Disclaimer: The below is solely intended for informational purposes and in no way constitutes legal advice or specific recommendations.
When you find dog poop on your property, and you don’t own a dog yourself, you may be wondering how it got there. Not only is dog poop gross and hard to clean off your shoes, it is also an environmental hazard according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Just one gram of dog poop may contain over 23 million bacteria, many of which can be dangerous to both animal and human health. Parvovirus, coronavirus, E. Coli, whipworms, Coccidia, hookworms, Guardia, tapeworms, salmonella, Campylobacteriosis are just a few of the many dangerous illnesses that can be spread through dog fecal matter. These dangerous diseases can spread all over your lawn and inside your house, or be carried down into the groundwater where they can live for more than a year. Insects and other animals are also attracted to the dung, and they carry their treasures with them wherever they go.
Dog Waste is Not a Fertilizer
All the hard work of keeping your lawn green and healthy can be erased when Fido comes over to play unannounced. Dog poop can destroy your lawn by causing brown spots and discoloration. A once luscious lawn can become unsightly when dog poop takes over and leaves patches in the grass. Dog poop and urine produce excess nitrogen which can kill your lawn.
What Should I do to Stop Dogs from Using my Lawn as a Potty Station?
First of all, it’s important to refrain from making assumptions. Just because you find dog doo-doo on your lawn doesn’t mean that your neighbor was leaving it there on purpose. Stop yourself from acting rashly or out of anger: consider what might have happened, and that this one-time transgression may have been an accident. Did a stray dog pass through your neighborhood, leaving little gifts behind? Did your sweet but preoccupied neighbor forget to bring a plastic bag and promise to come back any minute with the bag? Did your neighbor’s large dog escape his enclosure once again and head to his favorite spot – your lawn?
First, try playing detective to find out who or what might be behind this “dirty” deed. Using adequate precautions and distance, consider inspecting the specimen to see whether it came from a large or small animal. Ask nearby neighbors if they have been experiencing the same problem. Keep an eye out for any dogs passing by, and see if they stop on your lawn to do their business. Remember to never accuse someone of allowing their dog to poop on your lawn. Always get the facts straight first.
Once you have conclusively determined which dog has been causing offense to your lawn, find a polite way to address the owner of the dog. Consider using “I” statements and avoid sentences that start with “you.” For example, you might say, “I noticed that your dog has been using my lawn to relieve himself. I am not sure if you are aware, but dog poop can have very dangerous germs. Is there any way you could either pick up the poop next time or find a different spot for him to do his business?”
If the owner continues to allow his or her dog to continue to defecate on your property, you can always set up a camera, or take pictures as evidence. Remember, the law is on your side. Whatever you do, stay calm, do not harass, threaten, intimidate, or otherwise elevate the tension.
What Not to do When You Find Dog Waste in Your Yard
It’s okay to feel upset, irritated and annoyed when you find your lawn contaminated with dog waste. However, don’t turn your feelings into behavior that could invite retaliation. Here’s a list of what you should avoid doing when you are upset with your neighbor’s dog:
Don’t cause physical harm to your neighbor or his or her dog.
Do not light the dog poop on fire in front of your neighbor.
Don’t yell at your neighbor or cause a scene.
Don’t take the dog poop and toss it onto your neighbor’s property.
Don’t deliver the dog poop to your neighbor’s mailbox or front door.
What are my Rights as a Property Owner?
You have a right to a clean, disease-free home and lawn. If a dog continues to trespass on your property without your permission and cause damage to your lawn, it might be time to seek the help of an experienced attorney.
Want to know more about your neighborhood? Plug an address into NeighborWho’s property finder and see what you can find!
Disclaimer: The below is solely intended for informational purposes and in no way constitutes legal advice or specific recommendations.
Home improvement scams happen with enough regularity that it pays to be wary. Think about the sad irony of it all: you’re just trying to make life a little better for you and your family, but what happens instead is you lose a lot of money. Home improvement scams can really be heartbreaking and create significant financial burdens.
