Chat Plus

Real estate editor Maryann Haggerty and columnist Elizabeth Razzi respond to a question adapted from a recent online chat.

Q Wheaton: We live in a single-family home in Wheaton. If we plan to sell our house, how do we politely ask a neighbor to clean up his property? Left outside in the driveway for years have been used car tires, discarded office and school furniture, discarded rugs, defunct appliances and a broken cab from a pickup truck. Instead of parking the cars on the full driveway, they're parked in a small strip on their property between their house and ours, under a tree.

A Maryann Haggerty: Start by asking nicely, in person. But, "Could you please throw out all your horrible junk because it's pulling down property values," probably won't work.

Perhaps, "I've arranged to have a dumpster here next weekend so I can get rid of some oversized trash. Would you like to use it, too?" could be more effective.

A neighbor who is older or infirm might appreciate an offer of help with physical labor. Cleaning up years of mess can be daunting.

Elizabeth Razzi: If a friendly request doesn't do the trick, you should ask Montgomery County authorities to get involved. According to the county's Housing Code Enforcement Handbook, it's a violation to store inoperable vehicles, like that broken pickup cab, on residential property. Discarded furniture, appliances and other junk are forbidden as well. Even if you don't plan to move, you should seek to have that trash removed, because it's a health hazard. Abandoned tires are a haven for mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus. I don't even want to think about the rodents living in that junk. To file a complaint, call 240-777-3785.

M.H.: You might also want to consider a fence. A high one.

The next Real Estate Live chat will be at 1 p.m. May 9.