Neighbor Dispute Over Encroaching Hedge Causes Headache

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A Southern California homeowner is dealing with a difficult neighbor whose thorny hedge is growing over the property line and causing damage to the side of their house. The neighbor has claimed the hedge is on the homeowner's property and has had it trimmed, with the clippings thrown into the homeowner's backyard. The homeowner is unsure how to resolve the dispute.

Why it matters

Property line disputes between neighbors can be contentious and lead to ongoing conflicts. Resolving these issues is important to maintain good community relations and avoid potential legal battles over encroachment and property rights.

The details

The homeowner, who recently moved back to Southern California into a gated community, says their neighbor's property is higher and the neighbor has a spiky, thorny hedge that is growing over the property line and staining the side of the homeowner's house. The homeowner went to discuss the issue with the neighbor, but the neighbor claimed the hedge was on the homeowner's property. The neighbor then had the hedge trimmed, with the clippings thrown into the homeowner's backyard for the homeowner to clean up.

• The homeowner recently moved back to Southern California and into the gated community.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The homeowner plans to contact the homeowner's association to address the issue, as the neighbor's actions may be violating community covenants and restrictions. The homeowner may also need to formally establish the property line to determine if they have the right to remove the encroaching hedge entirely.