is the home's value really worth more than your husband's health?

I was going to say maybe you could win him over with kindness. Like baking something and taking it over. But if you've had that much trouble he might put something in it and claim you did it. It sounds like he might have a mental problem to be bothering you that long. It's sad when someone gets pleasure from tormenting somebody else. I'm a firm believer in prayer. If you go to church ask them to pray that he'll leave you alone. If you don't go, ask someone you know to get their church to pray for you. It may sound silly but I believe the Lord can stop him from tormenting you and your family. I'll pray for you that he'll leave ya'll alone. Good luck I hope this gets solved for you really soon.

I used not like our neighbors,the sold their home to her daddy. He lives out of state and rented it to 3 young party animals girls. It is always worse out there. They gripe my soul.

Perhaps a very large privacy fence? I know the first thing you want to do is get even with them but that could always make it worse I wish I had more to offer......Keep us posted.

Originally Posted by freeby4me

Perhaps a very large privacy fence? I know the first thing you want to do is get even with them but that could always make it worse I wish I had more to offer......Keep us posted.

That's what I was thinking.

I agree about the fence. It would be worth the expense to keep his dog off your property. And to have some security between him and you. I'd suggest a restraining order but that would just make him mad and make it worse. They're only good for someone that obeys and respects the law. He doesn't sound like that type of person.

I would keep trying to win him over by being nice. Go out of your way to say hello. I can tell you if he has any ounce of heart, he will eventually warm up to you. Sometimes one act of kindness doesn't work, but maybe three will. I had a neighbor like that, and I was so friendly, they either chose to stop bothering me or figured out I wasn't half bad.
Either way, good luck. It is so sad that the short life we all have here has to be spent by being mean and onery.