Noisiest neighbors strike yet again! AC noise.

[toykle]

For over 35 years, we've lived in a small rural subdivision built in the 1930's and have been putting up with noisy, nosy, neighbors on one side for over 25 years.
They've always had at least 3 barking dogs, including attack-trained german shepherds (who came after us on our own property), making it impossible to enjoy the use of our 1/2 acre yard. For years, their dogs have been waking us up at all hours and making it impossible to EVER relax in silence. Although we repeatedly attempted to get them to keep the dogs quiet, it was bad enough to have me fantasizing about trying some target practice from my bedroom window.

About 2 years ago, having purchased absolutely every available noise-making portable machine known to man for use at 6:30 or 7am on Saturday and Sunday mornings, they stepped up to having their central air conditioning/ heating unit installed just inside their lot line between our houses...directly below our den and bedroom windows. I pointed out to them BEFORE it was installed that installing the unit there would cause extreme noise problems. The sound of the compressor and fan echoes between the buildings and is loud enough to wake us each time the unit goes on and off. We can't watch tv without turning the volume so ridiculously high to hear it over their air conditioner that I've actually sustained hearing loss!

After approaching the neighbor last year and explaining the problem, she promised to have the unit moved to the back of their house where the noise wouldn't be a nuisance. About a week ago she informed me that they wouldn't be living up to her promise because it would cost $3000. to move the unit about 20-25 feet and I should figure out another solution. I previously discussed with them the fact that I purposely have been allowing the lilac, bridal wreath and quince bushes between the noisy unit and my house to fill out in hopes of muffling the deafening noise.

Saturday, while investigating a new, even more annoying noise disturbing us while trying to visit with guests, even with our windows closed and our wall mounted air conditioner running, I discovered that the neighbor had hired someone to come in OUR yard and hack the bushes on OUR side of the lotline. By the time I discovered what was going on, the damage had been done. I called immediately to ask why on earth they had done this and she swore, grumbled, complained and hung up on me. My bushes now look horrible and cutting them back has removed any muffling effect they were finally starting to provide.

We now can't sleep, relax, or watch tv in peace, in addition to having lost all desire to spend time in our own yard. They have greatly infringed upon not only our right to be able to enjoy our own property, but our ability to comfortably exist in our own home.


I know it's only gotten to this point because I've spent years attempting to peacefully co-exist with these people.
Big mistake in retrospect!

What recourse do I have against these unbelievably bold trespassing neighbors and what approach can I take regarding the awful air conditioner noise being in a rural county area in a county with no noise ordinance?

[msgny]

You can ask a court to restrain their trespass and noise--but you have to show that it is totally unreasonable what they are doing. It would help if you have a low noise solution etc.

You can sue for any plant damages in small claims.