Said It Here

Neighbor is encroaching on my property line to sell their house

Neighbors often mow or expand into adjacent yards while listing their home to make their property look larger, usually taking advantage of times you are away. This creates sudden boundary disputes that derail home sales and leave you scrambling to hire a surveyor and untangle property lines.

Overview
People affected32 accounts across 7 forums
Workarounds found68 items attempted
Community agreement12,593 total upvotes

What the numbers show

Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count

  • Most of it landed at once — the busiest month was September 2026, with 25 people.
  • This comes up 17.8× more often in r/homeowners than across the site as a whole.

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

68 items+ Contribute

Found another way around this?

Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.

  1. 1
    calling the police
    2 people mentioned
    Did this help you?
  2. 2
    Waiting for a professional property survey
    Did this help you?
  3. 3
    Installing a fence
    Did this help you?
  4. 4
    Mowing the lawn down to the dirt
    Did this help you?
  5. 5
    Putting up warning signs, gnomes, or flags to deter the neighbors
    Did this help you?
  6. 6
    Having the neighbor's realtor dismantle and remove the shed
    Did this help you?
  7. 7
    Hiring a real estate lawyer
    Did this help you?
  8. 8
    Rolling the shed to a new location using PVC pipes
    Did this help you?
  9. 9
    Checking closing property plats
    Did this help you?
  10. 10
    Talking to previous owners
    Did this help you?
  11. 11
    Asking the neighbor politely
    Did this help you?
  12. 12
    Considering hiring a surveyor or real estate attorney
    Did this help you?
  13. 13
    Remove the attachment yourself
    Did this help you?
  14. 14
    Confront or talk to the neighbor about the modification
    Did this help you?
  15. 15
    Pruning the aggressive neighboring plant back to a sensible shape
    Did this help you?
  16. 16
    Giving the neighboring bush a hard prune back
    Did this help you?
  17. 17
    talking to the mother directly
    Did this help you?
  18. 18
    adjusting camera motion settings
    Did this help you?
  19. 19
    using automated motion announcements to deter people
    Did this help you?
  20. 20
    Pitchforks are the way to move rotten cabbage. Throw them back over the fence
    Did this help you?
  21. 21
    Make coleslaw
    Did this help you?
  22. 22
    Applying non-selective herbicides like Roundup
    Did this help you?
  23. 23
    Hand-digging and pulling up the encroaching grass on hands and knees
    Did this help you?
  24. 24
    Using alternative selective herbicides like Drive/XLR8
    Did this help you?
  25. 25
    getting a formal land survey
    Did this help you?
  26. 26
    planting native ground cover or ivy to support the soil
    Did this help you?
  27. 27
    sharing the expense through an HOA
    Did this help you?
  28. 28
    bringing it up casually next time you see her to ask
    Did this help you?
  29. 29
    asking the neighbor directly how far they want you to mow
    Did this help you?
  30. 30
    Contacting the police to perform a welfare check on the uncooperative neighbor
    Did this help you?
  31. 31
    stopping maintenance on the affected area and letting it grow wild
    Did this help you?
  32. 32
    spraying weed killer or brush killer along the property line
    Did this help you?
  33. 33
    building a separate fence to block the view
    Did this help you?
  34. 34
    cleaning up the neighbor's yard oneself to avoid dealing with the nuisance
    Did this help you?
  35. 35
    moving the plywood yourself
    Did this help you?
  36. 36
    talking directly and firmly to the crew about property boundaries
    Did this help you?
  37. 37
    filming interactions
    Did this help you?
  38. 38
    taking down the unauthorized fence
    Did this help you?
  39. 39
    Talking to the neighbor directly
    Did this help you?
  40. 40
    Using a 2x4 and screws for a temporary fix
    Did this help you?
  41. 41
    Pushing the fence back up and nailing or screwing boards in place
    Did this help you?
  42. 42
    Using fence mender plates like Simpson Strong-Tie
    Did this help you?
  43. 43
    Getting estimates and splitting repair costs 50%
    Did this help you?
  44. 44
    Trimming the branches that hang over the property line
    Did this help you?
  45. 45
    Checking local laws and codes
    Did this help you?
  46. 46
    Calling local tree companies
    Did this help you?
  47. 47
    politely asking them on multiple occasions to stop playing there
    Did this help you?
  48. 48
    telling him you are busy cooking dinner
    Did this help you?
  49. 49
    talking to his wife about his behavior
    Did this help you?
  50. 50
    making up an excuse like having herpes or COVID
    Did this help you?
  51. 51
    having an intimidating male friend or partner pretend to be there
    Did this help you?
  52. 52
    waiting until the planned fence installation next year to address it
    Did this help you?
  53. 53
    talking to neighbors immediately to explain future plans without demanding immediate removal
    Did this help you?
  54. 54
    throwing a trellis and climbing plants in front of it
    Did this help you?
  55. 55
    planting shrubs on your own property to hide it
    Did this help you?
  56. 56
    installing a faux stone facing or a wooden fence
    Did this help you?
  57. 57
    offering to pay for or split the cost of a new wall
    Did this help you?
  58. 58
    installing curtains or privacy glass film on windows
    Did this help you?
  59. 59
    considering putting up a fence to subdivide the alleyway
    Did this help you?
  60. 60
    pondering whether to refuse the request entirely or allow an easement
    Did this help you?
  61. 61
    Installing a physical barrier or rock dmz between properties
    Did this help you?
  62. 62
    Putting up metal edging to block grass and give a clear visual boundary
    Did this help you?
  63. 63
    Ignoring the complaints or walking away
    Did this help you?
  64. 64
    Asking the landscaping crew to change blowing direction or bag clippings in that area
    Did this help you?
  65. 65
    Taking photos of the property and damage
    Did this help you?
  66. 66
    Contacting the contractor directly
    Did this help you?
  67. 67
    asking the neighbor to remove the weeds
    Did this help you?
  68. 68
    relying on city requirements for short vegetation along streets
    Did this help you?
Tried another approach not listed above?+ Share your workaround ↑