The good news is that, with a little planning, you can hopefully make your home improvement plans relatively scam-proof. Here are the top eight scams to avoid.
Your Home Improvement Business has Contract Phobia Issues
One rule of thumb is to never do business with a contractor without a paper trail. If your potential contractor balks on this, you may want to consider no longer proceeding.
By and large, real professionals in the construction field understand that contracts are essential for good business practices. Contracts protect both the customer and business alike. They’re also important documents that spell out what work the customer can expect and for what price.
You’re Asked to Pay in Cash
Generally, homeowners are advised to never make large payments in cash. If something would go wrong such as shoddy work or no work at all, you want proof that you made a payment.
Thankfully, most construction companies are trustworthy. It’s the few others you have to watch out for: some scammers will simply take your money and run. They’ll quickly spend your hard-earned cash and you’ll never hear from them again.
Avoid Making Natural Disasters Even More Disastrous
In the event of a natural disaster, it may be prudent to be extra careful when considering which construction companies you use to help you rebuild. This is when some scammers swoop in, posing as well-meaning contractors. However, because of the scarcity of sufficient skilled labor available to match the overabundance of workers suddenly needed to service disaster areas, it’s easier than ever for scammers to blend in unnoticed.
Typically, the best contractors will be fully booked for a long time. Scammers, on the other hand, will offer you quick work for quick pay. The problem is, you’ll likely pay for it when you receive substandard work, if you get any work at all.
You may want to be especially careful about signing over your insurance check until you know exactly who you’re dealing with and their reputation.
They Request an Excessive Down Payment
Making a down payment before work begins is common practice. However, if the down payment amount exceeds 1/3 of the total project cost, this could be a major red flag.
If you feel the upfront fee is too steep, try negotiating with your contractor. The majority of businesses are willing to negotiate the down payment with you.
Unwilling to Operate with Permits
It’s essential that your contractor has the appropriate permits to do the job. You’ll rest easy knowing that your contractor is properly insured and follows local building laws.
If the business you go with is unwilling to be transparent when it comes to permits, you may want to look elsewhere. It could be that your contractor is unlicensed. If that’s the case, you’ll likely risk paying a heavy price later on even if you save a few dollars in the short term.
Unwillingto Provide References
Quality companies are more than happy to provide references to prospective customers who ask for them. They have nothing to hide and stand behind the quality of the work they provide.
However, if you ask a contractor for references and they’re unwilling to provide them, proceed with extreme caution.
High-Pressure Contractors
The best contractors almost always have plenty of work to do. They’ll never use high-pressure sales tactics. They’re confident in their abilities. For that reason, they want you to be sure of what you’re signing up for.
If a contractor ever pressures you into a quick sale, this may be a major warning sign. Many feel that only scammers and companies with questionable work practices would do this.
The Project Price Keeps Increasing
There are times for legitimate project prices increases. A good contract will make allowances for this, where warranted, so long as both parties agree to the extra work and payment with a new signature.
That said, price increases are sometimes a scam tactic. If you feel that price increases for your project are unwarranted, consider getting the opinion of a building inspector or established contractor in your area.
Additional Ways to Avoid Being a Victim of Fraud and Scams
Now that we’ve discussed specific ways that you could be scammed, here are a few additional practices that may help you avoid home improvement fraud.
Know your local laws: In some regions, contractors are only legally able to take a certain dollar percentage upfront before starting a project. Check your local and state laws to inform yourself on these laws.
Also, building codes vary by region. Although you should be able to rely solely on your contractor for this, it never hurts to do your own homework. A homeowner’s nightmare is paying full price for completed work that isn’t up to code. This could lead to potentially unsafe living conditions and make your house difficult to sell without potentially costly alterations.
By thoroughly knowing your local laws, you’ll likely be better able to spot a good contractor and, more importantly, a bad one!
Never make a deal with a contractor offering “leftover” or discounted building materials: Good contractors never do this. If you proceed, you could wind up getting ripped off.
