Blooming peony bushes and a veggie garden met an early demise when a contractor working next door dumped gravel over clearly delineated property space. Rightfully heated, the affected Iowa homeowner reached out to the r/legaladvice subreddit to ask, "What, if anything, should I do?"
Despite a clear opening between garages that separates the two properties and a brick enclosure around the garden, a contractor hired by the neighbor's landlord dumped gravel on the OP's land. Not only was it a property line violation — it buried the plants that the OP nurtured from seeds.
On their end, the OP confirmed two important things: their property line and a permit from the contractor showing that property division. However, they should also look into the specific property violation or agriculture laws in their state, Iowa. Under Iowa's Chapter 716 "Damage and Trespass to Property" or Section 658.4 of the Iowa Code, the OP should be eligible for compensation.
A Texas resident stated, "Here in Texas some things are considered like Agriculture and the laws on those are massive compared to normal 'my plants died' laws. … Might be worth checking out if you have an agriculture office for your town/county/state."
The illegal gravel dumping and plant destruction are one more example of how landlords and other neighbors across the country have sabotaged money-saving and eco-friendly lifestyle adjustments. Anyone held back by HOA regulations should consult TCD's HOA Guide on how to work with stakeholders to change those bylaws.
In this case, an HOA isn't the cause of a homeowner losing out on a vegetable garden — a healthy food source that can reduce grocery expenses. Plus, those destroyed peonies often attract pollinators, most importantly honeybees and wild bees — the most vital creatures to the food chain. The OP should consider what a commenter suggested and "send a certified letter to the owner. Give them a date to clean it up by, then you will bill them for the clean up."
Another person advised, "Landscaping is a real thing, find out the price to purchase and plant mature replacements."
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Should HOAs be able to force homeowners to change their yards?
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Absolutely not 💯 
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