In their words

Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.

r/homeowners12 people · September 2025 – September 2026

“The neighbor now cuts approximately 50 feet into our yard in an attempt to sell their house as a “spacious backyard “.”source ↗

“This is always done when we aren’t home.”source ↗

“As the neighbor continues to cut further and further into our property. I have finally heard from a Surveyor and should be having the property surveyed soon.”source ↗

duh0811 · r/homeowners · 5,044 upvotes

“My shed encroaches on my neighbor's property by 3 feet. Now he's selling and the buyers are upset.”source ↗

LifeUnderThePalmz · r/homeowners · 3,184 upvotes

“Now I’m stuck. I don’t want to start a neighborhood feud, but that two feet makes a real difference, I was planning to put in a raised garden bed right there.”source ↗

“Would you all push this legally or let it go? What’s my best move without being that neighbor?”source ↗

Diligent-Gift-2935 · r/homeowners · 2,597 upvotes

“Now the brush has gotten out of control next to the garage (growing weed-type trees) and it’s annoying for me to mow around.”source ↗

“The brush sprouted poison sumac which spread into our yard and got me pretty good for weeks.”source ↗

“I asked him to clean it up years ago before because I was having a hard time mowing around it and he did but now it’s even worse than before.”source ↗

“I feel awkward continually asking him since it is in his yard.”source ↗

FluffyCockroach7632 · r/homeowners · 374 upvotes

“How do I get him to leave me alone for good? I do not want to know him or speak to him about anything ever.”source ↗

“How do you deal with creeps? Any women effectively handle a male neighbor like this?”source ↗

Lazybunny_ · r/homeowners · 151 upvotes

“I just had a survey done on my property. And they found that I am being encroched on all 3 sides (other then the street of course).”source ↗

“My question is when should I approach my neighbor about the encroachment?”source ↗

DCTheNotorious · r/homeowners · 68 upvotes

“If they want a gate they need a path, and if the path is through your property that's a hard no from me without some serious ground rules.”source ↗

Comfortable-Rich6488 · r/homeowners · 5 upvotes

“The issue I have is, once they put up this gate, the path from the front of the house to this gate involves traveling through a shared alleyway, and there's both privacy and liability concerns I have.”source ↗

twnbay76 · r/homeowners · 1 upvotes

“The problem started last year i kept getting nofis from my ring app (we all had rings) from my front porch of two of the little ones walking up on it or one time threw a water balloon at it.”source ↗

“Should I go talk to her to clear the air or let things be silent.”source ↗

Mama_Cat33 · r/homeowners

“my neighbor next door in my duplex keeps throwing her cabbages onto my side of the lawn because she thinks it is funny when I go over them with my riding lawn mower, and it smells terrible. Any advice?”source ↗

Tasty-Platypus-3664 · r/homeowners

“the neighbor keeps eroding the dirt with his sprinklers and blaming her sprinklers and plants.”source ↗

“He is the right house and wants her to put up a retaining wall where her plants are.”source ↗

eversnow64 · r/homeowners

“We’ve had a lot of rain this summer, and their fence is now very noticably leaning and threatening to collapse into our yard.”source ↗

dylho · r/homeowners

“Not afraid to talk to the neighbors, I’d just like to have an idea of what the solution should be before I start the conversation”source ↗

dylho · r/homeowners

“I'm worried about privacy, they can technically look into our windows if the shades are open simply walking to their yard. I'm also worried about random strangers walking through my driveway/alley way and potential liabilities.”source ↗

“Edit: also they might make me pay for it too which would most certainly be a spontaneous non trivial expense”source ↗

twnbay76 · r/homeowners
r/hvacadvice1 person · December 2025

“Came home yesterday and found that my downstairs neighbour had put this contraption on my natural gas furnace vent/exhaust pipe.”source ↗

hawknado-82 · r/hvacadvice · 1,117 upvotes
r/Roofing3 people · September 2026

“My neighbor is getting their roof replaced and they are using my roof to hold the materials. Is this something I should be concerned about?”source ↗

