Lazy neighbor hasn’t closed or opened pool in years

[MegaSilver]

I moved into our house in April 2008. It didn't take long for use to realize that our neighbor doesn't care much about the appearance of his yard. The gardens in the front of the house are full of 2 feet high weeds. When the grass gets to be 6 inches high, he cuts it.

In June 2008 I was trimming a common hedge between the properties and when I glanced over into his backyard, I could see that the water in his pool was black. It hadn't been closed from the season(s) before. Using Google Maps, I can see that the pool was blue sometime around 2006. Well, the pool is still in it's current state. Black water with a greenish yellow film on it. Weeds from the backyard have sprawled from the "grass" and grown down into the pool.

I am curious as to what I should do? I am starting to become concerned about it being a breeding ground for mosquitos. If I call the region/city, he will obviously know it's me.

[CSK'sMom]

Call the city. St Kitts will not disclose who called to complain. You can also call the Region's Health Dept due to West Nile Virus.

[amz155]

+1.

At our health dept. we give people 7 days to rectify problems like this. If they don't /refuse, we refer them to the local municipality by-law dept.

Actually, by law, the complainant cannot be disclosed.

Keep in mind that there is only a requirement, at least locally, that the homeowner ensure that the pool is not a breeding ground for mosquitoes. He can do this by putting a tight ocver on it or adding AcuqBac to the water. THis won't take care of the eyesore issue though.....

[CaptSmethwick]

It's a health and safety hazard aside from the genuine West Nile concern: if anybody happened to fall in, they wouldn't be visible and there could be all manner of bacteria or fungi propogating in the stagnant water

[amz155]

It's a health and safety hazard aside from the genuine West Nile concern: if anybody happened to fall in, they wouldn't be visible and there could be all manner of bacteria or fungi propogating in the stagnant water

yeah but the stagnant water being a possible mosquito ground it what by law would use to get them to rectify the situation.

there is no legal water clarity level for private pools, that's only for public pools. the water needn't be anywhere near black to be unclear enough to see someone who fell in. as for the bascteria or fungi in the water....well they're everywhere anyway so that's not the real concern.

[mbg]

If he had a pond in the backyard, would you have the same concerns?

You could throw a bunch of goldfish into the pool. They will eat the mosquito larvae and he probably won't notice.

[Squiggles]

You could throw a bunch of goldfish into the pool. They will eat the mosquito larvae and he probably won't notice.

Screw that, throw a crocodile in there!!!


Seriously though, I agree with some of the posters above. I'm sure that a pool in that kind of state would fall under some sort of a health and safety concern, it's just a matter of finding the right person to call and report it. Worse comes to worse see if your local city councillor's office can advise you.

[CaptSmethwick]

yeah but the stagnant water being a possible mosquito ground it what by law would use to get them to rectify the situation.

there is no legal water clarity level for private pools, that's only for public pools. the water needn't be anywhere near black to be unclear enough to see someone who fell in. as for the bascteria or fungi in the water....well they're everywhere anyway so that's not the real concern.

You clearly know this municipality better than I but my city's bylaws oblige homeowners to keep their properties free from "objects or conditions that may create a health or accident hazard" and further specifically insist that swimming pools be maintained "(a) in a clean and safe condition; and (b) free from leaks and faulty components and equipment" and that purification systems for swimming pools "be maintained so that water in the pool is properly filtered and purified so as not to present a health hazard".

I suspect that any major municipality in Ontario would have a bylaw on the first (generic) part but perhaps only the larger ones have pool-specific by-laws such as the Ottawa ones quoted above. Pity...

[BuildingHomes]

So what has changed for this person in the last few years that has them not attending to their pool or cutting their grass more often?

Are they an older couple that may not be overly able to take care of things themselves? Are they relying upon relatives or children to assist them?

Are they disabled in any way?

[Whitedart]

I moved into our house in April 2008. It didn't take long for use to realize that our neighbor doesn't care much about the appearance of his yard. The gardens in the front of the house are full of 2 feet high weeds. When the grass gets to be 6 inches high, he cuts it.

