What to do if a neighbor's land is not maintained (uncultivated or with rubble)?

If unbuilt land or land adjoining a dwelling is not maintained and is located in a residential area or at a maximum distance of 50 meters from dwellings, you can take the following steps.

1. Gathering evidence

Before notifying the mayor, it is recommended that evidence of the lack of maintenance of the land be provided. It may be photographs, a statement made by a commissioner of justice, testimonies or reports prepared by professionals involved in the field (firefighters, technical services, etc.).

2. Report the situation to the Mayor

Then, you must inform the mayor by any means (mail, simple letter, registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt etc.).

The letter must state:

• The location of the land
• The nature of the disorders (invasive vegetation, presence of rubble or waste, etc.)
• The possible existence of a serious or imminent danger (risk of fire, landslide, flood, presence of pests, etc.).

It is recommended that you attach the evidence you have.

The mail must also ask the mayor to use his police powers to stop the situation.

If the unmaintained land is outside a residential area or at a distance greater than 50 meters from the homes, several steps can be taken with the owner.

1. Go to the owner

First of all, it is necessary to go to the owner of the land to tell him about your discomfort and ask him to carry out the maintenance of his plot.

2. If he does not act, send a simple letter

If the owner does not act, you must then send him a simple mail. This letter should recall:

• The location of the land

• The nature of the disorders (invasive vegetation, presence of rubble or waste, etc.)
• The possible existence of a serious or imminent danger (risk of fire, landslide, flood, presence of pests, etc.)
• The need to intervene to maintain the land.

It is recommended to gather as much evidence as possible to support your mail (photographs, commissioner of justice etc.).

3. If he does not act, send a registered letter

In thisIf the owner of the land does not act, you must send him a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

This letter repeats the information contained in the previous letter.

4. If he does not act, attempt to reach an amicable settlement

If - despite your various letters - your neighbor still does not act, you have the possibility to resort to a conciliator of justice (free of charge) or at a mediator (paid approach) or at a participatory procedure (paid procedure with recourse to a lawyer) for find an amicable solution.

This is mandatory to be able to subsequently appeal to the court.

5. Consider recourse to the judge in the event of failure of the amicable settlement

If the wasteland or rubble causes you a abnormal neighborhood disorder (odors, pests, loss of sunlight, risks, impairment of the enjoyment of your property), you can apply to court that your neighbor rehabilitate his land (vegetation reduction, rubble removal, security) and compensate you for your harm.