Neighbor repeatedly trespasses to mow homeowner's land, even cutting down newly planted trees despite being told to stop: ‘I'm ready to press charges’

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Aug 4, 2026 7:15 AM EDT

Most property disputes involve fences. This one involves a lawn mower that just won't stay off someone else's land.

For years, one homeowner has watched a man from down the street repeatedly mow a strip of land that doesn't belong to him, despite multiple conversations asking him to stop. After newly planted privacy trees were cut down and even a no-trespassing sign failed to deter him, the frustrated couple is wondering whether legal action is their only option.

First, I want to say how stunned I am when I read stories like this, and how common it is for people to trespass and to mow someone else's land. This should not be this normal, and why do people keep doing it? But, besides my own personal thoughts, this case seems to be more intense than others that I've read on Reddit, for many reasons.

There are more than two families involved, and also, the land is uneven, so there're hills that change the way the landscape is, so the lines that separate properties are not so easy to identify. This is important because maybe one of the families could be mowing and fixing what they thought was their own land, when in reality they are trespassing and cutting others' plants and trees.

But the homeowner already thought about this and put up a sign that says "No trespassing" in the exact limit of both properties; for some reason, the neighbor still finds a way of cutting every single plant that creates a separation and a natural fence between their two houses. And, since the neighbors are uphill, they can see their home and even listen to everything they say, so it feels like an intentional invasion of privacy. 

Eventually, the family started to report this to the police, but they couldn't do much about it because they didn't see the neighbor mow the lawn, so there's nothing they can do at the moment. This leaves the homeowner with no other option but to file a lawsuit and press charges, and although this is going to create a major conflict with the neighbor, it's okay for him to defend his land.

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  • Aerial view of neighboring homes on different elevations.
    via Unsplash+ (via Clay Banks)

    Aerial view of neighboring homes on different elevations.

    This photograph is a generic representation of a residential property.

  • 1 (37F) an my husband (40M) have this neighbor who isn't exactly a neighbor, dude lives down the street from us. But he is obsessed with mowing a stretch of property that belongs to us. This piece of land is a hill/bank between me and my actual neighbor (AN).
    via GhostGirl421
  • They (AN) are positioned above us an this piece of property runs along the road, my property and theirs. We have had multiple conversations about this issue of mowing my property because I and my husband want it to grown in and become a little stand of
    via GhostGirl421
  • woods to give us some privacy from (AN). With this piece of property mowed their house looks right down onto us, we can hear everything they say in their
    via GhostGirl421
  • driveway because sound carries downhill easiest, and it would look so much better as a small stand of trees, instead of slick mowed grass.
    via GhostGirl421
  • Married couple discussing the neighbors' trespassing and mowing their lawn.
    via Unsplash+ (via George Dagerotip)

    Married couple discussing the neighbors' trespassing and mowing their lawn.

    People shown are models.

  • We planted trees last year and he mowed them down. We've called the police once but we didn't have any no trespassing signs up so they wouldn't do anything.
    via GhostGirl421
  • Husband called last week and that was what the officer told him. So, we now have 1 sign up and he decided to mow the corner of our property again this week. In his defense as I know this is what he's going to argue to
    via GhostGirl421
  • an officer when he's confronted, "It wasn't where I mowed so I didn't see it" when in all reality the "NO TRESPASSING" sign is staked de d center of the property and is highly visible from the road as you drive by, but not easily visible from the corner/side of the property.
    via GhostGirl421
  • Mowing neighbor does in fact know its our property. It feels like attempted land grab on behalf of the actual neighbor up hill. They are friends, so, it could be possible.
    via GhostGirl421
  • So my question is, what would you do about this? Is there anything I can do other than put up another sign and press charges for trespassing when he inevitably mows it again? I just
    via GhostGirl421
  • don't t fully understand why anyone would come on to someone else's property and do with said property as they please like it's theirs. It makes no sense to me! I would never go on to my neighbors property and start
    via GhostGirl421
  • advice? What would you do? How would you handle this situation? I'm at my wits end and I'm ready to press charges just to get my point across because talking to him, telling him and even asking him not to do this keeps getting me no where.
    via GhostGirl421
  • Person mowing a residential lawn.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    Person mowing a residential lawn.

    The individual and property shown are not connected to this story.

  • poolbitch1 Make a visual barrier with stakes and that neon ribbon stuff and put up a no trespassing sign.
    via GhostGirl421
  • FarmerDave13 A fence. Doesn't have to be fancy. And a dozen no trespassing signs on each side. Set up a camera and press chrages when he does trespass
    via GhostGirl421
  • CJsopinion Send a certified letter with a diagram and pictures and demand he stop trespassing. Then put up cameras and plant your trees. Destroying trees can be costly from what I've learned on Reddit. And put up more signs.
    via GhostGirl421
  • BeeFree66 Your "friend" is attempting a land grab. The neighbors are counting on your "friendship" making you feel soooo uncomfortable about confronting them, that in time, your neighbor will own that piece of your land.
    via GhostGirl421
  • alwaus No trespassing signs along the land borders, low wire fence thats well marked with day glo ribbon, cameras covering where he comes in at. When he decides to mow over it anyway it will tear the mower deck all to hol and not be in any way your fault.
    via GhostGirl421
  • Particular-Tax8106 Cease and desist letter sent certified mail
    via GhostGirl421
  • Timely-Lake-2372 Fence or Boulders. Police unlikely to ever do anything unless you have damages or video of the trespassing.
    via GhostGirl421
  • Porch Dogs Fence it off until the trees are established. Or at least put fencing around the trees themselves (chicken wire or something else). Pu a "no trespassing" sign at each end, as well as in the middle. Maybe even a "no mowing wildlife garden growing" sign.
    via GhostGirl421

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