Check out contractors through the BBB: The Better Business Bureau may have high praises for your contractor or quite the opposite. Checking into this is always time well spent. You can do your research at bbb.org.
There’s a lot you can do to try and protect yourself from home improvement scams. If you take a little time to prepare now, you may be happy you did later on.
Want to know more about your neighborhood? Plug an address into NeighborWho’s property finder and see what you can find!
Disclaimer: The below is solely intended for informational purposes and in no way constitutes legal advice or specific recommendations.
Not only is illicit use of your wireless network a nuisance that can hinder its performance, but when people hack into your WiFi, it also poses serious security risks.
Fortunately, as the network administrator, there a couple ways you can detect whether a neighbor or other stranger is tapping into your WiFi. You can then take the appropriate measures to prevent this behavior and strengthen your overall network security.
How to sniff out WiFi intruders
One way to tell if someone could be using your wireless Internet connection is if you are experiencing a slower-than-normal speed while browsing or downloading content.
If you suspect that an outsider has tapped into your connection, try unplugging or turning off all of your wireless-capable devices that are connected to the Internet—including your smartphone, computer, gaming console, and television—and then go check your wireless router.
Typically, if the light continues to flicker (notwithstanding powering off all of the above), someone else may be using your WiFi.
This low-tech method of detection relies on you shutting down all devices and does not provide much additional information, but it is quick and easy.
Another more conclusive method is using an app that can search for any unfamiliar devices connected to your WiFi at unusual times and notify you if strange traffic is detected. Apps that can perform such a function include Wi-Fi Inspector or Wireless Network Watcher.
You also can log into your router’s administration page and check the list of IP addresses, Media Access Control (MAC) addresses, and detectable names for devices connected to your WiFi. The name of the section with that list will differ based on your router, but it should be called something akin to “My Network,” “Attached Devices,” or “Device List.” You can check this list against the devices within your house or apartment that you know to be connected to the WiFi. Not only can you track network activity through the admin console, but you also can change security settings.
Ways to prevent unwanted use of your WiFi
Once you determine a neighbor or other person is habitually logging into your network, you should take steps to prevent this illicit behavior. Here are a few ways to put a stop to outsiders accessing your network:
1. Update router password
First, you should strengthen the security on your network. That may mean changing the default router name and password for people who have not already done so. In general, changing the password will likely boot off all the devices currently connected. Then you will be rid of unwanted freeloaders and can reconnect your personal devices using the new password. When choosing an updated password, it is typically advised to make it long and reasonably complex that you can still remember. You also can change the router name by accessing the Service Set Identifier, typically located under the wireless settings menu.
2. Strengthen security
Choose the strongest wireless network encryption that is currently available, or WPA2, which is compatible with most devices manufactured after 2006. Stay away from WEP and WPA if possible, as they both tend to be less secure. You may have to choose the option WPA + WPA Personal to make sure all your own devices can connect to the network.
3. Try a network monitoring tool
If you are more serious about detecting not only if someone is stealing your WiFi, but also who or where they are generally located, you can try a mobile tracking software tool such as MoocherHunter, a part of the OSWA-Assistant wireless auditing toolkit. Law enforcement agencies in Asia and elsewhere use the software to geo-locate wireless hackers from the traffic they send across the network. You can triangulate the physical location of the unwanted user, down to 2 meters accuracy, thanks to the directional antenna on your wireless card.
What is at risk from illicit network use?
When other users tap into your connection, unbeknownst to you, it not only decreases performance, but also poses a significant security risk. Your Internet connection will likely slow down and you may find your devices getting inexplicably disconnected from your router. According to Lifehacker.com, neighbors and other hackers can access shared folders on your network, depending on the security measures you use, allowing them to steal important data. They can even hack into the smart devices in your home and engage in illegal file downloading or illegal music/video sharing.
If you suspect someone is stealing your WiFi, it is time to give them the boot. By updating passwords and choosing a secure wireless network encryption, you can make your network safer and less permeable, protecting it from unwanted access and activity.
