Outside wall in neighbors yard, poor condition? PICS

[Mark F.]

Hello BP,

Today I was approached by the neighbor who backs up to me. There's a concrete wall that separates us and a drop off. The owner of the property started saying it's in poor condition (broken english) and I need to replace it. He said he called the city who said it's on my property line. I explained to him I'm the new owner and this the first I'm hearing about this.

I told him I'll look into it. He let me come on his property and I took photos. He says the wall is getting worse in a certain area and hes worried it'll collapse on to his property. I'm no contractor but obviously one section is totally fine. What do you think about the other parts? I still need to verify it's my property. I assume if I call a contractor they'll just tell me to replace it. What type of contractor do I need to call exactly? And whats your opinion of the wall?

I believe the tree roots are pushing against the wall, making it worse. Am I wrong? Thanks for reading! 

[Account Closed]

It doesn't look about to fall apart to me.  It's just not pretty.  Personally, I don't like to be bullied.  I think I'd just nod and tell him you'll look into it and then just not do anything.

What's the worst thing that can happen?  It crumbles into his backyard and then you guys go to court to see if the judge says you guys need to split the cost or whatever, and someone ends up paying for a bobcat and a retaining wall.

But, it's not at that stage right now.  So, to me, if the guy wants it done now, he either needs to get some kind of order from the city for you to fix it or he has to hire a lawyer to sue you.  Right now, he's just trying to strong-arm you into doing it and paying for it.

It's a rental, right?  So, you can probably just avoid the guy.  He's not likely to actually hire a lawyer, so like I say, I'd be friendly and nod and then just blow him off until or if he actually takes any kind of real action.  Or tell him you don't have the money to fix it, but if he wants to pay for half, you can maybe do it...