Check the tree laws in DC. I think you can cut back overhang with no legal ramifications as long as it does not leave the other tree as a "stump". I looked into this a few years ago and we did end up shearing off all the overhang of an annoying weed tree.

Are they old or infirm? If so, maybe they need help cleaning up their yard. You and your other neighbors could offer to help. And then have a block BBQ to celebrate and get to know everyone. Maybe that will encourage them to take better care of their yard once they get to know who is on their block.

Op, be extremely careful about touching their trees or any of their growth. If the owners can prove you lied in order to "have your ownn way", perhaps driven by a grudge or arbitrary or untrue reason, you can get into huge, deep trouble. Are your neighbors the types to have photos in their favor? And/or deep pockets for a great property lawyer?

In our neighborhood, the slob neighbors have little or no resources, but tend to try to make trouble.

They simply are not very bright.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks 8:27. I will try that.

You're welcome. There was a property on our block that refused to cut the grass all summer, year after year and one summer I personally saw rats playing there , meaning they had chosen that site for a nest. As the neighbor two doors down I made it my mission to reverse the situation. Long-time, able bodied owners with jobs to pay a kid to mow if they chose. They just had other priorities I guess.

How did you "reverse the situation?"

Good luck OP!

Bad neighbors are an eyesore themselves. They are quick to fabricate about others, yet they are the ones with car parts in their yard - gross!

If they have that type of thing in their yard, IMAGINE what their house looks like inside.

I would highly recommend a call to the Health Department, especially if there are children involved. Children require a safe environment, and SOMEONE needs to look out for them.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks 8:27. I will try that.

You're welcome. There was a property on our block that refused to cut the grass all summer, year after year and one summer I personally saw rats playing there , meaning they had chosen that site for a nest. As the neighbor two doors down I made it my mission to reverse the situation. Long-time, able bodied owners with jobs to pay a kid to mow if they chose. They just had other priorities I guess.

Thanks 8:27. I will try that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Report them for a rusty grill?

[/b]grass and weeds up to your knees? breeding ground for rats. yes, I believe you can report the neighbor for that.

[b]
My house was rented out last year and the tenants did get rats. I'm back in the house now and very concerned. If they continue to be unreceptive I am wondering what can be done.

In DC there is a regulation on the books that specifically states that uncut grass-weeds above a certain height is an actionable infraction. If you contact 311 they'll put you through to the correct inspection office and a guy will come out and fine the offender. I believe the height is 11 inches.

While he's there, he'll note the other issues with the property and may choose to note them in the ticket, or not.

In NoVa here, so I don't know if this applies to DC. We had a certified arborist come check some trees at our new house. When looking at a neighbors tree bordering the property line, he said "you have the right to prune anything hanging over into your property." In this case, branches from their tree hang over our deck. There are other issues with that tree to mention to the neighbor, and I guess we can figure out what to do about the pruning. Honestly don't know how you would prune with permission from the neighbor.

Anonymous wrote:Report them for a rusty grill?

grass and weeds up to your knees? breeding ground for rats. yes, I believe you can report the neighbor for that.

In Mont. Co it is Housing Code Enforcement, look for something similar in DC.

Pretty sure you can cut back their trees that are overhanging you yard. Although I'm not sure how you do that without gaining access to the trunk to climb it.

Report them for a rusty grill?

Junk in the yard--tires, rusty grill, etc. grass and weeds are up to your knees. Trees are huge and unkempt and the most annoying thing is their trees are overgrown and shading my trees, practically killing my beautiful crepe myrtle and dropping leaves and berries onto my lawn. Can I report them somewhere? I live in DC. I've tried talking to them but to no avail