Neighbor reports woman's mom's shed to the city, woman gets neighbor's new $40k pool filled in: '$40,000 down the drain. Literally'

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Apr 17, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

They say those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones… and those who have illegally unpermitted pools in the backyard of their glass house probably shouldn't be calling attention to other people's unpermitted buildings on their own property. Especially when those buildings are actually perfectly legal and up to code. Sure, if there's some kind of egregious risk to your own personal safety, like an obvious fire hazard built on the boundary next to your own home, it would make sense to do something about it. Otherwise, it makes the most sense to leave well enough alone and mind your own business and let other people live their lives the way they want to.

Still, there's something about these nosy types who want to have everything to do with other people's business, to have a tendency to "self-report," in a way. This means that they'll go around accusing others of the thing that they themselves are most guilty about and consequently insecure about. An example of this is if your boss accuses you of stealing, stealing time—or generally being worried about any possible dishonesty—tells you a lot about their own honesty and how much (or little) you should trust them.

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  • 01

    "Neighbor tried to get my mom fined over our shed. So I got his $40K pool filled in."

    I live with my mom. She's quiet, keeps to herself, never bothers anyone. A few months ago, our new neighbor decided to report her to the city for having an "illegal shed" in the backyard. It was total BS, the shed's been there for years and has full permits. An inspector came out, checked everything, and left without saying a word.
    via Mel_Melissaa
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10494877184
    via Digital Marketing Agency NTWRK

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 03
    But the neighbor? Smug. Proud. Thought he'd scared us. So I did a little digging. Turns out his brand-new pool was way too close to the property line and illegally built over a utility easement. I reported him. Attached photos. Quoted city codes. Two weeks later, the city ordered him to either move it (impossible) or fill it in. He lost the whole thing $40,000 down the drain. Literally.
    via Mel_Melissaa
  • 04
    Now he gets to look at our completely legal shed every day... while standing over a pile of dirt where his pool used to be. Mom sleeps great now.
    via Mel_Melissaa
  • 05

    "Now he gets to look at our completely legal shed every day… while standing over a pile of dirt where his pool used to be."

    Cheezburger Image 10494877440
    via yerling villalobos

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 06
    Organic-Low-2992 Nothing petty about that revenge. More like burnedtoaf revenge. gcrisp
    via Mel_Melissaa
  • 07
    TrueEast1970 I don't get it. If in ain't in my yard then it ain't my business. What shed? Ah I never even noticed it. Doesn't affect me one way or the other. Karma baby
    via Mel_Melissaa
  • 08
    Oldpuzzlehead Serves him right, just minded his own business and he would have been fine.
    via Mel_Melissaa
  • 09
    fromhelley What a good child you are!! I would wait until it's warmer and buy him a kiddie pool. Write in the card that you feel somewhat responsible for his pool issue, as the inspector that noticed it, noticed it while in your yard inspecting. your shed! He should be half over it by then, and in need of a reminder that it cost him $40Gs to f with your mom!
    via Mel_Melissaa
  • 10
    Maleconito The amount you cost that neighbor brings this to pro level.
    via Mel_Melissaa
  • 11
    SomethinCleHver Like the old saying goes, never throw stones when you have a new $40k pool that skirted a few laws in your backyard.
    via Mel_Melissaa
  • 12
    svu_fan LL F around ✓ Find out ✓ I love it!
    via Mel_Melissaa
  • 13
    sendCommand Two of my neighbors have illegal sheds right up against our fence. Do I care? No. Some people have too much time on their hands.
    via Mel_Melissaa
  • 14
    Tattooed Bagel Minding your business costs $0, and can save you 40k! What a
    via Mel_Melissaa

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hoa neighbors neighborhood homeowner neighborhood-drama bad neighbors neighborhood-stories terrible neighbors Bad Neighbor neighbor
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