Want to know more about your neighborhood? Plug an address into NeighborWho’s property finder and see what you can find!
Disclaimer: The below is solely intended for informational purposes and in no way constitutes legal advice or specific recommendations.
If you’re a homeowner, winterproofing your home is just a seasonal chore. But if you’re a new homeowner, you may not know where to start. Before the first snowfall, here are a few steps you may want to take to avoid making emergency repairs in the cold.
1 – Insulate pipes
Insulation may not just keep your hot water, well, hot, but it may also prevent pipes from bursting. This can cause significant and costly damage to your home, and may lead to other hard-to-fix issues, such as water damage and a mold infestation. When water in your home’s pipes freeze, that can lead to cracks. Eventually, those cracks get larger, and the water’s pressure can cause the pipes to burst. Prevent this from happening by insulating the pipes in the coldest parts of your house (places such as attics and crawl spaces), keeping cabinets open to let heat circulate closer to the pipes, and occasionally letting water drip from faucets to keep water flowing.
2 – Clean your gutters
Cleaning out your home’s gutters is an important step in protecting your home from the winter weather: dead leaves and debris stuck in the gutters can prevent water flow. But it’s not the only precaution to see to outside. To better protect your house’s foundation, take steps to make sure that any water can easily be diverted away from your home, via a downspout. Don’t forget to maintain trees and other large shrubbery: all it takes is one heavy snowfall or a gust of icy wind to knock down branches, which can take down power lines (or worse) with them.
3 – Check your roof
Your roof is an important defense against the winter weather, and certain bad circumstances can cause it to fail and let water or ice seep into your home. Accumulating snow, for example, can cause an older roof to collapse. Consider getting a roof rake with a long handle so you can remove snow without risking your safety and wellbeing.
4 – Stock up on the right tools
Shovels and salt are generally no-brainers for homeowners, but don’t forget emergency kits and flashlights. Bad winter weather can easily knock out power in some neighborhoods, so you may want to be prepared — especially if you’re expecting to host guests for longer than a day. Get bottled water, OTC medications, and pre-packaged food that doesn’t need to be heated or refrigerated. Batteries, a battery-powered radio, and a charged phone are also great items to add to your arsenal.
5 – Think beyond the obvious
You may be thinking about protecting your home from the winter weather, but you may want to think about how to protect it from the criminals who take advantage of this time of year to scam unsuspecting homeowners. Invest in home automation with a front-facing security camera, or a doorbell with a camera, so you can see who’s at your door. This time of year, thieves may steal packages from your porch, and if you want to catch them in the act, some of these tools may be helpful.
If you’re a homeowner with an elderly or disabled neighbor, offer your services: help them shovel snow from their driveway, pick up groceries, or offer them a care package. Some criminals may pose as do-gooders, only to scam more vulnerable individuals or steal their belongings when invited into their home.
Don’t forget to check up on and help neighbors who may not have the tools and resources to protect themselves. A helping hand or a phone call can go a long way!
Want to know more about your neighborhood? Plug an address into NeighborWho’s property finder and see what you can find!
In June 2014, the Broadduses thought that they were moving into their dream home, but when they started receiving creepy and terrifying letters, they suddenly realized they were wrong.
At the time, 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey, was a beautiful 6-bedroom house, built in 1905, that sits on an expansive, nearly 20,000 square foot lot. The neighborhood prides itself on being an idyllic setting: just 45 minutes away from New York, its residents are mostly families who would typically be considered, by many accounts, to be wealthy. Westfield is, in fact, the 99th-richest city in America, the 18th-richest in New Jersey, and was recently named the country’s 30th-safest town. Amongst the locals, the chief complaint in recent history was the temporary shutdown of the Trader Joe’s, due to a roof collapse. Boulevard is largely considered to be one of the most desirable streets in town: wide, tree-lined, and with some of the more expensive homes in the area.
Derek and Maria Broaddus were in the process of making some renovations when they received the first anonymous letter. They had closed on the home for about $1.3 million. The letter, a card-shaped note in a white envelope, had been postmarked on June 4th — before the sale of the home had been made public. There was no return address.
