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He put up a gate a few months ago. We went downtown, was told that he couldn’t do it, warned him thusly, and he took it down (mostly). Later we discover that he wants to pave the easement, put in a ditch on both sides (?), and reinstall the gate and give us a key. Meantime, the old fence, which is completely on our property, but also covered by the easement, gave him an opportunity (we believe) to apply pressure for all of the above. We just want to be left the hell alone.
It’s possible that he’s setting up adverse possession with all that maintenance and improvement.
Long story short.
My friend had new neighbors. His driveway was about 150 yards long and ran along the fence line between properties. His survey showed the fence on his property.
One day he came home to find the fence dismantled and a new fence installed - right down the middle of his driveway. He went to the neighbor the ask what’s up and the neighbor refused to talk to him.
My friend chained the fence to his trailer hitch and pulled it out of the ground. The neighbor called police who said “take it to court”
$20,000 later he had an injunction against the neighbor and his driveway back. I reiterate - get lawyered up. A $25 initial consultation is far better than all the “free” advice you get here.
Good luck.
Ok, you left that out. That minor point, is a big part of the story.
Get a lawyer. It is pretty clear you are here looking for people to help your view of the argument. For what reason? Who knows.
Get a lawyer. Pay them a few grand. Then you won’t have enough money to build the fence. But you will have “won!”
let's just work with this. No means no even six months later. So, you can lawyer up, and persist with 'no', or you can lawyer up and horse-trade. How bad does neighbor want that gate? What do you want that he can provide to get you to say yes? Need a new stained concrete driveway? pond dug? new roof? a milk-cow? shed built? solar battery bank? Complete fence replacement? What style gate would make you happy? Big and fancy with carved animals on it, or discreet? You plan to stay on your property forever, so, thinking of if and when the SHTF, you really do want that ex-agent as your friend. A win-win situation that will increase your property value (making you the bigger winner of course) is always better for everyone. Right now, you have only one decision to make, and make it fast - yes or no. Then find a real estate lawyer that will represent that decision. Good luck.