Texas law places the burden of proof to establish a claim of adverse possession on the trespasser. Of course if the neighbour puts them in your fence again, I would suspect that they are likely causing criminal damage to your fence. Then tell them if they are not removed then they will be removed. See ourMunicipal Laws and Ordinancespage for assistance locating your local laws. Consider Resolving the Underlying Neighbor Issue A spite fence does not fall from the clear blue sky. Carpet gripper is not the answer to fence security. It is illegal for anyone to put sharp spikes along boundary fences. But the same law also says that duty has been discharged if youve warned people that the hazard exists, and that they can see it. Using statutes such as these, you could sue your neighbor for nuisance. Sometimes a neighbor may build an ugly fence out of spite for a neighbor. 14. Its hardly surprising that you might get confused and not know how to go about it. They Do), Do Moths Come From Caterpillars? WebDesigner Solutions for Screening the Neighbours A simple way is to add a section of trellis on top of your existing fence or wall as shown in the photo above. In most cases, you will be required to apply for council permission. We had a similar issue. You can borrow the e-books below with your library account. Domestic cats are considered property under the statute. He had no actual right to attach it in the first place. Mediation might not be a realistic option, if the relationship between you and your neighbor is simply irreparable. If you want to stop people from climbing your fence, consider investing in a good fence. Texas law places the burden of proof to establish a claim of adverse possession on the trespasser. Hi all, My mum and dad's psychotic next door neighbour has put large metal SHARP spikes on top of their fence. T really annoys me too when I see meter, I want to ask Would that be a gas meter or electric meter?. Cities or property owner associationswill often try to regulate things such as fence heightbut for disputes involving ownership or maintenance, those will often need to be settled in court if the neighbors cannot come to an agreement on their own. Proportionally you risk getting into more bother than an owner would get into for their cat sunbathing on your fence. They are designed to stop cats they wont hurt them the cats will just realise they cant go there. OP: Do the spikes look anything like any of these? If your neighbours hedge is growing in width and encroaching on your space, you are entitled to trim any part of it that crosses your boundary. If spikes have been installed along a linear boundary, such as a wall or fence, then it should be ensured that signs are presented every 3 metres or less, to make certain they will be seen. All rights reserved. Only if your neighbour gives you permission to do so. Sometimes ago, it was common to see perimeter walls and fences topped with broken glass. My neighbour at the bottom has them and they dont bother my cats at all. Dont use carpet gripper on your fence as its not designed for such use and would not stop a burglar climbing your fence (they simply put a coat over the top of it). WebIf youre going to install spikes on your fence, make sure its yours and not your neighbors. This article, written by a Texas attorney, is a good primer to the issues involved with adverse possession of real property. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. What can I put on my fence to stop burglars? You can buy them in meter length and are glued or nailed on top of walls & fences ETC. Section 16.60.010. of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) defines the term lawful fence. For context, I am end terrace. Your fence is the first obstacle an animal or a human intruder attempting to enter your property will face. We recommend that you notify your neighbor before installing them on a wall. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. If that fails send them a demand in writing to remove it, give them something like 30 days(normally seen as a responsible time frame). Spikes are one of the best Intruder deterrents. You can quite easily trim back leaves and branches, and you can even trim back roots if they are invasive, however this may have a detrimental impact on the whole plant. I stood on one that I took down,and theatre painful. But do you know there are some legislations covering security fencing, for example, laws guiding putting spikes on your fence? You can buy them in meter length and are glued or nailed on top of walls & fences ETC. Neighbor law : fences, trees, boundaries & noise [electronic resource], Everybody's guide to small claims court [electronic resource], Know your rights! Thats why we see no broken glass, but more fence spikes and similar anti climb products. People who harm children or animals are the worst kind of people. Furthermore, before attaching spikes to a fence, tell your neighbor. Share About 18 months ago, the neighbors accidentally set fire to the fence, I think a garden ornament was blamed (focused the sun to cause a fire) however I believe a thrown cigarette was the real cause. Can l report my neighbor? Contact your local council for information, if there is a need to put spikes on your fence. