Neighbor Majorly Encroaching My Lot - This Should Be Fun!

[Patti Robertson]

This is my primary residence.  My neighbor installed a fence about 10 years ago on what we thought was the lot line.  We tore our house down and built a new one 4 years ago, at which time we discovered his fence was well within our lot line.  The neighbor at that time said he would move the fence, but in 4 years it has not happened.  The timeline for the Adverse Possession law in Virginia is 15 years, so we really shouldn't have dragged our feet this long, but here we are.  Two weeks ago this same neighbor pulled up a ladder to the fence line at 8:30pm for 4 days in a row, leaned over the fence to first remove the branches from three trees on his side of the fence, and then completely cut off the top of three trees, leaving me with what looks like totem poles.  My husband tried to talk to them through this process, and they just kept insisting the fence and trees were on their lot.  This morning the surveyor showed up to replace the flags, clearly showing he is 6'+ over our line in places.  Funny thing is this neighbor just put in a garden, and whatever crop he planted in row one is on mine lot! 

 Tomorrow he will receive a 30 day demand letter to remove the 14" stumps he left, grind up the roots, and fill the holes, plus remove or move the fence.

Love Thy Neighbor - unless he tries to steal your land!