In June 2008 I was trimming a common hedge between the properties and when I glanced over into his backyard, I could see that the water in his pool was black. It hadn't been closed from the season(s) before. Using Google Maps, I can see that the pool was blue sometime around 2006. Well, the pool is still in it's current state. Black water with a greenish yellow film on it. Weeds from the backyard have sprawled from the "grass" and grown down into the pool.

I am curious as to what I should do? I am starting to become concerned about it being a breeding ground for mosquitos. If I call the region/city, he will obviously know it's me.

St. Catherine's property standards people should be able to clear this up.

http://www.stcatharinesfire.ca/cityservices/citydepartments/engineering/eng_buildingdevt_bld_propstds.asp

[MegaSilver]

So what has changed for this person in the last few years that has them not attending to their pool or cutting their grass more often?

Are they an older couple that may not be overly able to take care of things themselves? Are they relying upon relatives or children to assist them?

Are they disabled in any way?

I don't know what has changed with them, since I only have known them since I moved in, when they were not taking care of the property.

They are in their late 30s, appear to work from home, and both are overweight. He is around 300lbs, and she is around 250.

We called the city on them once regarding the grass a few days before we were having a big party. A bi-law officer came out and issued them a warning. He mowed his lawn that evening. With his front lawn, he could assume it could be anyone making the complaint. But with the backyard, it could only be me. Maybe I should just call. I mean, it's not my fault that his pool is a wreck, and may be a safety hazard.

[Cheap Cat]

But with the backyard, it could only be me. Maybe I should just call. I mean, it's not my fault that his pool is a wreck, and may be a safety hazard.

I would call due to the West Nile risk. I know that we used to get various notices from the city about eliminating standing water around the house so it is an issue they take seriously.

[DrXenon]

Calling the city without talking to him first is a dick move. Just knock on his door and explain your concern to him, ask him to rectify the situation, and offer to help.

[originalnutta]

Calling the city without talking to him first is a dick move. Just knock on his door and explain your concern to him, ask him to rectify the situation, and offer to help.

Then his neighbour will surely know it's him.

IMO a chance of west nile virus trumps any pleasantries. So i'g call a by-law officer to check the front yard, and hint that the backyard might be a mess as well.

The officer will primarily focus on the front yard, but can casually ask to check the backyard as well.

[squireglig]

Calling the city without talking to him first is a dick move. Just knock on his door and explain your concern to him, ask him to rectify the situation, and offer to help.

I totally agree with this. If you're looking for bylaws and numbers to call before talking to him, it is a total dick move.

And if you call without talking to him, he would likely assume it is you anyways. I've had someone call about my parking situation without talking to me first, and it wasn't very hard to figure out who it was.

[pepper3245]

But with the backyard, it could only be me. Maybe I should just call. I mean, it's not my fault that his pool is a wreck, and may be a safety hazard.


Can any other neighbours see his backyard?

[antman59]

Dpends on your neighbour. If he's a total ass then report him due to the health issue. If you have some sort of relationship with him then speak with him about it. Worried about mosquitoes aren't you? You could drain it if you don't want it ...etc.

[amz155]

Calling the city without talking to him first is a dick move. Just knock on his door and explain your concern to him, ask him to rectify the situation, and offer to help.

Why is it a "dick move"? Why does the OP owe it to the neighbour to discuss it with him first? And why on earth, would the OP help the guy fix the problem? Lending a hand to a fellow neighbour (who from the sounds of it wouldn't appreciate the help if his yard is a mess = he likely doesn't care) is a nice idea, but in this case all niceties aside, there is a valid health risk to be concerned about. And from the sounds of it, the neighbour will likely need professional help to get the pool cleared/cleaned up. Why would the OP provide free labour?

I totally agree with this. If you're looking for bylaws and numbers to call before talking to him, it is a total dick move.

And if you call without talking to him, he would likely assume it is you anyways. I've had someone call about my parking situation without talking to me first, and it wasn't very hard to figure out who it was.

Again, if the neighbour is not doing what he is supposed to do (i.e. abiding by local by-laws) then why does the OP owe it to him to talk with him first?

You had someone complain about your parking situation, and then you found out who it was. So what? Big deal, you figured out who complained. If you used knowing who it was, and then sought revenge on them, because you were pissed, now THAT'S a "dick move".

[Nikita]

Calling the city without talking to him first is a dick move. Just knock on his door and explain your concern to him, ask him to rectify the situation, and offer to help.

