Neighbors
from hell have entered your 'hood?
Do you need to get even with
neighbors that have done
you wrong? Revenge requires
that certain steps are first taken before the 'getting even
action' begins.
So here is RG's "Steps of Revenge Preparation"
-- document everything in a journal, make notes of dates, times,
events, everything, leave nothing out and write down your entries on
the day they happen
-- protect your family and property with video surveillance
-- contact your local city council (residential condominium strata
council if you live in such a development) and understand the bylaws
as they pertain to your situation.
These simple steps, although time consuming, are
necessary to make any type of revenge successful.
Revenge Guy's archived advice. Let's
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Dear
Revenge Guy,
My boyfriend and I rented this townhouse and the HOA
is run by your typical older, bitter woman on a power trip.
Monday was a holiday and typically trash pick up
day. I suggested to my boyfriend to put the trash out Tuesday, but I was
incorrect on the make up of the trash day. We later found the trash on
our doorstep, courtesy of the HOA lady.
She also follows around the neighbors that have
dogs in her SUV to make sure they're cleaning up after their dogs. She
will literally sit there in her car and watch them until the dog is
done, and the couple has retreated their house and then start her
complaining.
She also called our landlords and threatened to
have us evicted because she suspected we were running a business out of
our garage, (my boyfriend works in power-tools and builds us things like
a TV stand, headboard, etc). We don't sell anything he makes - its just
a hobby and he never runs the tools past 9 pm as per the bi-laws.
What type of revenge can I evoke that will remind this mean lady that
you catch more flies with honey? I really want to tactfully call her out
on her "power trip" ways and teach her to be human. However, hauling my
smelly garbage is pretty self satisfactory. Any ideas?
Thanks, Texas Couple
Hi Texas Couple,
This is one nosy woman!
The best way to take care of this is:
1. Start a journal of times, dates and places that she is watching you
and/or your neighbors;
2. Watch HER back... take out a camera, video her, whatever, just so she
knows what’s going on, that she knows that you know… blah, blah...
3. Contact your current landlord and get a copy of the bylaws. See where
this lady’s “observing you” is contrary to the right of enjoyment of the
property, send her a photocopy and a note saying you’ll sue her, get her
kicked out, etc.
HOA’s are usually pretty uptight about having
people threatening their collective insurance costs due to legal
problems and will usually force the person to sell their unit and move
instead of dealing with their behavior towards others in the courts.
That is what I’d do… and maybe... just as a bonus, attach a note to her
door thanking her for “cleaning up” the garbage because of the mix-up
about the change in garbage days. You don’t have to sign it, it’s just
another “you know that she knows” type of things.
And the next time she calls your landlord, invite him over to talk about
“this problem”. I’m sure that YOUR lease says something about ”enjoyment
of premises” so if you can’t sue HER you can sue HIM until the issue of
your privacy is resolved.
Dear Revenge Guy,
We have some nasty neighbors that live beside us. We have lived at
the same house for over 10 years. When they moved in, 4 years ago,
we told them we had planned on getting a pool and their family would
be welcome to come swimming any time. They answered with "If we want
to go to the pool we'll go to the country club." Need I say more
about the people we're dealing with? And, the husband is a lawyer.
Right before we installed a pool, a
year later, they wanted us to put it where they wanted it. They said
that if we didn't they would cause as much trouble for us as
possible. They said, "Just because we're neighbors doesn't mean we
have to be friends."
The first day that it was open, my
birthday, they called the police for noise disturbance. It was just
me and my husband. How much noise could that be? Next, they filed a
lawsuit saying our light was trespassing on their property. By
trespassing I mean the light was touching their property. I told my
husband, "Just shut off the light. They will be back." They came
back. The got the homeowner's association involved. The complaint
was not that we played our music too loud but, we played it too long
(I would turn on music about 11am-5pm). We filed a lawsuit against
the homeowner's association asking them to prove that what we were
doing was wrong. Long story short, everything was dropped. My
problem: The amount I had to pay my lawyer to defend my right to
enjoy my property. HOW CAN I GET BACK AT THESE MONSTER NEIGHBORS?
Rachel
Dear
Rachel,
In your position what I'd do is start inviting
members of the HOA to a weekly swim, BBQ or other type of gathering.
Heal the bad feelings that may linger while further irritating your
bastard neighbors.
As well, invite your friends to have their son's/daughters birthday
parties, after school swims, whatever you can to have some good
times in your backyard during the day, ending before 10:00pm.
