Customer Reviews

Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees, Boundaries & Noise (5th edition)

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The newly expanded and updated fifth edition of Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees, Boundaries, And Noise by attorney and mediator Cora Jordan is an informed and informative reference guide to the complex laws and regulations concerning neighborly disputes and intricacies. Deftly covering laws concerning such issues as water runoff and flooding, trees that hang over property line, problems with neighboring businesses, noisy neighbors, unclear boundary lines, blocked views, high or unsightly "spite" fences, dangerously deteriorating fences, dangers to children, and so much more, Neighbor Law is a complete and thorough compendium ideal for non-specialist general readers wanting to know (and be able to enforce) their rights as a property owner in a neighborhood of property owners. Neighbor Law is very strongly recommended for anyone searching for a "user friendly" informational documentation of all the rules and regulations concerning proper neighbor responsibilities and an understanding of what can and can not be lawfully done when a conflict arises between neighbors.

This book proved to be a good reference book in finding out what steps need to be taken when someone has problems with their neighbors. The advice is backed up by the extensive experience and research done by the author, civil cases or civil codes which are referenced at the end of each chapter. It makes for a good guideline for someone who doesn't know where to turn when in need of solving a neighbor problem.

I found the information in this book too generic to be of much use. The concepts/principles are there and explained well. However, the laws/statutes of each state, city, town etc. vary so much.....the book provides very little information in this regard. Read it for a very basic understanding of the concepts but to get a good understanding of "neighbor law" you will have to investigate the relevant statutes and case history in the jurisdiction in which you are operating.

If the neighbor's tree root damages your fence or foundation, or they never bother to paint their side of the shared fence and it rots, you need to know what to do so you don't get stuck with the whole maintenance or repair bill.

ALL these shared Neighborly items (trees, fences, retaining walls, maintenance, damage) are covered under a very vague State Civil Code in most states, not by any local Building or Zoning Codes. There are no clear definitions of run-down or ugly. The government does NOT want to waste the taxpayer's money on petty disputes between hard-headed neighbors if they can help it, and wants the citizens to work it out on their own. This means that any disputes have to be settled in mediation or Court, and the local Building and Zoning Code Enforcement can NOT do a thing to help you unless the fence is too tall according to the local ordinances (for my town, that is over 7') or is a dangerous nuisance (broken, nails sticking out, fire hazard, etc.) and thus a life-safety hazard.

The book tells you what letters and agreements need to be made and written down, how to (more or less) word them, where to send them, and so on. This helps you get the work quickly done and share in the shared expenses, and also helps you collect expenses that result from your neighbor's neglect. *Neighbor Law* is updated every several years, includes information for the various different States, and many handy sources for more information. The book explains how the mediator or courts usually judge what is a 'shared' fence or tree Vs. not shared when trying to divy up the expenses. This is important to know and NOT in any law book [Hint: depends on if you enjoy *some* use of it for shade, dog run wall, kids' play yard, fruit, nuts, pool fence, privacy, etc].

This book will help bring you some clarity to a very vague law, is something you will refer back to many times (since now all YOUR friends will consider you the authority!), and it is well worth the very reasonable price in terms of the headaches and money it will save you over the years to come.

Everything you'll need to resolve any problems with neighbors, must have book if you're experiencing problems with neighbors, fast and easy to understand results.

Covers such topics as who's responsible for border trees, their branches, leaves, etc., what you can do to resolve disputes. The main limitation of the book is the same as for most such books: The law can vary considerably from state to state.