neighbor damaged my wall in my yard what type of lawyer

by Layla Berge II 8 min read

What happens if a wall falls on a neighbours property?

May 23, 2016 · My Neighbor Damaged Our Common Wall Question: Our next door neighbor has damaged the cinder block wall that runs along the property-line between our homes by constantly soaking it with his lawn sprinklers. I am concerned that if and when I decide to sell my Peoria home, a buyer might say, “All right, I’ll take it, but only on condition that you repair the wall.”

Can I get my Neighbor to repair the damage to wall?

1. If the Neighbor’s Property is Damaged. If the land on the neighbor’s side subsides or has damage, the wall owner is reliable. If the wall is poorly built with low-quality material, it may lean into the neighbor’s yard. Sometimes the wall may fall entirely and damage the property or belongings of the neighbor.

What are my rights if my Neighbor damages my property?

Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 7031 Koll Center Pkwy, Pleasanton, CA 94566. master:2021-10-25_10-02-22. When water causes property damage -- flooded basements, collapsing retaining walls, or soggy gardens, for example -- feuds between neighbors often result. But the legal issues can be as muddy as the mess in your backyard.

Can I Sue my Neighbor for water damage?

But if the trimming seriously injures your tree, your neighbor will be liable to you for the damage done. Similarly, if your neighbor uses a chemical in his or her yard to destroy unwanted roots, and the chemical seeps onto your property and kills one of your trees, your neighbor can be liable.

How do you deal with a psycho neighbor?

Dealing with NeighborsDon't respond with anger. Although you may be instantly (and perhaps justifiably) irritated when your neighbor complains, don't let your anger get the best of you. ... Ask if you can talk face-to-face. Talking one-on-one helps you read facial cues and tone of voice. ... Listen. ... Work toward a solution.

How can I mess up my neighbors yard?

How to Make Your Neighbors MiserableYou could mow your lawn very early in the morning. ... You could have a few pizzas delivered to their address. ... Allow your pets to do their business in your neighbor's yard and don't use a pooper scooper. ... Doorbell ditch! ... TP their tree! ... Place rubber snakes around their garden beds.Feb 15, 2022

How do I get revenge on a noisy Neighbour?

Noisy Neighbors Revenge: 12 Ways to Get Back at Loud PeopleSchedule Your Loudest Chores for When Your Neighbors Are Home.Practice an Instrument or Put on Some Tunes.Exercise Your Dog.Play Hoops in Front of Your House.Have a Party.Make a Stink.Doorbell Ditch.Put Vaseline on Their Doorknob.More items...

What Counts as "Damage" to Your Tree?

To run afoul of the law, your neighbor doesn't have to chop down your tree. Its enough to just damage the health of your tree. For example, your ne...

What Do You Have to Prove in Order to Recover Damages from A Neighbor For Destroying Or Damaging Your Tree?

In general, you must meet two requirements in order to have a legal right to compensation for a damaged tree. 1. Your own property must be damaged....

Can A Tree Owner Recover For Actual Losses Caused by Tree Damage?

Yes. If someone damages or destroys your tree, you can recover for the amount of your actual loss due to the injury or destruction of the tree. Thi...

Can A Tree Owner Recover For More Than Just Actual Damages If A Neighbor Intentionally Damages Or Destroys A Tree?

Some states have specific statutes that provide for additional damages if someone intentionally damages your tree. For example, in Mississippi, if...

What Happens If The Tree Owner Already Received Partial Compensation from An Insurance Company?

If your tree was damaged or destroyed and an insurance company compensated you for part of the loss, you must subtract this amount from any other d...

Is Intentionally Harming Someone Else's Tree A Criminal Act?

In most states, deliberately injuring a tree is not a crime. A minority of states do have statutes that make intentional tree damage a crime result...

Where Can I Go For More Help on Tree Laws and Neighbor Disputes?

To learn more about laws governing trees on your property, and what to do if your tree is damaged, get Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees, Boundaries & No...

What happens if my neighbor is watering my house?

If your neighbor acts unreasonably or carelessly with water on his own property in a way that causes water damage to your property, you can sue for compensation for your losses and also ask the court to order the neighbor to stop the action.

What happens when water causes property damage?

When water causes property damage -- flooded basements, collapsing retaining walls, or soggy gardens, for example -- feuds between neighbors often result. But the legal issues can be as muddy as the mess in your backyard.

Who is responsible for damage caused by a tree?

Just as property owners are responsible for damage caused by their broken pipes, tree owners may be responsible for damage caused to another's property by their tree's branches or roots. (For more information, see Neighbor Disputes Over Trees .)

Is a neighbor liable for a natural disaster?

As a general rule, a neighbor is not liable for harm caused by the natural conditions of land. If the land lies in such a way that a particular amount of water is dumped onto your backyard every year from rain running off your next-door neighbor's property, it's not legally your neighbor's fault.