Little did the couple know that this would be the first in a string of increasingly threatening letters they would receive at 657 Boulevard — angry messages that not just targeted them, but also their three young children.
At first, the first letter seemed innocuous, even welcoming.
Dearest new neighbor at 657 Boulevard, Allow me to welcome you to the neighborhood.
But as Derek read on, the writer’s tone shifted, suggesting a more hostile intent. The writer spoke of bringing “young blood” into the house and questioned why the Broadduses had moved in. He promised to watch the house, the children inside, and to “lure” them to him. Whether the letter was a nasty prank, the delusions of an angry neighbor, or the empty threats of a bitter rival buyer, it was a scary start to a new life: the writer, who called himself “The Watcher” had already done his research. He seemed to know a lot about the family despite them having not yet moved in: he had taken note of what their car looked like and the kinds of renovations being made on the house — which he had made clear in the letter that he was deeply unhappy with.
Derek, who was alone in 657 Boulevard at the time, went straight to the police. Authorities said that there was not much to be done with just a letter and no other lead.
The Broadduses were on high alert every time they visited their new house. Derek and Maria kept their children close at all times, fearing that The Watcher would make good on his promise to “lure them” and even hurt them.
Two weeks later, the second letter came in the mail. This time, The Watcher knew the children’s names and stated them in the letter, referring to them as “young blood.” He assured the couple that he had been, and would continue to watch the family very closely.
All of the windows and doors in 657 Boulevard allow me to watch you and track you as you move through the house. Who am I? I am the Watcher and have been in control of 657 Boulevard for the better part of two decades now.
At this point, Derek and Maria stopped bringing their kids to the new house. Several weeks later, a third letter came, demanding to know where they had gone.
Not only did the couple not want their children in the home and neighborhood, they were giving up on their dream home. While 657 Boulevard was everything they wanted in a house (they had poured money into its renovations, turning it into a house now valued at over $1 million), they felt unsafe and worried about the future. The idea of living there and at the mercy of The Watcher, an anonymous stalker tormenting them and following their every move, filled them with anxiety. By the time the third letter had arrived at the home, the couple decided to launch an official investigation into the identity of The Watcher, sell the home, and sue the couple who lived there before them. The sellers had apparently failed to disclose they they received a letter from the stalker too, just a few days before moving out. While this isn’t illegal in New Jersey, the Broadduses felt that they should have been told if the new residents would be threatened this way.
The investigation did not yield much. There were some suspects, neighbors who fit the profile of the suspected stalker. The Watcher had left no digital footprint, but most people, including the authorities, agreed that he must live in close proximity to the house. Derek started sleeping with a knife nearby and Maria suffered from nightmares, and when the Westfield authorities were left with no leads on the culprit, the couple launched a private investigation that was just as inconclusive.
In the four years that have passed since Derek and Maria received The Watcher’s first letter, they’ve made many attempts to get rid of the house. With no one wanting to buy it, they tried petitioning to destroy 657 Boulevard, split the lot into two, and to rebuild. The neighbors were infuriated, and the town denied the request. Luckily, a man only identified as “Chris” decided to rent the home for some time, but it wasn’t enough income to help the Broadduses pay down their mortgage. While the renter occupied the home, a fourth letter arrived: it was the most ominous of all the notes, threatening violence against the family and vowing to get revenge for trying to tear down the house. More scared than ever, they wanted the case to be pursued, but there was little for investigators to go on, much like in the beginning, when the whole ordeal started.
Derek and Maria have finally opened up about the “haunting” of their home to New York Magazine, and have made details about The Watcher’s letters public. Derek himself has revealed to the publication that last Christmas, he delivered anonymous, copycat letters to former neighbors — especially those who were the most critical and unsympathetic to the family’s plight, and those who did not believe in plausible threat The Watcher posed.
Westfield Police have yet to identify a suspect, and The Watcher has not been heard from since February 2017, when the fourth letter was sent.