I agree. You've gotta live with this guy right next door to you, IMO it's always best to try to resolve differences b/w neighbors by talking to them first.

Then his neighbour will surely know it's him.

IMO a chance of west nile virus trumps any pleasantries. So i'g call a by-law officer to check the front yard, and hint that the backyard might be a mess as well.

The officer will primarily focus on the front yard, but can casually ask to check the backyard as well.

So what if the neighbor knows it's him? What's the guy going to do, shoot him over it? Hell, the neighbor is going to know who it is one way or the other. It just might cushion the blow if the OP tries to resolve the issue between them first. If the neighbor has an 'I don't give a crap' kind of response, I'd let him know I'd be calling the authorities. Besides, a heads-up just might light a fire under the neighbor to do something about it voluntarily.

[originalnutta]

I agree. You've gotta live with this guy right next door to you, IMO it's always best to try to resolve differences b/w neighbors by talking to them first.



So what if the neighbor knows it's him? What's the guy going to do, shoot him over it? Hell, the neighbor is going to know who it is one way or the other. It just might cushion the blow if the OP tries to resolve the issue between them first. If the neighbor has an 'I don't give a crap' kind of response, I'd let him know I'd be calling the authorities. Besides, a heads-up just might light a fire under the neighbor to do something about it voluntarily.

I dunno. I'd be super paranoid, about living beside someone who potentially has a vendetta against me.

But i see where you're coming from. I just expect the worst.

[Anonymouse]

Why is it a "dick move"?

This is one of those things that you can't explain to people, like the rule that you don't pee on cathedral walls on your way home from the bar. Some people are just asocial and will never understand.


Why does the OP owe it to the neighbour to discuss it with him first?

It's a matter of integrity, and being a man. Again, it's hard to explain. Why burn tax dollars by tying up a bylaw enforcement officer before trying cheaper, more effective tactics? The guy is going to know it was OP who turned him in, anyway.


And why on earth, would the OP help the guy fix the problem?


This is another one of those things that's hard to explain. It's about being a good neighbour. Maybe the guy and his wife are depressed and can't get out of bed to do it. Maybe the guy just doesn't know that pools need maintenance, even if you don't use them.

but in this case all niceties aside, there is a valid health risk to be concerned about.

Yah, because people have been dropping dead in Toronto of West Nile all summer. So many, that they haven't even bothered to update their surveillance page:

http://www.toronto.ca/health/westnile/wnv_surveillance.htm

[stealth]

So what if the neighbor knows it's him? What's the guy going to do, shoot him over it? Hell, the neighbor is going to know who it is one way or the other. It just might cushion the blow if the OP tries to resolve the issue between them first. If the neighbor has an 'I don't give a crap' kind of response, I'd let him know I'd be calling the authorities. Besides, a heads-up just might light a fire under the neighbor to do something about it voluntarily.

I guess the concern is it could cause tensions with that neighbor or perhaps others (if the reported person spreads it around the neighborhood that OP is a tattletale who called by-law officers on him "just because my pool was a little green"-you know how people can distort a story.).

I dont know what I would do. I wouldnt call by-law right away, and I wouldnt tell the neighbor what he should do with his own proeprty.

I suppose I'd have a friendly chat with him/her and maybe just casually mention that I noticed the condition of it and ask if anything is wrong with it? Its a subtle hint that you're concerned, but its not too pushy, and gives them a chance to clear the air with an explanation. Its reasonable to be concerned as a pool leak for instance can flood a neighbors basement.

No matter what, I doubt they're going to go through the expense and effort of clearing it up and opening it with September around the corner and pool closings usually in October.

[mork]

To a lot of the responses.. wow. :confused:

Definitely talk to the guy first.

You are making a lot of judgments and being very critical of these people (lazy, fat, etc) without having ever even talked to them about YOUR problem. They obviously do not mind the condition of the pool or lack the resources/ability to bring it up to YOUR standards. So what business is it of yours anyways?

I am guessing that you are not genuinely concerned about your health and safety but are just upset that his neighbors do not share in your set of material "values".

My advice - mind your own business. If you have genuine concerns for your health and safety, talk to the neighbour and come up with a plan.