Doritoman25 · r/Roofing · 14 upvotes

“That’s also a ridiculous amount of weight in a small area”source ↗

NetworkCultural · r/Roofing · 1 upvotes

“Yes tell them to get it off. Immediately, go up there and take photos. Lots of photos. Every little Nick and scratch. Get the contractors number and contact them immediately.”source ↗

Think_Travel_6762 · r/Roofing · 1 upvotes
r/Landscaping8 people · September 2026 – October 2026

“Recently purchased my first home and my neighbor is constantly complaining about grass in his rock bed after my landscapers are finished.”source ↗

AaronMac0512 · r/Landscaping · 12 upvotes

“I noticed as the bush on the right grew, the hydrangea plant on the left worsened”source ↗

Feeling-Atmosphere-7 · r/Landscaping · 3 upvotes

“That lilac-looking fella on the right is definitely bullying your hydrangea out of light and root space, give it a hard prune back so the poor thing can breathe”source ↗

great_altercation · r/Landscaping · 1 upvotes

“apart from putting up a fence, is there anything else that can be placed in between the houses to create some sort of boundary, or is a fence the only option?”source ↗

Full-Sherbert7311 · r/Landscaping · 1 upvotes

“As much as I want to, he would be back knocking on my door the next week, or waiting to see me go to my car so he can stop me.”source ↗

AaronMac0512 · r/Landscaping · 1 upvotes

“I would just ask that they remove it since it's a significant source of allergens that affects everyone, don't bother with the gentle informing.”source ↗

The_Poster_Nutbag · r/Landscaping · 1 upvotes

“Have you spoken to her about it?”source ↗

19snow16 · r/Landscaping · 1 upvotes

“i’m starting to wonder if this is some sort of message or if she’s mad that my husband has mowed her front lawn occasionally? lol”source ↗

“so does anyone know if she’s trying to silently say something? lol”source ↗

Unfair_Landscape_951 · r/Landscaping

“should i inform her that it's ragweed?”source ↗

SiouxsieSiouxsie · r/Landscaping
r/HomeMaintenance4 people · September 2026

“My neighbor to the north put up a fence along the road right away bordering my property.”source ↗

“Fast forward several hours and I am coming home and he is putting up another fence. I told him no, that I my property and I do not want his fence there.”source ↗

“He calls the police. I call my daughter to film. He tells the police that I stole his fence.”source ↗

Grand-Sun-8000 · r/HomeMaintenance · 9 upvotes

“The rest of the wall is leaning significantly, and the top layer is gone. It hasn’t seemed to move since we’ve lived here (6 years), but I am sick of looking at it. Do I need to talk to my neighbor? Should I cover it up in some way?”source ↗

HistorySad1961 · r/HomeMaintenance · 5 upvotes

“My adult daughter's house, has found standing water on tile floor in dining room in middle of room and also on back porch.”source ↗

“Neighbor did not answer door or phone after months of trying.”source ↗

“She stated she is not over watering and unconcerned said it's not her problem .”source ↗

Vegasurvivor86 · r/HomeMaintenance · 1 upvotes

“If it really bothers you, I’d discuss it with your neighbor.”source ↗

walkingoffthetrails · r/HomeMaintenance · 1 upvotes
r/HomeImprovement2 people · September 2026

“Over the past few months, I've found three decent-sized branches on my roof and in my backyard.”source ↗

“He said he's aware the tree is half on his property, but he can't afford to have it taken down and doesn't think it's his problem anyway because "the branches are falling on your side."”source ↗

“I just want to know my options before a branch comes through my ceiling.”source ↗

Independent_Bird5720 · r/HomeImprovement · 2 upvotes

“The problem is their contractor keeps parking in front of my house and using my driveway as a staging area.”source ↗

“Yesterday was the last straw. I got home from work and there was a stack of plywood sitting in my driveway.”source ↗

“So now I'm stuck: * Do I talk to the neighbor or the contractor? * What do I actually say that doesn't come across as hostile? * If I talk to the contractor and they blow me off, what's the next step? * Do I call the city? The non-emergency police line? Does any of that actually help, or does it just make me look like the bad guy? * Is there a way to be firm about my property line without poisoning the relationship with the new neighbors?”source ↗

Emotional-Pop4062 · r/HomeImprovement
r/lawncare2 people · September 2026

“If you're losing sleep and mad at your neighbor, it's not worth it.”source ↗

stookem · r/lawncare · 1 upvotes

“This area close to my neighbors is being encroached by their grass that I want to say is called Johnson grass but idk what breed exactly. It's really invasive and grows shoots far and fast.”source ↗

“I've tried Roundup to kill to try to start over but their grass is almost immune to the stuff.”source ↗

“Aside from getting on my hands and knees and digging up their grass, is there any better way to either kill it all here and replant with Bermuda in the fall?”source ↗

greg43213 · r/lawncare

Where this came up

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