Copyright 2005-2007 All Rights Reserved Charles E. Marunde & FreeRealEstateLaw.com
How to Deal With the Neighbor From Hell
Here are tips on what does and what does not work when you have to
deal with a neighbor from hell (NFH).

What does NOT work when dealing with a NFH:

  1. You cannot bargain with a NFH from a position of weakness.
  2. You cannot negotiate with the NFH.  They want it all.
  3. Compromising with the NFH means giving to him and taking from
    you.  
  4. You should never give the NFH the slightest advantage or benefit,
    because it means nothing to him, except another step in taking
    more from you.  
  5. The NFH does not think like you, so don't try to negotiate with him
    as though he were rational like you and as though he were
    motivated by the same healthy motivations.  He is not.

What does work when dealing with a NFH:

  1. Only bargain from a position of strength.
  2. Stay on track, stick with the truth.
  3. Never compromise the facts or the law.
  4. Be like a steam roller and keep on keeping on.  Do not give up, and
    stick with the same arguments without compromising.
  5. Find an attorney who will help you to do much of your own work, so
    you will not get stuck with massive attorney's fees.
  6. Use self-help on real estate as much as is legally possible.  This
    drives the NFH mad, and that is what you have to do, unless you
    want to lose the whole battle.
  7. You have to be assertive and consistent in dealing with the NFH.
  8. You and your attorney must be proactive and assertive, meaning
    you must stay ahead of the NFH and not just react.  When you are
    only reacting, he is in control.  Do not let that continue.
  9. Have a complete strategy for dealing with the NFH on your real
    estate issues.  Know how you will win, and implement that plan, or
    don't even get in the race.
Neighbor Blocks Easement With Gate;
Neighbor Installs Speed Bump on Shared Easement;
Neighbor Drives Across Property Without Permission;
The Classic Profile of The Violator;
How to Deal With the Neighbor:  What Works & What Doesn't Work.
The importance of wise
counsel cannot be
overemphasized when
dealing with the
neighbor from hell.  It is
my opinion that a good
attorney in this area is
not only competent in
the subject matter and
the procedure, but is
also a student of human
behavior.  If he isn't, it
could cost you a small
fortune, not to mention
stress.  Chuck  
Marunde, Attorney
(retired).
This is a common problem in Sequim and Port Angeles, Washington.