Help!!! I'm being sued!!! - Landlord Forum thread 272645

Help!!! I'm being sued!!! by Merritt (MS) on December 19, 2012 @16:41

I bought a nice single family home in a decent neighborhood, about 2 weeks ago. The next door neighbor's back yard has this Live Oak tree that is HUGE, and some limbs were ALL OVER my house and yard. Well, I tried to contact the neighbors many, many times, sometimes multiple times per day, and no joy. One time only I did get them at the door, they said that they are tenants and will have to get back with me with the property management assciation's number. But they never did.

So, because time is money, and because I don't have my whole life to wait on some moronic property management association, I just went ahead and cut the limbs off, and I did it right where the property line is(or where it certainly appears to be). Then I hauled the limbs out of there.

But, on the very DAY AFTER I cut the limbs, the Property Management Association called me(coincidence?)!!! And they informed me that they were going to sue me for cutting the limbs. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

Yeah, that's right. Those jerks never had time to call me BEFORE I trimmed the tree, but the day AFTER - look out!

Anyways, what I would like to know is, how much money might this cost me? And what are their chances of winning the suit? And what should I do here?

Also, please don't get on here and laugh at me or be disrespectful or say I told you so. Let's be professional, ok? Thanks for your help and advice.

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Re: Help!!! I'm being sued!!! by Anonymous on December 19, 2012 @16:52	[ Reply ]

They can sue you for the value of the tree if they show that your actions caused harm to the tree. Trees can be valued from $300-$3000 depending on the type and size. You also might be dinged for trespassing and vandalism if you went beyond your property line or were anywhere on their property while performing the act. Their chances can be very good at winning if you violated town ordinances, went beyond property lines, etc. Guesses to where your property line are never valid arguments. Lot sizes can be irregular and property lines are not always straight boxes and are not based on lampposts, hedges, etc. Best to contact a lawyer and see where you stand.

Re: Help!!! I'm being sued!!! by xxx on December 19, 2012 @17:05	[ Reply ]

i told you so you're not even sure where the property line is, and my guess you hacked of the branches yourself and did not get a tree professional to do it i'd sue you if i were the neighbor

now you want help? Again???? (msg) by Anonymous on December 19, 2012 @17:37	[ Reply ]

Really? REALLY???? After the advice you'd been given, and ignored because it wasn't to your liking??? You want a free pass on this? I'd sue you too, and include damages as well as attorney fees, lost wages, replacement of the tree etc etc etc and pain and suffering and you probably KILLED the big oak tree. You made your decision, now you get to pay for the privilege of ignoring sage advice. Gee, are you going to put up that fence too, without knowing the boundary lines for sure? Go right ahead and do what you want. See where that's gotten you? How about YOU being professional and doing things correctly. No sympathy here for you. You made your bed, now you get to lie in it.

you posted on nov 16 by anon (Florida) on December 19, 2012 @18:50	[ Reply ]

Ok- well we know you are just jerking the chain here- you posted about a month ago about how your felt your tenant wanted to pay the rent through having a personal relationship with you and what should you do? Get a life- that's what. This guy is a troll- and a waste of time.

Troll by Merritt (MS) on December 19, 2012 @22:52	[ Reply ]

Ok, I have to admit, I did post back on Nov 16, and I am not actually being sued(yet), but the earlier post was NOT untrue, and this one is simply geared to finding out: 1. The chances of someone winning such a suit, and 2. The amount they could possibly win. So I think I have my answer($300-$3000), and that just may be worth it. I'm trimming the tree. Thank you! Merritt

Re: Troll

Try a lawsuit for at LEAST $30,000...

Re: Troll