The house, 657 Boulevard, is also back on the market for about $1.1 million.
If you’re a homeowner, you may have spent months, even years investing in and improving the look and feel of your house. You’ve turned it into your personal oasis. It has all the amenities you need and want, and all the renovations you’ve made perfectly reflect your personal taste.
Creating the home you want doesn’t just end at your property’s boundaries. Take a look at your neighborhood. Could it use a little sprucing up? Do you think you can make a positive impact on the appearance and safety of your streets, sidewalks, playgrounds, and other public spaces? If you think you can make your neighborhood a better place to live, here are 10 ways you can take action immediately.
1- Pick up litter near your home.
A little cleaning goes a long way. If trash was thrown on the sidewalk that runs by your home, take a few seconds to put it in the garbage. If everyone on your street did this, you would have a clean, trash-free street in no time!
2- Support local businesses.
Supporting local business can help improve the local economy, keeping the neighborhood unique. Thriving small businesses in your area may help boost the desirability of living in that particular area. This may, in turn, increase the value of the properties around it — possibly yours. Supporting local entrepreneurs may also allow you to meet new people, keeping the neighborhood friendly and open to newcomers.
3- Volunteer.
There may be more opportunities to volunteer in your neighborhood than you think, whether it’s at the local public library or in a community garden. All you need to do is ask! Volunteering, whether it’s cleaning up, helping out at an after-school program, or just keeping others company, can benefit the people around you in unseen ways and bring the community closer together.
4- Talk to and help your neighbors.
Even if you prefer keeping to yourself, it’s important to connect with your neighbors — you never know when you may need their help, or if they’ll ever need yours. They can keep an eye on your house and alert you should there ever be some suspicious activity on your property. If you have an elderly neighbor, help them shovel snow in the wintertime. If you have kids, your neighbor may end up being the person you trust the most to keep them safe when you’re away.
5- Donate.
You don’t have to donate money to improve the quality of life in your neighborhood. If there is a local charity near you, try donating some gently used coats, clothes, and accessories— you never know who among the people around you is secretly struggling. It doesn’t matter who gets your previously owned items — just know that you’re helping them out in a huge way!
6- Help improve neighborhood safety.
There are so many ways you can help increase neighborhood safety, both on your own and with the help of your neighbors. Less crime in your area means a better quality of life! Check out all the ways you can start keeping you, your family, and your neighbors safe.
7- Plant a tree.
Trees and plants help improve air quality, which may lead to fresher, cleaner air in your neighborhood. Plus, they’re pleasant to look at, and provide shade in the summer months and can improve mental health. Get together with some neighbors and start planting: it’s a win-win situation!
8- Use your car less: bike, walk, or use public transportation.
If you want to improve both your neighborhood and the environment at large, use your car as little as possible. If you can bike or walk to your destination, do so! If everyone made the same effort, there could be less congestion on the streets. Additionally, you’ll get more exercise, and that’s a good thing!
9- Set up an emergency preparedness network and establish an action plan.
If you live in a high-risk area for natural disasters like wildfires, earthquakes, mudslides, hurricanes, and tornadoes (to name a few), communicate with your neighbors: how would you keep each other safe and alive in the event of an emergency? Make plans to check on each other or to help transport groups of people to a safe zone, when necessary. You may also want to have a way to communicate in case phone lines are down.
10- Promote literacy.
One of the greatest advantages of having a home is that you can set up a small, free library on your property. No, it doesn’t mean inviting people into your home — all it takes is a single bookshelf. Homeowners can set up small “give one, take one” book exchanges in front of their houses that allow anyone to do just that: leave a finished book on the shelf while taking out a new one for free. This way, children in the area may have greater access to literature and knowledge. Who knows, you may help them get better scores on tests and do better in school!
These are only a few ways you can help improve your neighborhood, but any small, positive change can make a world of difference in the quality of life of your and your neighbors. Don’t underestimate the power of your actions!
Want to know more about your neighborhood? Plug an address into NeighborWho’s property finder and see what you can find!
