I think the issue was their ugly letter.

Ol_Ag_02 said:

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Am I confused here. Why should I be mad at the neighbor that doesnt want anyone to tear down his chain link fence, regardless of condition, or go on his property on a regular basis to mow a strip of grass?

I probably wouldn't care but it's his property. The crap about them hoping no one ever built on the adjoining land is stupid but not really relevant to the fence.

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Because he needs to go on the adjacent property to clear out the stuff that is growing through and damaging his fence. And this neighbors said that he could not go on their property, so he just has to live with the mess.

Look at the picture he posted.. that fence doesn't look like it's at the end of it's life except for the damage from the growth.

The unkept alley is a nuisance but the trees are a real long term problem. I've had/have the exact same problem. I have an 18-20" gap from my fence and a city drainage canal.

So you get uncontrollable weed growth and trash trees that don't stop growing. The weeds worm there way into your grass. The trees will crowd and bend a fence as well as interfere with power, cable wires.

I control my alley with weed spray and fall leaves piled on it. The trees, from my neighbors, I cut on my side of the property every 3-4 years. It's a pain on both counts. My neighbor had to replace a few sections of fence when the trees pushed it over.

Yes, my issue is not really with them not wanting me on their property to mow a strip behind the fence. I don't really see the problem since they haven't come back to there in 20 years, but whatever, that's their right.

My issue is the two fences butted up against each other and I was hoping they might be reasonable and let me pay to put up one fence (being able to maintain around that fence would have been a bonus), so that mine is not being destroyed by the growth in between. Instead they're being vindictive that we even exist behind them. I have a problem when people lack civility and was hoping there might be a solution or legal statute that I wasn't aware of. Moving the fence up a couple feet with a gate to mow in between and use as storage wasn't something I had thought of so thanks for that idea. Seems like a great place for a small storage shed full of pool chemicals.

And yes, they included in their letter that they used to enjoy trespassing (said they rode horses back here) on this land before it was developed. After their letter back, I will not be trying to get to know them.

Couldn't you just build your fence far enough in and add a gate to access the strip for cleaning/clearing?

Bear with me I was on a lot of pain killers the past few days due to knee surgery lol.

The reason I was suggesting a property survey because I've seen fences put up and they were encroaching on the actual property line. If that's the case with the chain link then it solves your problem. It could be taken down without their approval. Unfortunately if it isn't there isn't anything you can do. People can be real unreasonable when it comes to fences.

Definitely do not follow advice in this thread that would further exacerbate the contention. I would follow the above advise regarding getting a survey. It will allow you to know what you can legally control and what you can't. I agree with the above poster, the chain link is probably on the property line. If so, just get rid of all the trash trees (that the survey will prove to be on your property) and build a new privacy fence 6" off the property line. I would get my homework done and then come up with a plan and go discuss it with the neighbors in person. Sure, you could legally just do it without saying anything to them at all. But, I would do my best to not start a p-i-s-s-i-n-g contest with them. Bad neighbors = bad deal. People are less likely to act like A-holes in person.