As is often the case in these situations, the devil is in the details. Due to the way the houses are laid out, my front lawn is contiguous with part of my neighbour’s lawn. It used to bother me just on general principle when his nephew, who at that time did his lawnmowing, mowed part of my lawn, to the point that I had to show him where the property line was. It was kind of an innate territorial feeling – “you let them start mowing you lawn, pretty soon they think it’s their property”.
Today things are different. He’s now hired the same kids that I use to mow my lawn, and they’re really enthusiastic about their work. They mow the entire front area even if I’m not around or tell them that the back yard doesn’t need mowing yet, and the neighbour pays them for it. Which means that even if I’m negligent and let the back yard get overgrown, the front of the house always looks neat and well maintained. I can’t complain about that!
It seems like one important step to take is to document everything. Try to video him.
If that doesn’t work,( because obviously it’s pretty awkward to hold your phone in his face)–then record audio. Drop your phone in the chest pocket of your shirt with the tape recorder running, every time you talk with him. It may be unacceptable (legally) in your jurisdiction, but you aren’t looking for courtroom-quality evidence. You just need social-worker-quality evidence..
It’s illegal to record audio without telling the other party in many states. (That’s why every service desk call starts by saying they are recording for training… to meet the legal requirement.) I’d advise that it’s a bad idea to violate your local laws. On the other hand, i think surveillance cameras on your own property are legal in all US states. And that would provide better evidence, too. Get a ring camera, or one of those wild life cameras, or something, and just leave it running if you want to record him.
Yes, exactly. It could easily go from, “He’s harmless, just trying to be helpful,” to “Why the fuck are you in my house rearranging my fridge at 3am, Bob?”