Neighbors peeling paint

now that i’m back in the forum i wanted to add a couple notes – the wall might actually belong to both of you if it is a remnant party wall, making you potentially responsible for the side exposed in your yard. Please also be aware that in addition to lead paint, these exterior walls often have a nice thick layer of asbestos containing waterproofing on them.

GreenG – forging a relationship with favors can often be helpful, but don’t be surprised if, in the end, “no good deed goes unpunished” applies.

there are some walls which are remnant party walls of since demolished buildings. A neighbor of mine has the situation where his exposed side wall (or the outer half of it) is owned by the new condominium around the corner whose lot was merged into the vacant lot to gain additional FAR (the merged lots make an “L” around a corner building. It complicates his wish to repair and insulate the exposed side wall.

I have a new-to-me lot line wall, and I have to access my neighbor’s yard to deal with it. It’s my responsibility, but I don’t think he could ever demand I do anything with it unless a safety issue arises. (So he is stuck looking at our peach stucco.) It will need repairs in a few years, nothing urgent, and I do wonder conversely what his responsibilities are to me, as the bottom 5-6 feet are inaccessible due to his lawn plantings. Does anyone know? Would I have to pay to have them pulled out and replanted? (They’re from a previous owner and not very well tended so I am hoping he decides to pull them himself during his renovation.) Anyway, as the neighbor on the other side of this equation, OP, my plan is to forge a relationship over gifted bottles of wine and small snow-clearing favors and such before the wall becomes an issue.

It is your neighbor’s responsibility. If you push them to do something about it, they will need acces to your yard. If they choose not to do something and you wish to do something, ask them first. Do not go it alone because if something goes wrong and you did not ask, they will not be happy.

Be aware that if there is old paint there or under layers of new paint, it could contain lead. Don’t just start scraping and letting it fall whereever on your property. (Lead in paint was outlawed in 1978).

If you say something to them and they get a painter in to do this, be sure the painter has the epa lead renovator certification and follows safe practices.