Untidy premises and other neighbourhood nuisances

“My neighbour’s yard is a mess. The grass is knee-high, there's a rusted swing set and other equipment (even a car from the 1980s!), and garbage and bottles strewn about. I offered to help him clean up his property but he kept putting it off. One day, I saw our mail carrier trip over a discarded item and hurt his leg. That was the last straw! I called the city. An inspector came and gave my neighbour a letter telling him he had to clean it up within 10 days. Another neighbour and I helped him transform his yard. The grass is now greener on the other side!" 

– Rohan, Delta, BC

Overgrown grass and plants. An old rusted vehicle with flat tires. Broken furniture. Empty cans and bottles. And to top it off, garbage strewn throughout the yard. Does this remind you of a neighbour’s property? Learn how to deal with a neighbour’s untidy premises and other neighbourhood nuisances.

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  • This information applies to British Columbia, Canada
  • Reviewed for legal accuracy in July 2022
  • Time to read: 11 minutes

Reviewed for legal accuracy by

Lisa Frey, Lawson Lundell LLP

Lisa Frey

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We are grateful to work on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, whose Peoples continue to live on and care for these lands.