Responsibilty of abandoned propert owner

[duckingbullets]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio

The house on a property in the country burned down three years ago. The owners moved out of state. At the rear of the property is a woods, behind which is our property on the next road. People are going onto the neighboring property with rifles and shooting in the woods. Last week, holes consistent with the path of a bullet appeared in some laundry we had hanging on the line on that side of the property.

I know that the person shooting a gun is responsible for where his bullets travel, but does the absent landowner have any responsibility in preventing such activity on his land (at least posting "no trespassing" signs)?

 

[justalayman]

An owner is not required to police his property in such a manner. The posting of signs would serve no purpose if the owner is not willing to prosecute a trespasser either. If people are carelessly firing weapons in your area, you need to report it to the police.

If you believe posting signs would be beneficial and since the owner of the land is not around, why don't you post some signs. They would not be enforceable but they would provide the same service as a sign posted by the owner if they owner is not willing to return to the area and enforce his signs.

have you considered attempting to purchase the property? That way you could enforce a no trespassing order.

 

[duckingbullets]

Thank you for your response. We called the sheriff's office on the day that our property was damaged and will continue to do so. Posting our own signs is a good idea, we can and will do that, as buying the property is likely currently beyond our means.

 

[FarmerJ]

Actually you should do some research before you say you cannot buy it for sure. In many rural areas since the house fire its entirely possible that the remaining structure is now on full code compliance , ( meaning brand new septic system and if the elect has been off a long time maybe new meter pole set up too) so in the end where im going with this is that it may be possible to buy it when it goes to tax auction or un paid prop taxes, Have you searched your county tax records to see how much the land is worth for taxation since the structure is not liveable , * hint are the ptaxes current or UN paid ?