What is the name of your state? NJ
My townhouse is attached on both sides, one of four homes in the unit. A fence encloses the four backyards, with gates on the end properties. The only way to go from my backyard to the street (other than walking through my house) is across my neighbors' yards and through the gate. We all bought the fence together a few years ago, with each homeowner paying for the portion on their respective property.
My garbage can is in the backyard and I take it out to the street once a week (also my recycling bucket for cans and bottles, once every two weeks). I cross my neighbors' yards and go through the gate. Up to now this hasn't been a problem. But recently the gate was damaged by a windstorm. My neighbor insists that the damage was my fault -- that I must have left the gate open and that allowed it to swing back and forth in the wind and get damaged (not really relevant to the matter, but I am always careful to leave the gate closed and I think it more likely that the closed gate provided more resistance to the wind and therefore was more susceptible to damage). I offered to pay toward the repair -- even before I knew she was blaming me -- as a neighborly gesture. My neighbor didn’t take me up on the offer and paid for the repair but now doesn't want me crossing her property.
Don't I have the right to cross her property in the way and for the reasons I've described?What is the name of your state?
My townhouse is attached on both sides, one of four homes in the unit. A fence encloses the four backyards, with gates on the end properties. The only way to go from my backyard to the street (other than walking through my house) is across my neighbors' yards and through the gate. We all bought the fence together a few years ago, with each homeowner paying for the portion on their respective property.
My garbage can is in the backyard and I take it out to the street once a week (also my recycling bucket for cans and bottles, once every two weeks). I cross my neighbors' yards and go through the gate. Up to now this hasn't been a problem. But recently the gate was damaged by a windstorm. My neighbor insists that the damage was my fault -- that I must have left the gate open and that allowed it to swing back and forth in the wind and get damaged (not really relevant to the matter, but I am always careful to leave the gate closed and I think it more likely that the closed gate provided more resistance to the wind and therefore was more susceptible to damage). I offered to pay toward the repair -- even before I knew she was blaming me -- as a neighborly gesture. My neighbor didn’t take me up on the offer and paid for the repair but now doesn't want me crossing her property.
Don't I have the right to cross her property in the way and for the reasons I've described?What is the name of your state?