'Putting in a pool is not some kind of emergency': Homeowners give neighbors 48 hours to sign document letting them tear up their yard for a new pool, push back when they have doubts

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Jan 7, 2025 3:00 PM EST

If you're lucky enough to have your own yard, you have to be protective over it.  You get to have your own private access to nature, even if that's just a patch of grass where you can read a book. You can take the grill out and practice your barbecue dad skills. You can give your furry friends a chance to play outside more often. Owning your own house with your own yard is a far-off dream for a city-dweller like me, so I can only imagine what it's like when someone jeopardizes it.

This happens more often than you think it would. After all, most of us have neighbors. If you have an easy, friendly relationship with your neighbors, then you should cherish it. That doesn't always happen for everyone. Some neighbors will push you to the edge of your boundaries and not care about making your life miserable. 

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  • That's what happened in this story when a pesky neighbor embarked on their quest to install a pool in their backyard. Pools are famously not easy to install. You need a ton of space, and you need to make sure that when you're digging the hole, you don't accidentally tear up something important. So when they reached out to their neighbor to ask their permission to start work, things got complicated. 

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    Cheezburger Image 10451588352
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    When this homeowner got a knock on their door, they couldn't have anticipated the neighbor drama soon to come.

    AITAH, for refusing to sign my neighbors "Use of Yard" waiver?
    via u/smooth9iron
  • 03
    Last Thursday, my neighbors approached my wife regarding a Use of Yard waiver since they don't have the clearance to move excavators and bobcats to their backyard to build a pool. The waiver states they need 10ft of clearance (4ft would be into our yard based on my measurements) and they would repair the grass to
    via u/smooth9iron
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    its original state. I have an irrigation system and internet lines which run beneath the area which would be used. The neighbors were leaving for FL and asked for a 48 hour turnaround. I spoke to the pool company on Friday and the PM said they need 10-12ft and they need the waiver because there is a good chance the ground will be totally torn up.
    via u/smooth9iron
  • 05
    It was my wife's 30th birthday this weekend so this situation was not top of mind but my neighbor knocks on the door Saturday afternoon asking for a response. I kindly explain I am not comfortable signing the current waiver given the typos, lack of notarization, and ambiguities regarding repairs. He takes it personally and storms out of the house complaining about how much money he is going to lose.
    via u/smooth9iron
  • 06
    Today, the project manager from the pool company knocks on our door asking what they can do to resolve this. I told him I really don't want my yard torn up but at minimum a new waiver needs drafted and I would consider it. He then says we have an electrical easement which runs 1.5ft into our
    via u/smooth9iron
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    yard in the exact spot he wants to use and would just call for access. I check my plat design and deed to see there is NOT any easement running thru the area they need. He leaves and the situation is still up in the air.
    via u/smooth9iron
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    When neighbor negotiations got tense, the homeowner reached out for feedback on what to do.

    Cheezburger Image 10451587840
    via Alvin Engler
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    SPINPINS 13h ago • NTA. Putting in a pool is not some kind of emergency. They have the luxury of time to do their research before and didn't. You don't owe them the risk of destroying your property and putting your lines from different services at risk so they can go swimming. The nail in the coffin was the lie about the easement.
    via u/SPINPINS
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    smooth9iron OP • 13h ago Project manager said they neighbors have known about this for months and just "forgot" to bring it over to us until he reminded them. They do have the other side of their house but their driveway would be ruined and they still need a use of yard waiver from the other side neighbor
    via u/smooth9iron
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    CandylandCanada . 13h ago NTA Right now, your neighbour has a problem. If the contractor digs up your yard, causes damage, disturbs something, fails to restore your yard or takes three months to do the work, then you *both* have a problem.
    via u/CandylandCanada
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    The document as you've described it doesn't address liability, or how disputes will be resolved. There is no upside to you signing this unless you have a particularly close relationship that you want to maintain with the neighbour. The pressure to sign this quickly is not a good sign.
    via u/CandylandCanada
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    PlantManMD • 13h ago Edited • Did the contractor even mention if/what kind of ground protection mats they would employ to mitigate damage? Not only would I not want my yard torn up, but I wouldn't want the ground to be compacted either. 12' of clearance sounds like an excavator and perhaps a truck.
    via u/CandylandCanada
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    StrangerOnReddit 13h ago . NTA but it sounds like your neighbor might be hellbent on this plan. Do yourself a favor and consult a lawyer, to be safe.
    via u/Stranger0nReddit
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    sharethewine 13h ago . NTA. Your neighbor didn't give you sufficient time or correct information and then the project manager lied to try and manipulate you. I'd spell that out to both of them and let them know for those two reasons the access will never be granted.
    via u/sharethewine
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    StAlvis 12h ago • NTA have an irrigation system and internet lines which run beneath the area which would be used. Beginning and end of this. Your land's simply not suitable for what your neighbor wants done on it.
    via u/StAlvis
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    Cheezburger Image 10451588096
    via Bermix Studio
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    ptfancollector • 13h ago Before I would even consider a waiver I would want to know: How much are they willing to pay for damaging your lawn? Did they offer a deposit to cover potential damage? How would they repair the damaged grass - seed or sod? You would be on the hook to water it.
    via u/ptfancollector
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    AnonAnontheAnony 13h ago NTA - Stand your ground. Your property (up to whatever public easement) is YOUR property. Electrical easements are ONLY in play, for things like transformers and power poles. Your drop is not under an 'easement.
    via u/AnonAnontheAnony
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    tubby2323 13h ago NTA. Please read some of the stories on the different homeowners sub-reddits - there are lots of people who regret allowing others on their land for such things. Regardless - get a lawyer, make sure every possible injury to your property will be repaired back to original and your neighbors cost.
    via u/tubby2323
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    Personally, I would not allow them to step a foot unto my property (talking from past experience of being a nice co-operative neighbor and still have regrets).
    via u/tubby2323
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    BCReyes21 . 13h ago NTA. This company is trying to pull one over on you and if you let them you will almost certainly regret it. They can draft a new waiver with everything covered correctly and thoroughly. It's their job. If your neighbor is upset about the delay they can blame the pool company for their lack of professionalism.
    via u/BCReyes21
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    Rock3tSc13nc3 • 13h ago . So, they can CRANE STUFF into the yard and never touch your yard. Make them do that. costs them more, costs you nothing. This is NOT the kind of thing you rush, no reason for YOU to feel any pressure.
    via u/Rock3tSc13nc3
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    Chicago White Sox35 • 13h ago NTA, but you may want to consult a lawyer if they do go ahead with this. If you notice them going into your yard, call law enforcement immediately. I have an irrigation system also. They'll definitely tear it up with heavy
    via u/ChicagoWhiteSox35
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    equipment. A pool isn't an emergency that needs right be done right away. Your neighbor should have talked to you about this long ago. The project manager should figure out another way.
    via u/ChicagoWhiteSox35
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    RedHolly 13h ago • If they burst a pipe in the irrigation system you may not even know about it until the spring when you turn on the system. Sounds too risky
    via u/RedHolly
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    mlc885 • 13h ago NTA I don't think you should ever sign it without being offered a bunch of money, you have no reason to care about a pool for your neighbors. If they cannot get a pool then they cannot get a pool.
    via u/mlc885

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