Jan 6, 2025
Imagine coming home from work to find a three-and-a-half-foot trench dug in the middle of your backyard that runs 40 feet long. It's the stuff of nightmares, but it's a reality for Knoxville, Tennessee homeowner Linda Riddle.
Riddle's neighbor claims she agreed to an easement so that he could get sewer access, as his old pipes had broken in his yard. But Riddle has a very different take on what she actually agreed to, prompting her to pursue legal action.
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The case has been ongoing since September 2024. Meanwhile, Riddle has declined her neighbor’s settlement offer and is still waiting to be adequately compensated according to her standards.
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“I just want my backyard fixed,” she told WATE 6 News. “I want it so I can use it for my enjoyment.”
Here's what happened and what you may want to do if a neighbor encroaches on your property.
Suing over a sewer line
Riddle's neighbor dug the trench in her backyard back in February of 2024 for a simple reason. He couldn't connect to the city's sewer without going through her yard because of the way the houses are arranged.
The neighbor owns a rental property next door, and when the clay pipes in his yard broke, he asked Riddle to agree to an easement so a new pipe could pass through her yard. That way he could connect the home to the city's system.
Riddle's attorney said that she actually gave permission for a connection behind her yard, not the area where the trench was dug.
But, while she was at work, her neighbor allegedly hired a plumber to run a connection smack through the middle, carving a large, deep trench — without her permission and without a permit.
Riddle filed a lawsuit alleging the easement the neighbor claims he has doesn't exist and that the work was done unlawfully.
She's currently maintaining a fence around the trench to help keep passersby safe and the city issued a stop work order after Codes Enforcement found no proof of an easement and that the work was done by an unlicensed plumber.
Meanwhile, Riddle wants to be properly compensated for all the damage done.
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How to cope with a property dispute with a neighbor
Unfortunately, issues with easements like this can come up fairly regularly — and they can often be difficult to resolve.
While utility companies may have the right to come onto your property to gain access to their lines and equipment, things get a little more complicated if your neighbor suddenly needs an easement to gain access to utilities.
In some cases, easements can have an adverse impact on your property value as they limit the rights of future owners, so you may be hesitant to comply. Getting a lawyer involved is usually the best option when you can’t come to an agreement with your neighbor, as they can explain the different types of easements that may be applicable and help you negotiate the terms.
Without a formal easement, your neighbor can't and shouldn't just come onto your property and start making changes. Though Riddle’s neighbor did ask for permission, the way he used her land was allegedly not permitted.
If you're worried about affording a lawyer, there may be a legal aid office in your area that can help.
You can try to handle the issue yourself as well by reporting illegal work to the township and filing a claim in small claims court without professional advice — but since a lot of money is often at stake, trying to get some type of legal counsel is usually going to be your best bet.
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Christy Bieber has 15 years of experience as a personal finance and legal writer. She has written for many publications including Forbes, Kilplinger, CNN, WSJ, Credit Karma, Insurify and more.