Your neighbor is a lawyer? He'll know
how far you can go before you cross the rules, but he'll still try
to force you to do what he wants.
As well, I'd start doing some reading
of the HOA bylaws. It's very likely he's breaking some rules that
he's not even aware of. Turn their home life upside down, that's
what I'd do. I'd also try to get on the board of the HOA, make some
changes complimentary to your lifestyle when possible and contrary
to what your idiot neighbors like. When you're on the HOA, maybe you
can get their particular type of car banned because of size, height,
even green house gasses!
Let the noise start!!
And, I'd post a copy of the dismissed suit against you on your front
window.
Keep memories alive.
Dear Revenge Guy,
I have a situation in the laundry room in my apartment building.
Twice, someone has stolen my nearly full bottle of Tide. I know, I
know: fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice shame on me. It just
ticks me off that I can't trust the 8 other people I live with in my
apartment building. Plus, Tide is expensive! Anyway, I'm not sure
who is stealing my Tide, but I have my suspicions. Still, I don't
know for sure.
Both times the Tide has been stolen, it was when I left the soap in
the laundry room while the machine was washing my clothes. It seems
like the culprit listens to see if the washing machine is running
and then goes and checks to see if any soap has been left in the
laundry room.
I need your advice. I bought a small bottle of Tide and filled it
half with bleach. I was planning to leave the bottle in the laundry
room and let it get stolen again, so that when the thief used the
doctored soap to wash clothes, the clothes would get bleached.
However, the soap and bleach reacted when I mixed them together, and
it just made a bubbly mess. I thought about mixing dye with bleach,
but I don't want to ruin the washing machine and/or other people's
clothes in the apartment.
Here's where you come in. Any advice?
Thanks,
Zeke
Dear
Zeke,
There is a powered solution that you can mix with
powder Tide and get the creep that steals your soap.
Pretty well any other powered cleaner will do, just to mix together
but my suggestion would be to mix the laundry soap with a powered
food, like instant potato flakes.
They’ll make a hell of a mess but easily be cleaned in the washer by
just running it through another cycle.
The clothes, however, will be ruined.
Dear
Revenge Guy
I have a neighbor who copies Everything I Do.
I love to garden and now her house looks just like mine, she sees I
have something new she will drive and drive till she can find it.
And to top that off she is so rude to me and my family she is 50 or
older woman who does not work and I'm in my 30's stay at home mom.
When I'm out gardening I can feel her watching me though her window
or at night I'm outside watering she is sitting on her bench outside
watching me in the dark she has a family and she has them believing
that I am coping her and doing all this freaky stuff.
She even went as far as getting the same exact dog as us we have,
she is so frustrating! In time I wish I could just move but of
course this is not an option What do I do to get revenge on this
women so her family can really see what she is like?
Thanks for your help!
Hi,
I once saw this exact same thing in a “Dear Abby” column.
Dear Abby said that her copying you is a form of flattery. She
obviously has no self-esteem, cannot make decisions on her own, and
she likes your sense of style.
It is flattery, after all. Creepy, but a compliment.
And I’m sure her family has a great idea as to the type of person
she is.
As for revenge, if you still have “neighborly chats” with this woman
what I’d do is chat it up with her about changes you’re going to
make, inside and outside your home. Mislead her as to the changes
you’re planning. Re-enforce your chats with having trades people
come by, kitchen renovators, garden centers, all kinds of trades.
Maybe talk about putting a pond in the backyard. That’s major
maintenance, let her get one first.
Re-paving or otherwise redoing your driveways and walkways. Major
work and expense. Let her think you’re doing it and maybe she’ll do
it first. Go to your local garden store and pick up about a dozen
stone blocks to try out on your driveway.
I hope my suggestions help!
Dear
Revenge Guy,
I have a big problem with my neighbors who live
across the street from me. I live in a suburb of Houston, Texas. I live
on a street of only 13 homes on 1 acre sites. I moved here 3 years ago.
It was peaceful and the neighbors are all nice. But last year a non-english
speaking family with 3 children moved in.
They do not fit in on our street at all.
You can't talk to them because they only know spanish. All the neighbors
including my self can not understand how they can afford a $260,000.00
house we think they are illegal!
The problem is they play Latino music loud
all the time, they have low riding thugs come over and they stare and my
daughters and everything we have. So we spent $3000.00 on a privacy
fence to block their view, which I had not planned on doing!
