Someone complained about our house to the city

[sircastic]

Yeah, that's most people's first response..nobody likes to be told what to do..which is why the cold call on the front door isn't very good for neighbour relations. But the by-law rules exist for a reason...some complaints are obviously not very relevant..however..you always have that one neighbour....

In my recent conversation with the bylaw office (about a trailer in my driveway) I was told that it wasn't anyone on my street that complained about it. Apparently someone who lived in the city lodged a large number of complaints about different properties in different parts of the city. Some people have nothing better to do than complain.

 

[gwelfmike]

The notice can take many forms, verbal, written, if you get a card on the door, I would be phone the office up and see what is going on.

How can you fix something if the notice doesn't tell you what you're supposed to fix? Aren't there any instructions on it at all?

From above post #29 for example "... fails to comply with the notice..." - so it should be telling you to do something, no?

 

[alb]

I should complain about that guy that have his dog piss on my lawn on a regular basis.
Apparently my lawn looks like a toilet

If you live somewhere in the eastern suburbs it may be my dog. But then his leash is only about six feet long so he is p1ssing on the city's lawn. The piece of property people have been taking care of for so long they have begun to think of it as theirs.

ps. Its piss. Do you shake your fist at all the other animals pissing there? Or the sky when it rains and whatever toxic sludge is up there gets washed from the sky. My suggestion is not to eat off the lawn. Just saying...

 

[nobbie48]

Someone in my old neighbourhood complained once because after I had shoveled the driveway AND 30 metres of sidewalk I didn't salt it. For the record, I did salt it but there was a span of maybe 10 minutes that I was inside warming up and resting after shoveling a crap load of snow by myself. And it wasn't even icy on the walk, just a compressed layer of snow.

I read that the home owner is not liable for the city sidewalk. Apparently someone fell on the ice and was suing the home owner. It went to the supreme court and they basically said the city owns the property and can't shift the liability to someone else.
I'm not suggesting that bylaws regarding clearing snow aren't valid but the worst you could get is a fine. The city gets the tab for the broken bones. I shovel mine because when it's snowing I can't work so might as well do something. If it's heavy enough to warrant the blower I do a few neighbour's driveways as well.

 

[alb]

I read that the home owner is not liable for the city sidewalk. Apparently someone fell on the ice and was suing the home owner. It went to the supreme court and they basically said the city owns the property and can't shift the liability to someone else.
I'm not suggesting that bylaws regarding clearing snow aren't valid but the worst you could get is a fine. The city gets the tab for the broken bones. I shovel mine because when it's snowing I can't work so might as well do something. If it's heavy enough to warrant the blower I do a few neighbour's driveways as well.

You are not responsible if someone falls but in many municipalities you are responsible for maintenance. The city will come by and clear the snow and then bill you. I think there is even a time after the snowfall ends to get it cleared. It is the same as the lawn. You do not own the portion of your lawn next to the road for a certain number of feet (I think 16) but you have to maintain it.

 

[nobbie48]

Nosy neighbours are cowardly little pests. If something bothers them that much all they have to do is knock on the door and politely ask that you mow the lawn or take care of whatever it is that's seemingly out of order. If repeated attempts fail and it still bothers them then they can call mommy but not before. Neighbours like these are far worse than those who occasionally neglect to mow their lawn.

.

If they are ignorant enough to create a nuisance they are ignorant enough to vandalize, assault, harrass, up the ante etc and if there is any future enforcement it will be blamed on you. Sad but true.

 

[invictus43]

You are not responsible if someone falls but in many municipalities you are responsible for maintenance. The city will come by and clear the snow and then bill you. I think there is even a time after the snowfall ends to get it cleared. It is the same as the lawn. You do not own the portion of your lawn next to the road for a certain number of feet (I think 16) but you have to maintain it.

I would be happier if the City chose to cut their boulevards and weed their medians in the same timely fashion that homeowners are expected to!!! Oh right..that's gravy..

 

[invictus43]

In my recent conversation with the bylaw office (about a trailer in my driveway) I was told that it wasn't anyone on my street that complained about it. Apparently someone who lived in the city lodged a large number of complaints about different properties in different parts of the city. Some people have nothing better to do than complain.

Yeah, someone taped a piece of paper to my door from the City about not putting your garbage bin out more that 12 hours before pick-up or something..I put it out on the regular night before but it was a short week and the collection was delayed by a day. Like, really? And it's not like I ever did it before..I think they died though..ahem..no calls since!

