Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New Jersey
private nuisance-neighbor bringing down property values
My neighbor has let his house deteriorate to the point that my house won't sell. The realtors have asked if the house is abandoned or in foreclosure. The township will not help although we've made numerous complaints. Can I file a complaint against my neighbor claiming personal nuisance?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: private nuisance-neighbor bringing down property values
Some municipalities have ordinances that require a landowner to maintain property to a reasonable standard. There is wide variation among the ordinances and many municipalities have none at all.
If your municipality has such an ordinance, you can ask that it be enforced. If the municipal officials will not enforce it, you can sue to require them to enforce it. You may also then be able to sue the neighbor directly because of the damage done to you by violation of the ordinance.
If there is no such ordinance, you may not have a remedy. There is no common law requirement for a landowner to maintain the value of his neighbor's land or to maintain his own yard and buildings according to a particular standard.
So, look through your municipal code or ask your lawyer to do that for you. Most NJ municipalities have the code online.
See also: http://info.corbettlaw.net/lawguru.htm
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