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Overgrown hedges- when to complain

I walk the dogs in my neighborhood and there is one house that has seriously overgrown privacy bushes that makes it difficult to walk on the sidewalk. They are growing at least halfway over the sidewalk and have not been trimmed in at least two years. Last summer it was annoying. This year it is a little out of control. The people who live also shovel infrequently in the winter. I want the bushes trimmed but I feel weird about complaining to the city. I don't want to be "that" neighbor and I also don't know their situation. Maybe they are elderly, maybe ill. There could be a good reason they haven't been able to trim them. Heck I wouldn't even mind helping trim them! The thing is I don't want to approach them about it because then if anyone does complain they will think it was me.

So when should I feel justified complaining about the bushes to the city? Should I leave an anonymous note on their door? Am I being a PITA neighbor? I don't know how long I should let it go or really how to handle it. I'm kind of shocked no one has complained thus far! Any advice is appreciated.

ETA: I looked it up and it appears the homeowner is a woman over 65 years old.

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Re: Overgrown hedges- when to complain

  • Is the rest of her yard mowed?  If so, I would call the city, b/c she is either mowing herself or hiring someone, she can do the same for the bushes/snow.

    If you call and nothing gets done, you could knock on the door, but that could be weird.  I don't think I'd do it, just let the city handle it.

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  • I would call the city and let them handle it now.  I get really annoyed with that kind of stuff though.  We have a couple houses in our neighborhood that block the sidewalk with cars.  On a regular basis.  I use our sidewalk frequently.  I will be contacting our association if it doesn't stop soon.
  • Julz629Julz629 member
    Fourth Anniversary
    I would be annoyed, too.  But honestly, I never have the balls to complain to anyone.  Our direct next door neighbor is a lazy man in his 30s who hardly ever mows his lawn (sometimes the city does if someone calls....but it's never us) and he shoveled once or twice all winter.  Realistically, I would probably just walk around the bushes.  But I think you'd be justified in calling the city.  Even if the person is elderly, it is her responsibility as a homeowner and if she can't do it, she should hire someone.
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  • imageMrs.CFH2:
    I would call the city and let them handle it now. 

    I agree with this. If it is growing into/over the sidewalk, then the city should take care of this. I am assuming this b/c our city is the one that trims trees/bushes that interfere with our sidewalks. I wouldn't worry about the neighbor finding out it was you, I doubt they would even make the connection.

    image
  • This made me laugh because this was very common when we lived in Detroit. We walked our dogs towards Redford since it was 1 1/2 blocks away in the subdivision. It was super annoying year-round. Of course, we never did anything about it because we didn't think of it and if we did, nothing would've been done about it.

    65 yrs old isn't old unless she is not in good health. I guess the best suggestion is to call. Maybe she's not aware of services that are available to her if it's a matter of being physically or financially capable.

  • imageMrs.CFH2:
    We have a couple houses in our neighborhood that block the sidewalk with cars.  On a regular basis. 

    This makes me furious. Especially when walking a dog and pushing a stroller. 

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