I recently decided to expand my yard and cut paths to access my whole property. In doing so I found out my neighbor has been cutting down my wooded area trees/plants so they could have a better view. I then put some tree stumps back there that I dug out with an excavator (since the area was already cleared) which they can now see and they had the audacity to come say something to me about it.
They claim my wife’s grandfather who was the previous owner used to hire a guy to come trim the land back there, he died in 2016. My wife and I have owned the property now 5 years and no one has asked us for permission to trim anything. The property was heavily wooded and we simply couldn’t access the back of it until I decided to expand. There’s no written agreement or deeded access to that land to anyone.
I’ve spoken to the neighbors and told them to not trim or cut anything on my property anymore, but there’s something about these people I just don’t trust. I’ve already installed trail cameras but my gut is telling me to speak to an attorney and maybe get my land surveyed. Any advice is appreciated. Location: Rhode Island