You probably have some junk lying around your house. Maybe there is an appliance or piece of furniture you intend to fix or an old broken heirloom you think may still have some value. Maybe you have worthless items you just aren’t sure how to get rid of or potentially toxic substances that may need special handling for disposal.
As frustrating as those pieces of junk may be to you in your own home, the sight of your neighbor’s growing collection of junk cars may be even more upsetting. You may think it is not your right to complain about what your neighbors do on their private property, but junk cars can present environmental and health issues that can quickly become a concern for you and your family.
It may be worse than you think
People may have old, junk vehicles on their property for a number of reasons. Perhaps your neighbors’ hobby is car repair or restoration. Maybe they have an old vehicle or two that are sentimental to them or that they had hoped to save for their children. Some people hold on to their vintage vehicles because they believe they may have some monetary value. Unfortunately, as time passes, old vehicles become little more than salvage, and they may even present more serious issues such as:
- Violating local ordinances as well as Georgia safety codes
- Creating an attractive nuisance that could endanger children who want to climb on or play in them
- Attracting pests like rats, feral cats and dogs, insects, snakes, and others that may take shelter or have litters inside them
- Drawing the attention of vagrants or those who steal car parts to sell
- Creating a personal and environmental danger when toxic fluids begin to leak, paint starts peeling, flammable oils become unstable or edges become rusty
Your neighbor’s collection of old vehicles may also be an eyesore. Not only can it reduce your enjoyment of your own home and property, but it may actually decrease the value of your home and your community.
Is there anything you can do?
You may have approached your neighbor and requested that he or she remove the vehicles, but chances are you heard the many reasons why the neighbor is holding on to them. Perhaps you have contacted the local police to see what they can do. However, if the vehicles are causing harm to you, your family or your property, the time to act is now. You may wish to learn what you can do through legal channels to correct the situation.
