Homeowner tears down fence after giving neighbors a survey, a 30-day notice, and repeated warnings that it was on his property, neighbors sue for $35,000: 'They had the survey. They ignored every warning'

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Jul 15, 2026 5:00 PM EDT

Did this homeowner go too far by removing a fence from his own property?

After having a survey done on his property to redo his backyard, a homeowner realized that the fence that separates his land from the neighbor's is on his property. He asked the neighbors multiple times to have it removed, but they never took him seriously. Later, when his construction started, he demolished the fence, causing the neighbors to file a lawsuit and demand $ 35,000 from him.

How many problems appear when we talk about fences, right? I've read multiple stories about this matter, but not a single one struck me as much as this one. I cannot believe how the neighbors sue the homeowner for destroying a fence that is not theirs: a fence they knew was not on their property, but the homeowner's.

I simply don't understand how some neighbors can be so terrible. I've never had issues with all the neighbors that I had, so it's something that really surprises me. If we are all living in the same neighborhood and on the same street, getting along is the minimum we can do. Now, and being specific about this story, if the fence situation gets sorted out in court and solved, the relationship will never be the same, and we're talking about the people that live next to you.

I'm not saying the homeowner was wrong for destroying a fence that was built well onto his property. What stands out to me is the neighbors' attitude. They didn't take him seriously, laughed in his face, ignored multiple warnings, and then sued him when he moved forward with the remodeling project.

I won't spoil you how the story continues because it keeps going up to this day. Of course, both families will see each other in court to have this problem fixed. Can't wait to see what happens!

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  • Property boundary disputes between neighbors can lead to costly legal and financial consequences.
    via Unsplash+ (via Jason Hawke)

    Property boundary disputes between neighbors can lead to costly legal and financial consequences. 

    Scene is illustrative and does not depict actual individuals or events.

  • I (24M) have lived in my house for a little over two years. My neighbors have been a nightmare since day one.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • They called the city over my lawn, complained about my car even though it was legally parked, knocked on my door because my friends were "too loud" at 3 p.m. on a Saturday, and they somehow have an opinion on everything I do.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • The biggest issue has always been this stupid fence.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • A few months ago I had my property surveyed because I wanted to redo my backyard. Turns out the fence they've been obsessing over for years isn't even on their property. It's almost two feet onto mine.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • I showed them the survey. They literally said they didn't care because "it's been there for years." Cool. Doesn't magically make my land yours.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • I told them they had 30 days to move it. They laughed. I reminded them a week later. They laughed again. They kept hanging decorations on it, leaning ladders against it, and walking into my yard whenever they felt like it. Every time I'd tell them to get off my property they'd act like I was the unreasonable one.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • I'll admit I wasn't exactly nice after that. I stopped pretending to be neighborly. If they came over to complain, I'd tell them to worry about getting their fence off my land first. They hated that.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • Last weekend I had a contractor come in to start clearing my yard. I told my neighbors beforehand that anything sitting on my property was getting removed.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • They called my bluff. The fence got demolished.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • Contractor works on a residential fence project during a neighborhood property line improvement.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    Contractor works on a residential fence project during a neighborhood property line improvement. 

    Image shown for illustrative purposes; person depicted is a model.

  • Now they're losing their minds, calling me every name under the sun and demanding I pay for a brand-new fence. They're even trying to tell people I destroyed "their property."
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • Except... it was on my property. They knew it. They had the survey. They ignored every warning because they genuinely thought I wouldn't do anything.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • My family says I should've gone through lawyers instead, but I don't see why I should spend thousands and wait months because they think property lines are optional.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • AITBF? I forgot to say I wrote this five months ago but forgot about it.
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  • Also a lot has happened since. I'll update you guys. Mini Update: They got an attorney
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  • About a week after the fence came down, I got a certified letter from their attorney demanding I pay just over $9,000 for the fence, landscaping, and "emotional distress." My lawyer told me not to respond personally, so I didn't.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • I'll update more dw it's just a very stressful time for me even though it's from 5 months ago it's still affecting me.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • Homeowner discusses a neighborhood property dispute after a disagreement over a fence and land ownership.
    via Unsplash+ (via sarah b)

    Homeowner discusses a neighborhood property dispute after a disagreement over a fence and land ownership. 

    Individual pictured is a model used for illustrative purposes.

  • To the people that are wondering yes I got a lawyer. UPDATE: (July 11) Today, a process server showed up at my front door and handed me court papers.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • My neighbors are officially suing me for just over $35,000. They're claiming I intentionally destroyed their fence, damaged their landscaping, lowered their property value, caused them emotional distress, and they want me to cover their legal fees. I called my lawyer as soon as I got inside.
    via Business_Gate_1082
  • He told me not to contact them, not to respond to anything directly, and to let him handle it from here. I genuinely didn't think they'd actually file a lawsuit, but here we are. I'll keep you guys updated as things move forward. This whole situation has become way bigger than I ever expected.
    via Business_Gate_1082

  • Neighbor disputes often begin with something small: a fence, a tree, a driveway, a few feet of land. Yet those seemingly minor disagreements can reveal deeper questions about respect, boundaries, and accountability. When communication breaks down and neither side is willing to reconsider its position, a simple property issue can grow into a conflict that consumes far more time, money, and energy than anyone ever expected.

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