I know this is a zombie thread, but the answer is to proselytize and convince both neighbors to mow their lawns to 3 inches. That’s Prelude’s main gripe - that they shear the lawn back too far. Get them properly trained and there’s no problem.
He could do it like this. That oughtta teach them.
Yes, that’s exactly what he owns. But there is such a thing as being neighborly, especially when it doesn’t change my life one bit to let him mow it and feel a bit more satisfaction about his back yard. I don’t lose sleep at night worrying about my neighbor laying claim to a little swath of property I never set foot on.
And as for selling him the property, wow, I can’t imagine knocking on his door and asking for money for that little chunk of property he mows. I don’t where you folks live, but around here I’d be the jackass in that situation: “Hey Bob, I know we’ve been neighbors for years and have never had any problems, but I’m here to ask for $1,000 if you want to keep mowing that little corner of my property.” I’d never be invited to another neighborhood party.
Why see it as a problem, rather than an accommodation? Suppose you were to sell your house, or die; would he not wish to be assured that the new owner wouldn’t muck up the arrangement he is accustomed to?
I’ve seen a few little ‘real estate’ transactions like this. A small piece might be sold for just $100 and the cost of the paperwork.