Their son I'm guessing is around 13 yrs
old drives a loud four wheeler all the time! I can't even stand to go
out and do my yard work or just enjoy time outside. My husband and I
planned on staying here we have done so many improvements I hate to have
them run me out! I want to run them out!! Can you give me Ideas on how
to make their life here as miserable as they have made mine.
Thanks, House in Houston
Dear
Fed Up,
I think you need to talk to the police. Just go into
the local station and have a talk with them.
And then the next stop is your local city
hall and find out about bylaws for traffic, privacy and land use.
You can't choose your neighbors, like you can your friends, but you can
make sure they play by the local rules/laws.
And for the hell of it, get a loud stereo and play some Tom Jones
outside while you garden.
Hello
Revenge Guy,
I would like some help with creating some "instant karma" for my
inconsiderate neighbors.
We live on a lake
and have been in our home for over a decade. Our neighbors have
always been civil and we have had an okay relationship with them.
About 18 months
ago, they came to us with an idea about putting a garage on the lot
line, towards the lake, we said that we did not like that idea for
many reasons including: losing morning sun, drainage issues, snow
buildup issues, an echo at our house (as our patio where we
entertain is right there) and on and on... Essentially, we would
have a big wall where a big open area used to be.
At that time they
said they would "take it into consideration". They have decided to
go ahead with the project now and have never talked to us about it
again. (actually they have pretty much ignored us). They only come
out on weekends, and are turning a nice, lake setting into a lot
with 10 pounds of sh-t packed onto a 5 pound lot, they're just
weekend warriors. I would like to know what your thoughts are on
showing them my dissatisfaction for years to come.
any ideas?
Hi,
There are always building codes and local bylaws to govern the
construction of any permanent building that has walls and a roof. Do
some research into this, you may have a legal answer to your revenge
request. Get them harassed by the building inspectors, get a new
survey done of your land so you know exactly where the boundary is
and make sure they don't build too close to the property line (there
are usually bylaws against building within 10 feet of the property
line, or some distance close to ten feet). That would be first.
Second would be
talking to a lawyer about the "loss of enjoyment" you are suffering,
there may be a legal civil suit there somewhere.
Thirdly I'd plant a whole lot of fruit trees along your mutual
border.
They take away your view, you harass them year after year with
leaves and over-ripe fruit falling on their side.
Dear
Revenge Guy,
Me and my wife recently moved in to a new house
we have a 5yr old child. Now our neighbors have been sending their child
over to our house, that's usually fine but they send her over for
3-5 hours a day!
This is as soon as I come home from work
which makes it that much more frustrating. The child doesn't listen to a
word we say and is always fighting with our son, then on top of that
we've went over and talked to her parents about this they tell us to
tell her to behave and that they won't let her stay as long anymore.
At first they did then they started "we'll
pick her up in an hour", 1 hour goes by they're not there to pick her
up, 2 then 3 then 4 then 5 then 6 hours later they come back, and where
have they been? At the movies then they went to dinner, no call to us,
no nothing!
What I find to be even more frustrating of
all is that they never once invite my son over to play at their house.
Now a month later nothing has changed, she
is still in our house 3-5 hours a day misbehaving, touching stuff she
shouldn't be touching, slamming doors, yelling at and hitting our son
now! At time she's a very sensitive girl so its hard to ask her to leave
without hurting her feelings. How do we send the message to her parents
that were not a daycare?
Please help us R.G
M in OH
Dear
M in OH,
Quite simply I’d post a sign on your front door that
says “Sorry, no play dates today, we are sick in this house.”
Should the child just walk into your home, hand her the note and send
her on her way.
Some people just take advantage and this has to stop or you’ll be
supporting them through high school with free daycare.
The note option should hold them off and when you get a good chance to
talk with them, do so. Explain that “play dates” and “babysitting” are
two different things.
Play dates are agreed by both families for convenient times;
Babysitting is not anything you are willing to do but you can certainly
recommend some for them.
Should you be stuck again with the child, have a sit down with her and
tell her the rules of being in your home.
Go so far as giving her time outs, sitting in the corner on a chair,
when she misbehaves.
Call her parents immediately telling them what is going on.
And, to protect yourself, start a journal of when you have had the child
in your home and the parents have been unreachable.
Document all times and dates that you have had the child in your house.
Add the instances of misbehavior of the child and the corrective
measures you took towards her.
I can see this spilling into nasty words between you and this
inconsiderate couple. But I don’t see losing them as friends much of a
loss.
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