Disgusting long rant about neighbors, any advice welcome...

[cindysphynx]

Poor, longsuffering Jen wrote:

> Lawyers out there - if you're willing to make suggestions on 
> this situation, I'm willing to hear them.

<snip heinous tale of putrid living conditions>

I don't know where you live, but I favor the shotgun approach 
myself.  I'm assuming you wish to play *hardball* and you don't care 
if these people are ever friendly with you again.  OK?

As there are children living on the premises, you can call Child 
Protective Services.  That will get your neighbors' attention in a 
hot hurry.  (Oooh, that's just despicable for me even to *suggest* 
such a thing, huh?)

If there is any chance at all that this raw sewage is running into 
any body of water or is contaminating groundwater, I'll bet you can 
report them to the Environmental Protection Agency for a Clean Water 
Act violation.  (Why, that might be a federal offense, huh?  Oooh, 
that is *despicable* too!)

If you observe them making inadequate repairs, you can try calling 
the home improvement permitting bureau.  Perhaps they'll be told to 
hire a real contractor and do the job right, and they could be cited 
for failing to get a permit.

I think I'd also call the local water department (where I live, they 
are responsible for sewage treatment) or whatever department handles 
water treatment where you live.  See what they have to say.

If they are renters, you can check the property tax records and get 
the landlord's name and complain directly.

You can investigate filing a small claims court action for monetary 
damages, or you could even file a court claim seeking abatement of a 
nuisance.  This last course of action would take some time, though.

As for the health department, don't take no for an answer.  Go down 
there personally and work your way up the chain of command.  Be a 
total nuisance.

Call your local political representatives.  They tend to be rather 
useless, but you never know.

Then, go through all of your local government listings and see if 
you can think up anyone else who might be receptive to a complaint.

Of course, keep copies of all letters, and get the names of everyone 
you speak to.  And good luck!

Cindy (whose worst offense as a homeowner is leaving her trash cans 
out long after the trash has been picked up)