Home / Crime and Justice / Neighbor's Fill Pile Damages London Home
Neighbor's Fill Pile Damages London Home
9 Oct
Summary
- Massive fill pile in neighbor's yard slumps onto property.
- Stairs damaged by fill deemed unsafe, costing over $100,000.
- City bylaw exemption for small residential properties cited.
A London couple is calling on city hall to re-evaluate an exemption in a municipal bylaw after a large pile of fill dumped in a neighbor's backyard caused significant damage to their property. The fill, deposited in 2023, has slumped onto the adjacent property, damaging deck stairs and posing structural integrity concerns. An engineering report confirmed the fill as the cause, leading to an order prohibiting the use of the compromised deck and stairs. The couple faces substantial repair costs, estimated to exceed $100,000 for a retaining wall.
The homeowners revealed that city staff indicated a bylaw exemption for residential properties under 0.5 hectares may have contributed to the situation. They are advocating for an amendment to the bylaw to allow for earlier intervention in such cases. City officials confirmed active bylaw enforcement files and a Property Standards Order regarding fence and erosion concerns, with penalties issued. Despite these actions, the fill pile remains, causing immense stress and financial strain for the affected couple.
