Neighbor Tries To Make Man Fix His Fence So They Could Use The Pool, He Removes It As Retaliation

In an ideal world, our neighbors not only lend us power tools or a cup of sugar whenever we’re in a pinch but they also share a good laugh and maybe even invite us to their barbeque party.

However, as Reddit user NotGayRyan‘s post on r/MaliciousCompliance tells us, reality can be quite different.

In it, he recalled a time when his friends had their fence damaged and the person living on the opposite side pressured the couple to repair it ASAP, so much so that they even called the city to speed things up.

One winter, this couple had their fence damaged, and they planned to fix it in spring

Neighbor Tries To Make Man Fix His Fence So They Could Use The Pool, He Removes It As Retaliation

Image credits: Alan Stanton / Flickr (not the actual photo)

But their bossy neighbor didn’t want to wait that long

Neighbor Tries To Make Man Fix His Fence So They Could Use The Pool, He Removes It As Retaliation

However, the authorities told the neighbor it was their own problem

Neighbor Tries To Make Man Fix His Fence So They Could Use The Pool, He Removes It As Retaliation

Image credits: LightFieldStudios / Envato (not the actual photo)

Neighbor Tries To Make Man Fix His Fence So They Could Use The Pool, He Removes It As Retaliation

Image credits: NotGayRyan

Neighbors usually settle their disagreements themselves

Before taking legal action, often the best move is to approach your neighbors in person. Many disputes can be resolved through open discussion.

Calling in the authorities every time you disagree can seriously damage the future of your relationship, many of which have been deteriorating in many places around the world.

For example, in the 1970s, more than two in five Americans said they spent at least one social evening a month with a neighbor, but now, just over half talk to their neighbors once a week (52%), and more than three in five have gone out of their way to straight-up avoid them.

Furthermore, more than one in four say they don’t care to get to know their neighbors better (27%).

This story also illustrates the fact that half of Americans are annoyed by their neighbors at least a few times a month (most often due to general noise, loud parties, and parking).

Neighbor Tries To Make Man Fix His Fence So They Could Use The Pool, He Removes It As Retaliation

Image credits: RDNE Stock project / Envato (not the actual photo)

When neighbor vs. neighbor conflicts arose, most took steps to address the situation (86%) and:

Discussed the issue personally with the neighbor (49%);
Called the police (27%);
Notified the neighborhood or owners association (15%);
Sent a letter, note, or email (11%);
Went to court (4%);
Went to mediation (4%);
Took some sort of other action (4%);
Took no action at all (14%).

In the vast majority of cases – 82% – people said that the issue was eventually resolved to their satisfaction:

Mutually settled (40%) (no outside or third-party intervention);
The matter resolved itself (35%) (neighbor moved, behavior stopped, etc.);
The outside party solved the problem (11%) (police, court, association, etc.);
The matter is still unresolved (14%).

So let’s hope these folks find a way to put their differences behind them as well.

People who read the story were really satisfied with its ending

Neighbor Tries To Make Man Fix His Fence So They Could Use The Pool, He Removes It As Retaliation

And some folks shared their own similar experiences

Neighbor Tries To Make Man Fix His Fence So They Could Use The Pool, He Removes It As Retaliation

Poll Question

Thanks! Check out the results:

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

Read less »

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

WhozRite 3 months ago (edited)

I used to be a Code Enforcement Officer for a local municipality and I used to run into this exact situation during the course of my day. The look of satisfaction on the face of the homeowner when they find out they don't have to repair their fence, but can remove it completely, and be within town code. And the look of shock (and eventual anger!) when the complaining neighbor finds out they aren't getting a new fence (that isn't their's anyway!) I really liked that part of my job!

18points

Paul C. 3 months ago

Our fence blew over last winter, woman next door was renting, and a young single mother. Her landlord had no interest in putting it right, I'm 70 but thought I'd give it a go, bought two x 2mtr posts and a bag of postcrete, cost about £25, really easy, I was surprised how good it was.

12points