 

[invictus43]

Or the municipality may be doing proactive enforcement on certain areas of the city

While that may be true in theory.. I'm still waiting for the guy with the skyjack, bobcat, 5 vehicles (3 without plates) and the industrial air compressor on his front lawn to get dinged! It's been months!

 

[mmmnaked]

Yeah, someone taped a piece of paper to my door from the City about not putting your garbage bin out more that 12 hours before pick-up or something..I put it out on the regular night before but it was a short week and the collection was delayed by a day. Like, really? And it's not like I ever did it before..I think they died though..ahem..no calls since!

Oh yeah? Care to tell us of your whereabouts on the night of that person's death?

 

[gwelfmike]

Usually the cities that have student or problem areas that have proactive enforcement, its not a theory, its reality. If you got a problem with your neighbour than lodge a complaint and quit waiting.

While that may be true in theory.. I'm still waiting for the guy with the skyjack, bobcat, 5 vehicles (3 without plates) and the industrial air compressor on his front lawn to get dinged! It's been months!

 

[invictus43]

Usually the cities that have student or problem areas that have proactive enforcement, its not a theory, its reality. If you got a problem with your neighbour than lodge a complaint and quit waiting.

Easy there Mike! I understand what you're saying, hence the smilie! It was a funny..if it really affected me I would complain about the guy but he's not that close to me. By-law cops have a lot on their plate, that's all.

 

[invictus43]

Oh yeah? Care to tell us of your whereabouts on the night of that person's death?

I am..unaware..of any such activity or operation...nor would I be disposed to discuss such an operation if, in fact, it were to exist...ahem...

 

[Jinniwind]

my question is that your neighbour never came up to you and complained about something face to face? they just directly went to the city?

wow even if you were at fault it would be nice if they could bring it up to you first.

 

[2stroker]

Get off my lawn.....:angry1:

 

[jc100]

Yeah, someone taped a piece of paper to my door from the City about not putting your garbage bin out more that 12 hours before pick-up or something..I put it out on the regular night before but it was a short week and the collection was delayed by a day. Like, really? And it's not like I ever did it before..I think they died though..ahem..no calls since!

Do you drive an Escalade? Last name Soprano?

 

[RockerGuy]

If you live somewhere in the eastern suburbs it may be my dog. But then his leash is only about six feet long so he is p1ssing on the city's lawn. The piece of property people have been taking care of for so long they have begun to think of it as theirs.

ps. Its piss. Do you shake your fist at all the other animals pissing there? Or the sky when it rains and whatever toxic sludge is up there gets washed from the sky. My suggestion is not to eat off the lawn. Just saying...

Well who am I to fool cutting the lawn taking care of it so weeds don't grow

 

[nobbie48]

my question is that your neighbour never came up to you and complained about something face to face? they just directly went to the city?

wow even if you were at fault it would be nice if they could bring it up to you first.

I politely asked a neighbour if they could do something about their barking dog and was told it was my fault for being in my own back yard. Theoretically people should be able to work out fair arrangements but theory isn't reality.

 

[invictus43]

my question is that your neighbour never came up to you and complained about something face to face? they just directly went to the city?

wow even if you were at fault it would be nice if they could bring it up to you first.

Ever tried to tell a stranger that their motorcycle is too loud? It's about the same..starts with F and ends with YOU!! If they thought there was a problem, they'd do something about it..they are unable to understand why you think it's an issue and they automatically think that you're telling them what to do and what right do you have! GET OFF MY LAWN!!!! It's like flashing your high-beams at someone hogging the left lane..sometimes the person moves..sometimes the person tries to run you off the road..

 

[Mr.Azim]

I've been visited by the city a few times

1 - Because the stone steps walking up to my house were crooked/became off-set
2 - I had soft blue bulbs (no, not xenons) in the front porch light instead of yellow/white ones
3 - The pile of snow accumulated by my snowblower (I put it all in the same area) was too large
4 - My dad parked his boat at the side of our house.... but we're 2 feet within the max of a boat being allowed to be parked on your property. Neighbour complained every month and at one point, the office stopped taking measurements because they kept sending the same guy.

Neighbours are idiots.... but the city still has to investigate any and every claim. PS: No, I didn't change or get ticketed for any of the above.

As I said. Neighbours are idiots.


Before the city can do anything they have to give you in writing the infraction, the solution, the deadline to be changed AND the possible fine. If you don't do any of that, then they will have to go file with the provincial offences court (which they will never do if it is under $500).