A reader sent in a question regarding feuding neighbors.

The email read: I FOUND YOUR BLOG POSTS TO BE INTERESTING. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE AN ANSWER ABOUT THE NEIGHBORS NOT GETTING ALONG IN MULTI FAMILY UNITS THAT SHARE A DRIVEWAY AND IS CONSISTENTLY CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR THE OTHER TENANTS IN THE BUIDLING. IT’S BEGINNING TO BE HARASSMENT IN THE FIRST DEGREE BUT THE TENANTS HAVE BEEN DISCOURAGED FOR CALLING THE POLICE TO AVOID POINTS ON THE PROPERTY.

The first approach is to establish the rules for use of the driveway. Hopefully these rules are written in the lease for every tenant (one of the reasons I recommend a written lease instead of a month to month verbal). If there isn’t a written lease then you could write up an individual notice of the rules regarding parking/use of the driveway etc. and deliver it to each tenant (not just the offending tenant). If a violation of the rules occurs the landlord then should notify the offending tenant that he/she is in violation of the parking rules with a request to move their vehicle immediately. This should be done by phone or in person followed by a dated letter. The landlord should keep all written correspondence for possible future use in court. The landlord could also at the time of sending out the original notice of the rules contract with a towing company to remove cars from the property if notified by the landlord. When this is established the landlord must post a sign on the building stating the name and location of the company that can tow vehicles as warning notice. If the particular tenant keeps on violating the rules you can then issue another written notice and have the vehicle towed. If this procedure does not deter the offending tenant then the final action is to evict the tenant. I would recommend an attorney be used for this type of action.