Neighbor's Boat Parked On Easement Behind My Property

[wonka27]

Hi folks. I'm glad I found this forum. Maybe someone could help me out.

My neighbor has a motorboat and trailer. When he first got it, he parked it on a parking pad on his property behind his twin home. About 4 months after getting the boat, he decided to build a two car garage at the back of his property where the parking pad was.

When he was about to begin building the garage, he asked me if I'd mind him parking the boat behind my property on the "proposed alley" or I guess now just easement. I didn't have a problem as I thought he mentioned it would be temporary.

A year later the boat remains. I really didn't mind (although always questioned the legallity of it). I approached him the other day about moving the boat for two different projects I wanted to do, and would be helpful if we could drive work trucks right into our back yard. When I asked about the second one, he became nasty and said that he wasn't moving the boat permanently. This wasn't what I asked him, but now that I see that he will cause me a great deal of difficulty, I do want the boat gone.

Does anyone have a clue as to what my rights are. Again, the boat is parked not on my official property, but on the "proposed alley" or "easement" behind my house. Can people park things there? If so, can anyone do it anywhere? Does the homeowner have rights to the easement since it was never finished into an alley? Any kind of advice would be great!!!

[jk]

The first thing you have to determine is: who owns the property.

Then you need to figure out if there is actually an easement.

If you do not own the proerty, you cannot dictate what happens on the property. If the city et.al. own the property, the local laws and ordinances should be sought to determine the legality of the parking. If it is illegal, notify the appropriate authorities.

[lwpat]

You will need to find out what type of "easement" exists. Start by finding out who owns the property. If there is no official "easement," you might want to purchase the property since this seems to be a issue with you.

[wonka27]

Thank you for the replies.

Although I don't know for sure, I believe an easement exists. Our utility poles, electric, cable, and phone wires run behind our properties.

I realize I may have to enlist the help of a lawyer to determine what this property actually is.