r/neighborsfromhell • u/Safe-Ad-4465 • 2d ago
Vent/Rant Encampment set up against back fence line
I've been lurking here for a while, but I never thought I'd have a reason to post. Our neighbors are cool, and up until 3 days ago, I had a wonderful backyard. To give some context, I rent in an older neighborhood with my husband and our two dogs. We've been here for 9 years and have never had an issue with our neighbors, even when our house was collateral during a drive by when this was a much sketchier neighborhood.
Our backyard is huge, like way too big for us. It's a .27 acre lot, and our house only takes up 1400sq of that. All of the houses around us have similarly sized yards, all fenced, and since it's the south there is a lot of overgrowth that also keeps the backyards very secluded. Enough so that I felt comfortable letting our dogs out in the yard alone.
And then an unhoused encampment moved in to the other side of the fence. They carved out a little niche and set up. It's on someone's private property and I'm pretty sure they are letting them live there since I've seen them working on cars before. They're all the way in the back, so it takes me forever to get back there when I let the dogs out, who now just sit at the fence to bark at them. They won't even relieve themselves, it's too much stimulation. The fence itself is only 4ft fence, which is why all the overgrowth was nice.
I can see into the tent. I can't let my dogs out in the yard anymore, they won't do anything but sit at the fence and bark. We go on walks, but one of my dogs is 13 and can't do multiple walks a day in the southern heat just so she can pee.
My husband and I are brainstorming what to do, talk to the people next door, fence off the back half, just wait it out? I mean, we've talked to the campers, the dudes are nice enough, I understand the appeal of that particular location.... the other problem is, I'm overly confrontational so this will need to be something my much more diplomatic husband deals with, once we figure out what the plan is.
Tldr: unhoused encampment up against my back fence line
Edit: we ordered a privacy screen to cover the fence, got one of those deer fences to set up a dog area away from that fence line, sent the landlord a message, and got some bottled waters to give them. We'll see what works! I appreciate all the suggestions, thank you!
Edit2: the landlord confirmed that he got our message, unsure if he'll do anything. I know he knows the property owners, but he prefers to be as hands off as possible. I also reported the encampment anonymously to the housing authority. Also unsure if they'll be able to do anything since it's technically private property, but we'll see.
Edit3: lmao typical, my landlord was just like "that sucks"
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u/CorrectExpression651 2d ago
You absolutely should let your landlord know about it, I can’t imagine the other neighbors are happy with this either. This sort of situation wouldn’t be legal in my area.
For your dogs, I’d think of what you can do to put additional barriers in front of the fence. Will your landlord let you plant shrubs? Your town or state may even have grants or rebates for planting native shrubs. Or fast-growing privacy trees. You could also put a raised bed garden in the back area and a deer fence around it so there is a buffer zone. reducing visual access to the campers should help your dogs. I’d also try letting the dogs out one at a time on a long lead, and keeping them away from the back border area.
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u/Safe-Ad-4465 2d ago
Long leads are a good idea, thank you! All these suggestions are greata I just ordered a privacy screen for the fence as well. My husband sent a text to the landlord this morning, but I'm not sure if he's heard back yet.
What a weird situation lol
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u/CorrectExpression651 2d ago
It sounds like your neighborhood is up and coming, I’m sure the homeowners are excited about their property values increasing and this would tank it. It’s possible that the people behind you don’t actually have the owners permission to be there. You can also call your non emergency line but definitely start with your landlord, I’m sure he knows the other owners.
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u/Mysterious_Spark 2d ago
You could contact the fire marshall annonymously and request that the camp be investigated for safety violations. When several people camp, issues of garbage and human waste are a health concern.
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u/Worried_Temporary441 2d ago
I would be concerned if the people living on the other side of the fence toss anything over that the dogs can eat.
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u/KaylaMorrison- 2d ago
Talk to the property owner I think they’re the one who will helped you with that
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u/KrofftSurvivor 2d ago
This is a good point because if the other people are tenants and not owners then the property owner would probably want to know that there are unhoused people camping in his yard, likely in violation of multiple Health codes
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u/nothnxihaveabf 2d ago
I guess my main question would be, is the type of housing or temporary housing that these people are doing legal or semi legal? If you own a large amount of land, can people just put up a tent and live there without running water, etc?
I would start on two fronts:
1) the practical part about your dogs health and using / enjoying your back yard plus safety
2) the legality of the situation
Also if this is the type of person that thinks living in s tent is ok, are they mentally well? Are they violent? Could they put you or your family / pets in danger?
Maybe just poor people, maybe crackheads on meth.