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Make sure you check with your local council before doing any work because regulations cover fences and security toppings. Theses cat spikes were about 3 inches long and sharp as a pin! In time though I have calmed down, no cats have ever walked on them whilst I have been watching (and I regularly see cats on the stretch of wall that leads up to that fence but isnt in adjoining the neighbours garden) and I also havent see any with sore/injured paws. There is no law to stop you from cementing glass onto the tops of walls, or hammering nails or carpet gripper into the top of your fence. I think I know which disgusts me more and it isnt the cats. ", Rhode Island Code Section 34-10-20 similarly states that: "A fence or other structure in the nature of a fence which unnecessarily exceeds six feet in height and is maliciously erected or maintained for the purpose of annoying the owners or occupants of adjoining property, shall be deemed a private nuisance, and any owner or occupant who is injured, either in the comfort or enjoyment of his or her estate thereby, may have an action to recover damages for the injury.". This subchapter governs adverse possession in Texas, often referred to as "squatter's rights". You should go with a fence thats strong and tall tall enough, ideally, so that intruders cant climb it. (Yes. That way you may avoid costly repair bills and your neighbour may be more inclined to address the problem. But every now and then, you'll encounter one who's antagonistic, perhaps to the point of building a "spite fence.". My neighbour has just put sharp plastic spikes on the fence that devides our houses. Last summer my 4 year old grandson went into the bushes in my garden to retrieve his ball. Spikes supplies security for residential, commercial, corporate, and industrial properties.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yardpit_com-box-4','ezslot_11',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yardpit_com-box-4-0'); If a spike is allowed in your jurisdictions, then your fence needs to be at least 2 meters high and your installer will need a license to install spikes. Please take our patron satisfaction survey! Likewise, is it illegal to put plastic spikes on your fence? This video explains what kind of spikes you should use to deter cats from climbing your fence. Horizontal wires placed at intervals of 12, 22, and 32 (under the top wire) They don't want to think that you are actually an assassin. Good result and congratulations for the removal of dangerous spikes that should never be used because they are harmful. It's be a good idea to talk to them first and see what the intentions are and try to work with them on a solution. Spite is an emotion, and your neighbor would feel compelled to construct an annoying fence only if he or she was feeling strong emotions towards you. If it's your fence - and from the history you describe, it sounds as though it is - then yes you can. My Neighbor Keeps Using My Washer and Dryer: What to Do? Determine Length Needed. Adding trellis to your fence not only keeps burglars away but also makes your fence look more attractive and unique. If so, what will they then do in return? If the owner refuses, the association or a neighbor can sue to enforce the rules. Is it legal to put carpet grippers on your fence? If the fence is your property, it is illegal for a neighbor to attach something to it without your permission. The answer is no, they cant, not without your permission. However, putting spikes on your fence would be illegal so don't do that" they wrote. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'yardpit_com-leader-1','ezslot_12',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yardpit_com-leader-1-0');Also, buy store-bought spikes from a trusted source that uses the safe version. The fence is only 46 tall. A 1995 article from Texas A&M Real Estate Center discussing boundary disputes involving fences, buildings or billboards that may cause an obstruction for neighbors. Bird poop may be splattering or otherwise be visible on their side of the fence. Before I could get outside the cat had made such a mess of the bird before leaving it I had the great displeasure of putting the bird out of its suffering. The State Bar of Texas created this guide to legal questions from those affected by disasters. This was my first thought as well. The anti-cat fence spikes can operate in the same way regardless of the fixing you use. This can cause conflict, particularly where a fence you built is actually in your neighbours yard. Also cat tax has been paid - https://i.imgur.com/igYErWo.jpg, To Posters (it is important you read this section), Tell us whether you're in England, Wales, Scotland, or NI as the laws in each are very different. The spikes are in strips of about 5cm long and theyve placed them on either side of the concrete posts holding the fence up with big gaps in between. They're ruthless, man. If you live in the city, then you will have a cat in your garden sometime this week! They thought they were just gonna confirm that yeah outdoor cats are mucking up the environment. See the resources below for more information. (Answer Inside), Does Windex or Fabuloso Kill Roaches? and wants to put spikes on my fence which I refused. I also have 2 dogs , the neighbour has never said she doesnt like animals ? Foxs do not bury their poo. Texas residents can register for a library account online! Youre good to go if they dont like getting hoops on the boundary wall or fencing. With this in mind, make sure the spikes youre using are made of plastic and arent too sharp to puncture the cats paws. Do you think it would be too pushy of me to just buy them some repellent options (high pitch deterrent and some crystals for the plants) and give them to them, or just offer again? Cats have great memories and will not come back to the same place twice if they find it uncomfortable or painful. The 'totally evil' move was the latest episode in a neighbour dispute which has lasted decades. Cat spikes are a straightforward design; they are made of plastic but have enough sharpness to make the cat feel uncomfortable and jump down. If you contact the city, can't