HawthorneVillager.com

I would first send an anonymous letter - this has worked in past for my parents. It may have to be done several times for them to get the hint.
It worked for my parents several years back.

If that fails to work I would make a call to the Town of Milton to make a complaint and see what can be done.

It really amazes my how people can spend the kind of money they do these days on their homes and not take any pride in ownership.

Cheers,
Gman

They may not realize that their exterior/backyard condition is a problem/upsetting to their neighbours.

If you do the in-person approach, or the anonymous letter approach, either way try to start off the nicest way possible, to prevent them from getting defensive. You want to avoid them digging in their heels and being even less inclined to make things better.

i.e. if you see them outside one day try to strike up a friendly conversation about something else that you know they're interested in, then when you feel the moment is right (mutual goodwill) say, "I've been meaning to ask you about your backyard..." Try to frame it as a question.

Or if you write a letter, anonymous or not, try to word it in the in the nicest way possible.

You don't want to offend them or make them hate you, but you do want your neighbourhood to look nice and well kept.

Usually approaching it this way with good will, confidance and some humility (i.e. that you're also listening/respectful of their opinions) works. But I guess the word there is "usually"

There should be a bylaw for that, check with the town.

Are they noisy, is garbage from their scaryard ending up at your’s backyard. If so, I believe it is some bylaws about it.
“A few days ago, they were drinking wine in their backyard but they left the wine glass out. The rain came and went, and came and went, and the disgusting wine glass caught it all!”
Reminds one nice episode from the original “Solaris” film.

Well said!

That's exactly right. Well said. As much as some folks may be neater and keep their yards cleaner than others, if people start trying to police eachother's 'ratty lawn furniture' or the fact that a backyard is only half potted after a month, we're entering a pretty scary "Stepford" community. If there's a health hazard, then the city will intervene, but leaving Xmas lights up too long and/or having broken lawn furniture in the backyard or a glass of water out too long (really, there's no more water in there than a small hole in someone's own garden could collect - as disgusting as it may look since it's out in the open).

If there's a fence there and it's their backyard, the law says they have the right to be untidy so long as they don't encroach on their neighbors land or pose a health risk (the wine glass with water/mosquitos wouldn't cut it as a health risk).

I think, as newtomilton says, trying not to look into their backyard as often might be the way to go on this.

D.S.

Release pigs into his yard so that he hopefully will get the hint that his yard is a sty.

All kidding aside, I feel for you and your predictament. As stated, there's no law insisting he keep his house/yard tidy. You can write the annonymous letter, but he may choose to ignore it, or worse yet, in stubborn refusal, he could go out of his way to make it worse. This could also happen if you confront him directly.
I agree 110% with what you say about your investment. Sadly though, some just don't care what their home looks like and are ignorant to how it affects their neighbours.
Best of luck with it, whatever comes of it.

Well, that's a utopian ideal. Actually, there are gated communities out there where residents sign contracts before they move in stating they'll keep their properties a certain way (so the community enforces that). But Hawthorne Village isn't one of them, so like the other posters here have already stated - there's very little you can "do" other than start an argument with him. But in so far as the law is concerned - I'm afraid you may be out of luck.

D.

Here's the link to the Town of Milton Clean Yards By-law:

http://milton.ca/execserv/bylaws2005/09 ... By-law.pdf

If this link does not work, use this link: http://milton.ca/Town%20Services-Town+Council-493.htm and search for by-law 098-2005.

Well, that's not really what I said - that's an inflation of your earlier statement and it's a twist on my reply. You were initially speaking only of several specific issues related to your nextdoor neighbor's enclosed back yard space and his Xmas lights, etc. Not the entire community, nor the entire community looking like trash.



Again, not what I said. Never try (as a generic principle) had nothing to do with my reply.



Good luck to you, then. I hope you can find a peaceful and amicable solution to your issue. Sounds like you've already decided what you want to do anyway.

Cheers,
D.

I agree with you Catherine. And, I also agree with H&H and everyone elses opinion. It truly is a tough situation since it does mildly effect other people in the neighborhood, but ultimately, is their house and property and can live their life how they want.

There are always two sides to ever story though, and my father is very ill right now too, and my mother has back problems and high blood pressure, so she cannot help their yard either. They live in Oakville and I don't think you can see part of the fence over the high grass and weeds, but like Catherine said, it isn't a priority right now. My hubby and I are going over next weekend to help them with their yard work that they can't do.

I feel for your situation though, and hope you can talk to them about it and handle it like adults.

Talking may be the best approach. We had a situation we were nervous about bringing up with our neighbor, and when we finally decided to just confront them about it, it was fine, and friendly with no problems.

Best of Luck!

Laurie

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still not understanding the fence situation. Is it becuase you have a deck or other rasied level surface that keeps their yard in plain view?

I have a six foot high fence (no deck), and I would have to go out of my way to get a peek of my neigbours yard (and I'm 6'3")

Boy, I have to say that your Mr & Mrs. Slob-n-ob sound a lot like my next door neighbours Mrs. Dumb and Mr. Dumber! They too have the biggest lot on the street and 2 nice cars to drive (squashed into our shared driveway) and a muscle car to rev in the garage and peel around the neighbourhood in. They also do not cut their lawn, clean up their crap or take care of their house at all. I wonder if they are the same people or if this is just an amazing co-incidence! If they are not the same couple than I have to say that it is frightening that there are more of my neighbours around!

[quote="NewtoMilton"]
PS... maybe in your note... provide a link to this forum so they can educate themselves on what being a good neighbour is all about...


I don't know if posting about how terrible your neighbour is before trying to find a solution between the two of you privately is a perfect example of good neighbours.

Wow those are some harsh words. How old are the kids and what keeps flying into your yard?