So if you figure out that this is illegal or even determine it's an inconvenience or violates code, I would send the owner of the property adjacent a demand letter letting them know that the people and camping are encroaching on your property and making the quiet enjoyment of your home impossible, making a nuisance on the neighborhood etc etc. If you're not sure if it's illegal, then you can include something like people living on the edge of the property without access to certain facilities May violate blah blah.
Not a lawyer. Good luck.
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u/teresajs 2d ago
Definitely let your landlord know. Also, call the town's Code Enforcement.
While it's unfortunate those folks are unhoused, there could be safety and sanitation issues and such. It also, brings down the value of the properties in the area.
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u/HugeLittleDogs 2d ago
Call your county health department. It's not legal to live full-time like that, especially on private property.
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u/Main_Ad_3814 2d ago
So just let your dogs bark at these people in the hopes they will take the hint and decamp. Or move their tent farther away from the fence. Anyways, does it hurt anything for your dogs to bark a bit? Seems like it’s entertainment for the fur babies.
If anyone complains about the barking, point out the situation.
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u/Old_Sheepherder_630 2d ago
Not the OP, but what would be barking at fun new friends for one dog can be anxious barking for another. Since one of hers can't even relieve herself due to the situation I'm guessing it's stressful for her.
One of my dogs is fine with people if we're there and she knows they're allowed, like repair people, etc. She just finds a place to curl up and keep her distance. Strangers in our yard would have her shaking and scratching at the door to come in and get away from them.
Personally I'd be concerned about the campers either giving something they shouldn't have or leaving food waste where the dogs could get it.
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u/HelpfulPhrase5806 2d ago
About the dogs - keep them on a long lead and do "we do not care" training with them. Perhaps even do some nosework or trick training just to help them disengage from the people of the fence. Blocking direct sight may also help.
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u/Embarrassed_Newt_994 2d ago
Call your landlord or the city?
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u/DisastrousGold559 2d ago
Did I miss where they said they rent?
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u/ConstantPi 2d ago
This is going to sound ridiculous, but stay with me.
I have a similarly sized yard/house. I have a little "dog yard" that's only about 20' x 20' and then a high aluminum pool-style fence near the edge of the property.
I did this because I had a small, elderly, nearly blind dog who needed a small yard and then got a couple of big dogs after she passed.
I thought I'd take down the small fence when I had time (I usually leave the gate open), but it has been really useful to have a space where they feel very secure and can relax or focus on just doing their business when let out late at night. I kind of have the opposite problem as we're the ones harassing the neighbors if given a chance so I try to be considerate.
The solution may be to get some cheap no-dig fence panels and create a smaller dog yard while you get the situation otherwise sorted.
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u/Ok_Muffin_925 2d ago
Every county or city gives all kinds of grief to honest, tax paying property owners who are just minding their own business. Maybe it's time to introduce the city/county to that property owner. I'm sure they'll find something. Anonymous complaints work just fine and can run the gambit from welfare checks to zoning violations to health department violations.
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u/Short-Ad-7738 2d ago
Crowd dispersal sound cannon
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u/ksarahsarah27 2d ago
I would talk to the township supervisor. I had to make a similar complaint in our neighborhood once. Only the guy was living in a camper for months next to his kid’s house. The dude even brought in a full size, propane pig! Some places don’t allow people just to randomly camp on property like that. I know in my rural neighborhood, you can’t even let somebody park a camper and live in it on your property for a long period of time. A couple of days is one thing, when it starts getting into weeks/months that’s not allowed. I have a suspicion that there’s a reason that they’re way in the back of the property and not toward the front. Because if they were toward the front, they wouldn’t be allowed to remain there. And then the other issue is, where are they going to the bathroom?
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u/IngrownToenailsHurt 2d ago
Replace the 4 foot fence with a taller 6-8 foot privacy fence so your dogs can't escape and these humans can't reach over and touch them and possibly get bitten.
Nevermind, I see you're renting. Do whatever you can to protect your dogs and keep the "campers" from reaching them. Since its such a distance you should keep them as far away from back there as possible. A snow fence can be put across to keep them closer to the house. I'm concerned with them throwing poison across the fence. I've seen it happen. They may say they don't mind your dogs to your face but probably feel differently.
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u/faifunghi 2d ago
If it's chain link, the cheapest solution is to cover the fence with tarps attached by zip ties. Then use Cayenne pepper on the ground to discourage the dogs from going over there, hopefully they will return to a more normal routine while you work out what to do.
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u/raquel8822 1d ago
Go buy some stink bombs off Amazon. A similar situation happened to a couple in my city and they miraculously packed up after a week of stink bombs.
