What is the name of your state? WI
This question has so many factors, so I hope this is the correct section to ask it.
I am a homeowner and have lived at my current address for the past 9 years. Next door is a house that is being rented out. Living there are a woman and a 9 year old girl. The mother does a terrible job of supervising her daughter and lets her pretty much do anything, and she does just that. Therefore, I have to keep an eye on her whenever she's outside. I've caught her in the act of attempted theft and vandalism on my property and was able to stop most of it. However, last night I caught her and 4 of her friends jumping up and down and stomping on a concrete area that runs between the 2 houses (the houses are close together) until the concrete gave way and collapsed. The ground beneath the concrete had eroded away in the past, so now there is a 3' by 2.5' wide hole there that is a safety hazard. She showed the hole to her mother, saying it was "awesome!" Her mother didn't seem to think much of it and went back in the house. So then her daughter and friends continued breaking up the concrete while I was watching them. I had thought the mother was going to put a stop to it, but that didn't happen. I banged on the wall to let the kids know I was watching them and noting what they were doing. Usually they run away when they see me, but not this time. (I can't go out and discipline other peoples' kids, and I didn't want to get into a confrontation with the neighbor).
Today, I contacted the landlord of that house and had him come over and I showed him the damage. Immediately, he said "Nah, those kids couldn't have done this". I said, "I was right there", as I pointed to the window I was watching them through, "and I saw them do it." He just kept repeating to me that there was no way they could have done it. He was flat out calling me a liar! Then he told me that rain water would end up in my basement when it rained, and that the repair would benefit me more than him. I took this to mean he wanted me to pay at least part of the repair bill. Problem is, the hole is on their side of the property line, and the damage was done by the tenant's daughter (and I was an eyewitness to this). After talking to this landlord, I then felt I was going to have some problems with this situation, so I contacted the police who said this is a civil matter and that I should look for some advice either from a free legal organization or the internet. Well, here I am! Anyone here have any suggestions on what my next move should be, if any?
This question has so many factors, so I hope this is the correct section to ask it.
I am a homeowner and have lived at my current address for the past 9 years. Next door is a house that is being rented out. Living there are a woman and a 9 year old girl. The mother does a terrible job of supervising her daughter and lets her pretty much do anything, and she does just that. Therefore, I have to keep an eye on her whenever she's outside. I've caught her in the act of attempted theft and vandalism on my property and was able to stop most of it. However, last night I caught her and 4 of her friends jumping up and down and stomping on a concrete area that runs between the 2 houses (the houses are close together) until the concrete gave way and collapsed. The ground beneath the concrete had eroded away in the past, so now there is a 3' by 2.5' wide hole there that is a safety hazard. She showed the hole to her mother, saying it was "awesome!" Her mother didn't seem to think much of it and went back in the house. So then her daughter and friends continued breaking up the concrete while I was watching them. I had thought the mother was going to put a stop to it, but that didn't happen. I banged on the wall to let the kids know I was watching them and noting what they were doing. Usually they run away when they see me, but not this time. (I can't go out and discipline other peoples' kids, and I didn't want to get into a confrontation with the neighbor).
Today, I contacted the landlord of that house and had him come over and I showed him the damage. Immediately, he said "Nah, those kids couldn't have done this". I said, "I was right there", as I pointed to the window I was watching them through, "and I saw them do it." He just kept repeating to me that there was no way they could have done it. He was flat out calling me a liar! Then he told me that rain water would end up in my basement when it rained, and that the repair would benefit me more than him. I took this to mean he wanted me to pay at least part of the repair bill. Problem is, the hole is on their side of the property line, and the damage was done by the tenant's daughter (and I was an eyewitness to this). After talking to this landlord, I then felt I was going to have some problems with this situation, so I contacted the police who said this is a civil matter and that I should look for some advice either from a free legal organization or the internet. Well, here I am! Anyone here have any suggestions on what my next move should be, if any?