ᐅ The neighbor's property is 25 cm lower, and they expect us to take action.
Created on: 10 Aug 2025 10:42
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Zinada1Hello,
We currently have an issue with our neighbor, or rather, he has an issue with us.
At the beginning of our construction phase, after the soil survey, our site manager advised us to build as high as possible to avoid moisture problems (we live in a marsh area). We trusted his advice and built 40 cm (16 inches) above street level.
So far, so good. We have two immediate neighbors. Neighbor 1 also built 40 cm (16 inches) above street level, Neighbor 2 built 15 cm (6 inches) above street level. Neighbor 2 started building later and has now noticed the height difference, and he is very worried about flooding. However, he has compacted his entire garden with gravel and expects us to ensure that no water flows onto his property. I informed him that we already have a drainage system around our house and a soakaway pit.
Neighbor 2 still holds us responsible for taking action against this.
What else can we do? Between our properties, there is only grass, no wall or anything else. I believe if he builds in a marsh area without drainage and compacts his garden entirely without green space (and where else should the water seep away?), then he partly bears the responsibility himself.
We currently have an issue with our neighbor, or rather, he has an issue with us.
At the beginning of our construction phase, after the soil survey, our site manager advised us to build as high as possible to avoid moisture problems (we live in a marsh area). We trusted his advice and built 40 cm (16 inches) above street level.
So far, so good. We have two immediate neighbors. Neighbor 1 also built 40 cm (16 inches) above street level, Neighbor 2 built 15 cm (6 inches) above street level. Neighbor 2 started building later and has now noticed the height difference, and he is very worried about flooding. However, he has compacted his entire garden with gravel and expects us to ensure that no water flows onto his property. I informed him that we already have a drainage system around our house and a soakaway pit.
Neighbor 2 still holds us responsible for taking action against this.
What else can we do? Between our properties, there is only grass, no wall or anything else. I believe if he builds in a marsh area without drainage and compacts his garden entirely without green space (and where else should the water seep away?), then he partly bears the responsibility himself.
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nordanney10 Aug 2025 11:02How you build and compact is one topic. This does not interest those here.
You are building higher (than the original level), so you must also ensure that no water from your property flows onto the lower (and thus normal) neighboring property.
So yes, the neighbor is completely right.
You are building higher (than the original level), so you must also ensure that no water from your property flows onto the lower (and thus normal) neighboring property.
So yes, the neighbor is completely right.
I assume this concerns the garden or ground level rather than the house level, which should not cause any issues in itself. If not, please clarify and describe the problem again, if necessary with a photo.
What kind of argument is that? First, everyone should check for themselves whether they have done everything that is necessary. Then they can ask whether everything required has indeed been done. After that, you can look together at what else might be done.
Who says he completely compacted the soil? However, this does not affect your responsibilities, as you have built at a higher level. So, it appears you have raised the ground level, meaning you are responsible.
What does that mean? How do you contain the 30cm (12 inches)? Did you slope it away at 30 degrees over one meter (3 feet), and cover it with lawn?
Grass does not prevent any water from flowing from your property onto the neighbor’s land, and yes, that is the issue here.
A drainage system is the responsibility of your house directly, but any additional rainwater from your property must only be drained on your own land. Many (or most) people do this, even if unintentionally, through planting. The roots help retain rainwater.
Zinada1 schrieb:
I mean, if he builds in the marsh without drainage and also completely compacts his garden without any green areas (especially since where should the water seep away?), isn’t he to blame himself?
What kind of argument is that? First, everyone should check for themselves whether they have done everything that is necessary. Then they can ask whether everything required has indeed been done. After that, you can look together at what else might be done.
Who says he completely compacted the soil? However, this does not affect your responsibilities, as you have built at a higher level. So, it appears you have raised the ground level, meaning you are responsible.
Zinada1 schrieb:
We have only grass bordering his property, no wall or anything similar.
What does that mean? How do you contain the 30cm (12 inches)? Did you slope it away at 30 degrees over one meter (3 feet), and cover it with lawn?
Grass does not prevent any water from flowing from your property onto the neighbor’s land, and yes, that is the issue here.
A drainage system is the responsibility of your house directly, but any additional rainwater from your property must only be drained on your own land. Many (or most) people do this, even if unintentionally, through planting. The roots help retain rainwater.
The height of the house itself is initially irrelevant. The important factor is whether you have added fill to the ground, for example, to have level access through the patio door. If you have raised the natural slope by 40 cm (16 inches) towards your neighbor, you must ensure that your surface water (rain) soaks into your property and does not run off onto your neighbor’s land.
What your neighbor does on their property is completely irrelevant in this context.
What your neighbor does on their property is completely irrelevant in this context.
Zinada1 schrieb:
At the start of our construction phase and after the soil survey, our site manager advised us to build as high as possible because otherwise there could be moisture problems (we live in a marsh area). We trusted him and then built 40cm (16 inches) above street level.The building height is not determined by the site manager, but by the architect / planner. Once approved, no clever person can change that. However, the fears and wishes of the neighbor are not relevant here: only the terrain slope towards their boundary matters to them. If your house is built on a mound, this should also be within the building envelope.ypg schrieb:
I assume this refers to garden or ground level, not the house’s elevation, which usually should not cause any issues. If this is incorrect, please clarify the problem again, if necessary with a photo.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
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hanghaus202310 Aug 2025 16:54Don’t have a fence yet? Installing a lawn edging at the bottom will keep the water where it belongs.
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