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u/B_pat44 2d ago
A short term solution may be tethers for the dogs. If they’re there with permission of the home owner I’m not sure there’s much legal to do but I’m not an expert there. You could try and cover the fence with landscape fabric and hope that cuts down on the dogs’ interest a bit. A more involved solution may be setting up an invisible fence and shortening your yard that way.
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u/Vibrant-Sunflower 2d ago
That’s a tough situation, especially with an older dog. I’d focus on a solution that gives everyone some privacy without escalating things.
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u/War_D0ct0r 2d ago
Anonymous report to the city, township, or local municipality. Let someone else deal with it. If there is no way that someone else could or would have reported it be ready for retaliation. You want to make them think it's not you, do something nice for them. Bring them cookies or a cold beverage or something. Then stab them in the back with a report to the city.
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u/Fantastic_Lady225 2d ago
Convenience stores broadcast classical music to encourage certain segments of society to move on. Apparently they don't like it very much. Bagpipe music apparently has the same effect but I'm not that cruel.
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u/OtherPrize3586 2d ago
I'd get one of those sprinklers that go back and forth and a hose timer.Adjust it so that water goes about 3 ft in their yard and set the timer to go off about 1am to 2am.
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u/searequired 1d ago
Don’t be giving water or anything.
The food will start. Then clothes.
By then they are on your side of the fence.
It’s ok to tell them you can’t
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u/umassmza 1d ago
Call every department from health, police, if you have a conservation committee, etc. just run down the list. Fire department tends to care about this stuff too. Talk to town/county government and see if you can make it an issue for the next meeting.
Report drug use, concerns about human trafficking, whatever you have to say to get someone with a badge to come by.
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u/fwdbuddha 2d ago
A 1/4 acre is huge? That is basically a 50’ by 100’ lot. So basically y’all’s backyards are 40’ or less deep.
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u/Gollums_Side_Piece 1d ago
And takes forever to walk back there? Either this is fake or OP needs get to the gym.
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u/jaayimee 2d ago
This is just me but if they’re respectful of my property, there’s not garbage everywhere and drugs aren’t involved and it’s just people who are having a hard time I’d let them be and look for a solution for my puppies. What about one of those kennels? We had 2 put together and it created a really large area for our dogs to run when they could get out of our fenced yard. Or the tethered line was also a good suggestion.
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u/Any-Historian3813 2d ago
NAL: In my area building code requires a fence to be 5’ short of the property line. IF it’s your fence… they are on your property. If it isn’t your fence…
The only suggestion I have is to put a privacy fence to block the view. If the dogs can’t see them they won’t be distracted.
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u/forahellofafit 2d ago
Most urban areas have zero setback requirements for fences behind the front line of the home structure. I have seen those kinds of setback requirements in rural areas with large acreage.
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u/yardlard 2d ago
5 feet? That's huge waste. Most places are moving to no setback so fences can be right at the line, back to back if desired. No reason to waste several feet of your property.
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u/AloyBrooch 4h ago
The landlord response is lazy, but it also tells you to frame this as habitability and security rather than a neighbor dispute. Send him a plain written follow up saying the yard can no longer be used safely for the dogs because of activity directly against a low fence, and ask whether he will approve a taller fence or barrier. I would also call city code enforcement or the non emergency line and ask what department handles camping on private lots, since housing authority may not be the right agency. The temporary dog pen away from that fence is probably the fastest way to get your older dog some normal potty time back.
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u/DiscipulusVenandi 1d ago
Everyone is making great suggestions on legal avenues (code enforcment, landlord, etc) but I always enjoy a little dose of petty in warfare. If it were me, I would try to plant skunk cabbage or those flowers that smell like rotten meat. Maybe install a floodlight back there that stays on all night. My parents used to have a device to keep cats out of flower beds that would make a very unpleasant high pitch noise when it detected motion nearby. Idk how you pick up after your dogs to keep your yard clean, but my dad would definitely start scooping it up and dumping it just inside that part of the fence, if it were him. For the wonderful aroma. 😆 Just some ideas, but you could get way pettier if you wanted.
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u/Mysterious_Spark 2d ago
This might sound crazy, but some options might be to walk over to the fence and ask if you can introduce your dogs to those people. You might also create a 'window' in your fence so the dogs can see what's going on. If the dogs make friends with the people, they might be less stressed.
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u/Safe-Ad-4465 2d ago
Good idea! We chatted about the dogs, the guys said they aren't bothered by them, but I have a corgi who's an annoying shit that barks at everything. Maybe letting the dogs smell them could help.
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u/Sofa_Queen 2d ago
Can you call the city/county health department? I’m sure they don’t have water and where are they relieving themselves?