I have had it with my neighbor.. urghhh
By Cortney
@Cortney (3980)
United States
December 7, 2006 6:06pm CST
We have spoken to him several times about the same issue.. he keeps telling me that if I don't like it then move.. He has all the neighbors ticked off because of the same issue.
My daughter and I have asthma really bad. He has been burning wood for the past few weeks. It is so bad that the whole neighborhood is smokey and we choke when we walk out the door.
He is burning it in a big wood burner and the backyard is stacked to the top of the fence with wood to burn. He is not doing it to keep warm. He goes out on the weekends and clears stuff and brings the wood back here instead of the dump (he doesn't want to pay per load) and burns it. All the neighbors are ticked for the same reason.
Does anyone know what can be done about it. We live in a deed restricted community.. but I rent and don't know the restrictions.(he does too.. don't know who the landlord is.. never see him pick up a check).
Any suggestions
6 people like this
36 responses
@nishanity (1650)
• India
8 Dec 06
well aint thr any rules at ur municipality against burning wood like tht? i mean thr shud be rite?
y dont u and ur neighbours get together,discuss and see wat action u can take, i mean legally
3 people like this
@Weasel_Sponge (1069)
• Canada
8 Dec 06
It may sounds like a cheesy suggestion, but if this man is indeed burning anything that could be considered toxic (garbage, finished woods,etc.,) you could have your local EPA investigate. Sometimes where one governement agency fails, another will pick up the slack. The EPA could not only order him to discontinue burning noxious substances, but could fine him a large sum of money should he not comply.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
8 Dec 06
Well I would suggest that you try and find out and report him to the Landlord specially with your Condition
Ask your Landlord and see if he can do anything and see if he knows who the Landlord of the Place is
And do it fast Asthma is not something to mess around with
I hope you get this sorted
@Cortney (3980)
• United States
8 Dec 06
thanks.. we have tried.. I will check with my landlord and see if maybe he has a suggestion.
my daughter and I have already been in the hospital 2 times this year. and if we have to go again.. I am sure I can prove that is the cause of the attacks and I definately will sue him for the med bills... They pick up yard waste once a week and he won't even do that.
@sbeauty (5865)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Check with some of your other neighbors and see what the rules are and who the landlord is so that you can voice your complaints to him directly.
We had problems with the neighbors we had in Tennessee, so I can sympathize with you. The man was the head of a group of Gospel singers. He poured cement over our property stakes (and cost us $275 to have our land re-surveyed), then he got a full-sized bus and parked it on the cement. They always came and went in the middle of the night, and the bus made so much noise that it woke everyone in the neighborhood. My husband tried to talk to them, but he was told, just like you were, that he was there first and we could move if we didn't like it. We were so glad to move away from those people.
3 people like this
@Cortney (3980)
• United States
8 Dec 06
the guy hasn't worked in a few weeks... I know it may be mean.. but I hope he gets evicted because he can't pay the rent... I am looking out for me and my daughter and he is driving us crazy.. that is just one of the pet peeves of mine.. didn't want to bore people with the others.. they are little compared to this. This is health related.
1 person likes this
@Lydia1901 (16351)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Sorry to hear that, some neighbors can be really mean and thoughtless. I can't help you with the problem, it seems like you'll have to move out if it doesn't get solved or you don't get a chance to talk to the landlord.
@ljmc24 (413)
• United States
8 Dec 06
some places you have to have burn permits. Could check with city hall and see if you have to in your neighborhood. Other than that he sounds like a jerk and I wish you luck. We used to have a neighbor that was crazy and she would stand in her yard and spray our dogs with water. Then get mad when the dogs tripped and wanted to eat her alive.
3 people like this
@teufelskind (813)
• United States
8 Dec 06
well i think you have to have a burn permit check that out. you and your neighbors should also sighn a potition agienst him burning the wood there has to be some restriction on that.
2 people like this
@teufelskind (813)
• United States
8 Dec 06
it has been knowen to work it worked here in one of our neighborhoods all the people sighned it and they got what they wanted. good luck to you on this.
1 person likes this
@tentwo67 (3382)
• United States
3 Jan 07
Have you checked to see if there's a burn ban in your community? We have one where we live, and my husband loves to set fires in a big metal can in the backyard (although he's not nearly as offensive as this sounds), but he only does it late at night way in the backyard because he doesn't want anyone to call the police on him. If there is a burn ban of any type then maybe you could (anonymously or otherwise) report this neighbord? Maybe even without a burn ban he could be reported for being offensive to the neighbors in such a way?
I feel for you and wish you the best in dealing with it. I think it would drive me nuts too the way you are describing it!
@zman87 (634)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Well try complaining to the city about this guy and if you get the other neighbors to do the same then the city might just do something about it and if not you could also complain that he is making fire hazards and burning wood awfully close to houses well best of luck to you........
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
8 Dec 06
Oh gosh I am sorry to hear this!! Neighbors can be nuisences!! That is for sure... I don't like my neighbors either, they are cliquy with one another (sp?)and exclude our family because we are just "not good enough for them". But I dont let it keep me up at night as I have a million other problems right now. As long as they don't cause problems for us, I am not going anywhere..
@athenasky (2)
• United States
8 Dec 06
I would call your local fire dept when he is actually burning. You need to explain that he is burning garbage (maybe even tires, hint, hint). Just say you are really worried that the fire is getting out of control (lots of black smoke, burning very hot). My parents did this and the fire dept came out and made the neighbor destroy the burn barrell and put out the entire fire. Also, contact your EPA and mention that it is not just wood burning. They send out a free warning then they fine you.
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
4 Jan 07
Easy problem solved. Call the fire department and ask them what can you as a renter or they can do to solve this problem. If they tell you that it's legal to do it. If it's illegal, they will fine him for burning wood.
Then go outside hook yourself a hose long enough to reach the fire pit. And water the stove out. If the neighborhood is irritated, you all need to get together and hose his burner. Don't forget to hose down the wood either. But remember find out your rights, as a renter, you still have rights. Good Luck, I still think you should hose the wood, the burner and his butt down.
@Marshell (60)
• United States
5 Jan 07
Most plain old wood does not bother me when it burns. What DOES bother me is painted wood; treated wood etc.
If this gentleman is burning wood that he clears off, who knows what is in it!
Call your local HUD offices first. Then call your welfare and ask them who you can contact because of a possible health hazard. Also call the local board of health.
This is a civil matter, so call the police and file a complaint.
Do not fight, call names, make jesters, threaten or do anything that he can use against you.
Where is your lease? It should be in there. I do not know what a deed restricted community is. But who ever you pay your rent too should be able to help. If they can not maybe you SHOULD move!
Good luck!
@shywolf (4514)
• United States
3 Jan 07
I am really sorry that your neighbor is being so annoying and won't do anything to help you and your daughter out. I hope that you can resolve something with him soon. I can't imagine how hard it must be having asthma and having to put up with someone burning wood next door. I'm sorry :(
@kids91911 (4363)
• United States
10 Dec 06
Try talking to the neighbor if that doesn't work call cops and resolve it. Then you will see landlord.
@teenal (1400)
• Dublin, Ireland
8 Dec 06
I dont know the law where you live but I think most countries have anti pollution laws now. In Ireland you are not allowed to burn anything bar smokless fuel. We have the Department of the environment who deal with offenders. Have you got any such department where you live. Report him.