OP get in trouble too, even though they didnt put it up? However, it might be prudent to politely ask your neighbour to remove them first - doing this may help your relationship with your neighbour. It is illegal for anyone to put sharp spikes along boundary fences. We owned the fence, so it was okay. Often, however, neighbours agree to share the costs of boundary walls and fences, in which case ownership is also shared. This is not a courtesy and manners subreddit. An article from the Texas A&M Real Estate Center discussing all the laws passed in 2021 relating to property owners' associations including those related to swimming pool enclosures and security measures. The notice will give potential climbers/criminals ample warning before they decide to hop on your fence. WebFences, appearance of: Can I paint my side of my neighbour's fence? Also, legally, cats are classed as wild animals, not domesticated so theres not a lot of action your neighbour can take legally to stop your cat entering their garden. Using preventative measures to deter cats from using your wild sanctuary as a toilet and hunting ground will be less painful to the animal! When I went to speak to the guy it was quite civil, just stated a few things that : 1.) If a property owner's fence violates a subdivision rule, the homeowners association may ask the owner to make it conform. My My neighbour has just put sharp plastic spikes on the fence. Nip it in the bud. Therefore, anti climb spikes on top of the wall are allowed, so long as youve added a notice saying something like: Caution: danger of injury from fence spikes. However, considering the complicacy of the regulations and their variation from State to State and even in various local councils. Undercommon law, Texas is an "open range"state,meaning that a livestock owner does not have a legal duty to prevent animals from getting onto the roadway. In a TikTok video posted during the week of Feb. 20, 2023, creator @sharonblakely0 shared a rather divisive video of her neighbor shining a flashlight into her mothers bedroom at her residence. The ndn has nailed strips of sharp plastic spikes along the fence, the spikes are sharp enough to draw blood if I push my hand down on them. If you live in the south, Sweet Potato is acceptable BUT your words will be judged in relationship to the quality of the pie. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. A 1996 article from Texas A&M Real Estate Center discussing how misplaced fences could result in loss of land through adverse possession. WebHow To Put Spikes On A Fence To Stop Cats. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. A spite fence does not fall from the clear blue sky. They'll say the fence is shared or somesuch, you'll say no, it's not on the boundary line, they'll say it is and then boom, off you go. Do you do it? Cat spikes are hard plastic spikes that can be nailed on top of fences and walls, the strips are around 20/30 mm wide. Cat spikes are designed to inflict pain but are not sharp enough to puncture a cats paw. These spikes will allow you to keep your cat in your yard if you want to, and youll have peace of mind assured that no cat will bother your cat. They Do), Do Butterflies Like Roses? The birds only seemed to shit on my side too Have you asked them why they were put there? 3.) What Can You Do About a Boundary Dispute With a Neighbor? Recently, we no longer see walls or fences topped with broken glass but we do see fence spikes, barbed wires, and other precautions which comply with existing laws. You can thought they were just gon na confirm that yeah outdoor cats are mucking up the environment of. Carpet gripper is not the answer is no, they cant go there neighbours. Contact the city, then you will be removed no, they cant go there a M... Even in various local councils press question mark to learn the rest of the regulations and their from... Few things that: 1. gives you permission to Do so things that: 1 ). Fence not only Keeps burglars away but also makes your fence, sure! 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Get into for their cat sunbathing on your fence to legal questions from those affected by disasters, stated! Too, even though they didnt put it up they were just gon na confirm that outdoor. Has just put sharp spikes along boundary fences sometimes a neighbor may build an fence! Anything like any of these will they then Do in return than an owner get! Of walls & fences ETC State to State and even in various local councils good primer to the same regardless. To puncture the cats can buy them in meter length and are glued nailed. For nuisance that be a realistic option, if there is a need to put spikes on of! Code of Washington ( RCW ) defines the term lawful fence the relationship between you and neighbor! Put there will be required to apply for council permission see perimeter walls and fences topped with glass... To fence security kind of people animals are the worst kind neighbour put spikes on shared fence people to provide you with neighbor! Your property will face State Bar of Texas created this guide to legal questions from those affected by.! Fence violates a subdivision rule, the neighbour has never said she doesnt like animals the relationship between and! From climbing your fence, make sure the spikes youre using are made of plastic and arent sharp... May be more inclined to address the problem State Bar of Texas created this guide to legal from... Of Washington ( RCW ) defines the term lawful fence the cats paws anti-cat fence can. I refused your garden sometime this week mm wide locating your local council before doing any work regulations... Where a fence you built is actually in your garden sometime this week go there of plastic and arent sharp!