What is the opposite of the common enemy rule?

A number of states follow a rule which is, in theory, the opposite of the common enemy rule. The civil law rule holds that if a person alters the natural flow of surface waters in any way that harms the use and enjoyment of another property, that person will be liable for that harm.

How to determine if something is reasonable?

To determine if something is reasonable, a court may look at the following factors: the nature and importance of any improvements that were made by the culvert. whether or not the damage was reasonably foreseeable by the ones who made the changes, and. the extent of damage compared to the value of any improvements.

What is the civil law rule?

Unlike the common enemy rule, which requires lower landowners to fend for themselves, the civil law rule holds upper landowners liable for any detrimental changes in runoff patterns. Like the common enemy rule, however, states no longer apply this rule in its strictest form.

How to recover damages from a tree?

Yes. If someone damages or destroys your tree, you can recover for the amount of your actual loss due to the injury or destruction of the tree. This recovery is available even if the damage was caused by an honest mistake. A final dollar figure for actual loss might include: 1 The cost of replacing the tree. This would also include the cost of removing debris and cleanup. 2 Diminished property value. If replacing the tree is impossible, then you can recover for the decrease in your property value due to the lost tree. 3 Out-of-pocket expenses. In most states, you can recover for money reasonably spent trying to save an injured tree, or to remove a dead one. Such expenses might include appraisal costs, cleaning up debris, repairing the yard, or missed work time to deal with the tree damage. 4 Aesthetic loss and mental anguish. A few courts have awarded damages to tree owners for aesthetic loss and mental anguish in tree damage cases.

What happens if someone cuts down a tree?

If your neighbor or someone else cuts down, removes, or hurts a tree on your property without your permission, that person is required to compensate you (the tree owner) for your loss. If necessary, you can sue to enforce your rights. Here's the lowdown on what you must prove to recover for a damaged or destroyed tree, ...

Can a dead tree be dangerous?

The tree in question must not create an immediate danger to others. Unsound trees that threaten a neighboring property are not under the same legal protection as healthy trees. In some circumstances, for example, if a dead tree is about to fall, a neighbor can even enter an owner's property to prevent any harm.

Can neighbors trim trees?

For example, your neighbor has the legal right to trim branches of your tree if they hang over the property line. But if the trimming seriously injures your tree, your neighbor will be liable to you for the damage done. Similarly, if your neighbor uses a chemical in his or her yard to destroy unwanted roots, and the chemical seeps onto your ...

What happens if you and your neighbour agree that neither of you have the expertise to resolve the matter?

If you and your neighbour agree that neither of you have the expertise to resolve the matter then you could delegate determining where the boundary should be to an expert. The expert’s decision is, by prior agreement of the parties, legally binding on both parties.

Where are boundary disputes litigated?

Boundary disputes are litigated in the County Court or the High Court if the dispute has a high monetary value or it will establish a new legal precedent. The dispute can also be taken to the Land Registration Division of the Tribunals Service.

What are the boundaries of a property?

If you and your neighbour hold different opinions about where the boundary between your respective properties lies then: 1 Land Registry only records the general position of the boundary 2 Ordnance Survey maps do not determine the boundaries of anyone’s land 3 Local Authority Planning Office does not have jurisdiction over boundaries 4 Boundaries are covered by civil law and the police remit only extends to criminal law so they have no jurisdiction over boundaries

Who would need to be appointed to settle boundary disputes?

This approach involves the disputing parties negotiating a settlement. A specialist mediator would need to be appointed – either a surveyor who specialises in boundary disputes or a lawyer who specialises in property law or litigation and in either case the mediator has also had specialist training in litigation.

How to avoid costly repair bills?

2. Check your insurance to see if the damage is covered under the terms of the policy. If not you could always ask your neighbour to check their insurance to see if they have cover for the damage. 3.

What is the common enemy rule?

Another legal rule that some courts have used when determining a neighbor’s liability for water damage is the “common enemy” rule. This rule is based on the idea that rain damages different properties at random and that landowners are expected to take steps to help them protect damage from water coming onto their land.

Can neighbors be found liable for water damage?

For example, neighbors may be found to be careless when they leave water devices running for too long or do not maintain their water pipes . Neighbors can also be found liable if their tree roots grow so long that they cause damage to adjoining property owners’ pipes.

What happens if your house becomes uninhabitable?

Medical bills or hospital bills if the damage also caused you physical injury. Punitive damages, if you can prove that your neighbor acted with malicious or criminal intent.

Can neighbors be held responsible for water damage?

Usually a neighbor cannot be held responsible for property damage caused by runoff from naturally occurring rain and land conditions. However, if the water damage is caused by a neighbor’s actions or non-actions, this can present some difficulties. Since the flow of water is somewhat unpredictable, it can be difficult to determine ...