Approaching Your Neighbor
What do I do if my neighbor is violating an ordinance?
After you've carefully reviewed the ordinance yourself and perhaps even talked to somebody at the city, if there's an appropriate department to talk to to make certain you're understanding and interpreting it properly and applying it to your facts. It would be a good idea to certainly make certain you have a copy of it, Speak with your neighbor about it, have the ordinance with you in case you need to show it to them, perhaps even a copy to leave with them should they want you to. I would start off with a conversation just describing why you have a problem and what the situation is and that they may not be aware of it. I don't think it's necessary to put the statute or the ordinance in front of them. At the beginning of your conversation you want to approach them as a neighbor, discuss what the issue is, and you may not even have to show them that piece of paper in order to catch their attention and get their cooperation, but it's a good idea to have it with you in case you need it.
How should I approach my neighbor with a nuisance problem?
After you have documented the problem for yourself, made certain you understand what it is, how it's affecting you, checked to see whether there's any laws that apply to the particular behavior that's at issue, arrange to talk to your neighbor, and approach them in a friendly way. Don't assume that they even know that the problem exists unless you're sure that they do. Apprise them of the problem. Let them know: "here's something you may not know about." "It's causing me some concern or some difficulties in enjoying my property, and I wanted to let you know about this problem", and see how they are going to react and what their feelings are about it. As you discuss the matter with them, if they're not being very cooperative, you may want to show them a copy of any law that applies, if there is one that applies. Do your best to convince them, in as polite and courteous a way as you can, that they should conform their behavior to whatever the law allows or to to some course of conduct that is going to be much more liveable for you and for your family.
What can I do if I'm uncomfortable talking to my neighbor about a nuisance issue?
Generally, it's going to be best to try to approach your neighbour in person if you can because that type of communication is generally more successful in sorting out a nuisance issue. This is unless you're going to be unable to control your emotions or the manner in which you're going to state things to them. If you're in that situation and you feel you need to do it some other way, then I would write them a letter. If you have stationery, use your stationery; use something appropriate to write them a note. Think about it carefully so that you're not being too antagonistic. You may want to approach them at first by saying, "You may not be aware of the following, but I think you should know..." and explain it to them politely; explain why you're raising it, what sort of problems it's creating for you, and ask them if they might be able to remedy the problem in some way. You don't necessarily have to make suggestions to them in the first contact; you may want to, but it may be a good idea just to ask them to think about what they could do to remedy the problem and let you know.
What can I do if I have written my neighbor a letter, but the problem hasn't stopped?
If the letter hasn't worked and you don't think a second letter is going to be helpful, you're going to need to find some next level to take it to-whether it's a complaint to the city, whether it's calling the police the next time it happens, or potentially going to small claims court or finding a lawyer to file a superior or district court case for you, and finding out what all the procedures, costs, and ramifications are of taking things to that next level.
How should I approach my neighbor about damages?
You want to have your damages as well documented as you can. If a tree has fallen on part of your house, you want to have one contractor's estimate at a minimum and preferably two or three to be able to show your neighbor. You want to have something tangible if you can to show him what your actual costs are going to be, so that you can justifiably ask him to compensate you. The more prepared you are, and the more you've thought through it, the better that conversation is likely to go where you approach your neighbor about damages.
