Am I being Petty?

[LaL 418]

For the 3rd time, I walk outside and see that my water meter has been run over. I share the meter with the neighbor who feels it necessary to park on his lawn - ok we are deed restricted, but to each his own. But it seems he does not realize when he parks on his lawn he must DRIVE AROUND our meter. now its spewing and bubbling water 1/2 way down the street.

I am pretty angry right now - the neighbors are not home. SHould I call my plumber and hope that the neighbors see the fuss outside long enough to own up to it and/or talk to them, or should I wait and see if they take care of their mess on their own? This is also my money going down the "drain".

I know some may think i am being quick to blame... and maybe so... but this is the 3rd time this has happened... and will be the 3rd time i am paying for it... none of which has been as a result of my negligence.

any thoughts?

[Fandango 1,439]

go obver thjere and say 'ya water wasting ####### learn how to frive ya muppet!';

seriously, i'd call the plumber and give them the bill.

[Melo 1]

go obver thjere and say 'ya water wasting ####### learn how to frive ya muppet!';

seriously, i'd call the plumber and give them the bill.

Yep I agree

[LaL 418]

yeah i dont know - THATS the part i think i am being petty about. I just know i'llget stuck with the bill. and i KNOW i'll be angry about getting stuck with the bill (again). why not just accept that its not fair and just possibly eat the money?

its the principle i guess.

i kninda thought i would give them a chance to correct it, maybe if morning rolls in and its still bubbling, THEN call cuz by then its just too much water to be "ignored"

[tmma 467]

go obver thjere and say 'ya water wasting ####### learn how to frive ya muppet!';

seriously, i'd call the plumber and give them the bill.

Yes! ( I mean YES what Lisa said-not YES you are being petty, btw)!

Edited May 7, 2006 by tmma

[chocolaterie 0]

It's unfair that you would have to pay it. You didn't do anything wrong!!!

[LaL 418]

well i guess i will see. another neighbor just came by and had turned off the water. i laughed and had to explain to him i wasnt ignoring the problem per se, but i was just waiting for these neighbors to get home so they can deal with it. he did tell me its my meter thats broken (of course!!). he stated he would fix it for me (saving $)

hopefully the problem neighbors will come home to see whats going on as he is out there fixing it.

thanks for the suggestions... i guess i was more venting than anything... i know what i needed to do.

[babybunny 2]

go obver thjere and say 'ya water wasting ####### learn how to frive ya muppet!';

seriously, i'd call the plumber and give them the bill.

Yep I agree

all understood was the last line soo - I agree..

[Ban Hammer 12,841]

who's property is the meter on? if on yours, put a nice large rock by the meter

[LaL 418]

who's property is the meter on? if on yours, put a nice large rock by the meter

its actually more on their side.... that's a pretty good idea

right now the neighbor fixed it for me and put little flags all around it... hopefully that will draw a *little* attention to the no drive zone

[peejay 327]

This may sound ####### retentive...but have you been documenting these transgressions (i.e. photographing the car parked in the yard and the tire tracks, taking depositions from other neighbors, getting written statements from your plumber outlining the apparent reason for the past damage, etc., etc.)? If this is the third time...have you confronted your neighbor about this destructive behavior? Maybe you should have.

Give your neighbors the benefit of the doubt and ask them for compensation. If they get testy...sue them in small claims court. If the repairs are in excess of small claims court limits, get a lawyer to write them a letter with the bill attached.

If you live in a deed restricted neighborhood that prohibits parking in the yard, get with your neighborhood civic club to initiate legal proceedings against your offending neighbors.

Don't get pissed off...get even!

No...you are not being petty. Your neighbor is obnoxious. It is nice to be on good terms with your neighbors, but this doesn't include letting them ruin your life.

[LaL 418]

This may sound ####### retentive...but have you been documenting these transgressions (i.e. photographing the car parked in the yard and the tire tracks, taking depositions from other neighbors, getting written statements from your plumber outlining the apparent reason for the past damage, etc., etc.)? If this is the third time...have you confronted your neighbor about this destructive behavior? Maybe you should have.

Give your neighbors the benefit of the doubt and ask them for compensation. If they get testy...sue them in small claims court. If the repairs are in excess of small claims court limits, get a lawyer to write them a letter with the bill attached.

Unfortunately my answer is no, i haven't documented this. And at this point I know I should.

No...you are not being petty. Your neighbor is obnoxious. It is nice to be on good terms with your neighbors, but this doesn't include letting them ruin your life.

Part of why I was wondering if i was being petty is because it has not ruined my life (although i know this was used more for effect). this time a very sweet neighbor fixed it and i gave him a $20 - hardly worth arguing with my neighbor over. The other times, yes I did call a plumber. i will be more careful.

i think i will go with the little cinderblock idea (there are very few ROCKS here in FL )

[Dixie_Peach 1]

lal_brandow... you don't say this in your post... but, is this at an apartment rental complex... or at a rental home?

i agree with the suggestion that you document and take pictures... also, if you have the receipts for the repairs before... that would be good proof also.

if you are in a rental... i would also call the landlord... see if you can get them to back you up...

have you tried to talk to the neighbor after the first couple of times of the meter being busted... and just asking him to NOT park on the lawn where the meter is?

if he is a jerk... and does not comply with the rules and regulations of not parking on the lawn... and does not even attempt to compensate you for HIS negligence... i think it is a good time to take legal action...

wishing you the best!

Lynne

[MichelleandCraig 1]

I fully agree with Peejay..being a good neighbor only goes SO FAR. I would be a lot more annoyed than you(sound) if I were in your position..plus, we don't have the money(not saying you do!!) to keep having it fixed ourselves, so if they didn't pay it when I presented it to them, I would probably be pursuing it even further..you have been a VERY(read..too nice..no offense!) neighbor; time for them to do their part!! M.

[Ban Hammer 12,841]

This may sound ####### retentive...but have you been documenting these transgressions (i.e. photographing the car parked in the yard and the tire tracks, taking depositions from other neighbors, getting written statements from your plumber outlining the apparent reason for the past damage, etc., etc.)? If this is the third time...have you confronted your neighbor about this destructive behavior? Maybe you should have.

Give your neighbors the benefit of the doubt and ask them for compensation. If they get testy...sue them in small claims court. If the repairs are in excess of small claims court limits, get a lawyer to write them a letter with the bill attached.

Unfortunately my answer is no, i haven't documented this. And at this point I know I should.

No...you are not being petty. Your neighbor is obnoxious. It is nice to be on good terms with your neighbors, but this doesn't include letting them ruin your life.

Part of why I was wondering if i was being petty is because it has not ruined my life (although i know this was used more for effect). this time a very sweet neighbor fixed it and i gave him a $20 - hardly worth arguing with my neighbor over. The other times, yes I did call a plumber. i will be more careful.

i think i will go with the little cinderblock idea (there are very few ROCKS here in FL )

or if you know anyone taking a road trip, have them bring back something about 2' x 3'

also try the landscaping section of home depot or lowe's