Unapproved Markings on my property

[ChadRG]

A couple of days ago, I discovered that someone from Verizon spray painted my yard and my neighbors yard to mark cables. I want to know what policy or contract that I signed that authorizes Verizon to have unapproved access on my property, and allows them to destroy my yard with spray paint. I was never asked for permission to approve what a Verizon person has done.

[Hubrisnxs]

What You Should Know About Easements and Rights-of-Way ...

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A property easement is generally written and recorded with the local assessor’s office. The documented easement will show up when a title search is conducted and it stays there indefinitely, unless both parties agree to remove it.

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[walt178]

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@ChadRG wrote:

A couple of days ago, I discovered that someone from Verizon spray painted my yard and my neighbors yard to mark cables. I want to know what policy or contract that I signed that authorizes Verizon to have unapproved access on my property, and allows them to destroy my yard with spray paint. I was never asked for permission to approve what a Verizon person has done.

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They don't need your permission.  When someone request a service (new or repair) that will involve digging, the company who will do the digging intiates a request to have all existing underground lines marked.  In most places that is a legal requirement before any digging takes place.

It will not destroy your yard.  The paint used is designed for spray painting lawns.  It won't harm the grass and will disappear in one to two weeks.

[armond_in_nj1]

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@ChadRG wrote:

... someone from Verizon spray painted my yard and my neighbors yard to mark cables. I want to know what policy or contract that I signed that authorizes Verizon to have unapproved access on my property, and allows them to destroy my yard with spray paint ...

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Call us back in two weeks and provide details on the "destruction."  For goodness sakes, get with the program and learn about easements, local utility regulations, township requuirements, and whatever else is required to enter the 21st century.

[ChadRG]

I was stationed in Germany for 12 years straight, so cut me a little slack. I am sure you wouldn't mind a little courtesy when someone strange goes into your yard and does something. Have a little respect for those that that serve our country overseas and may not be so well versed in easements.

[armond_in_nj1]

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@ChadRG wrote:

I was stationed in Germany for 12 years straight, so cut me a little slack. I am sure you wouldn't mind a little courtesy when someone strange goes into your yard and does something. Have a little respect for those that that serve our country overseas and may not be so well versed in easements.

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Thanks for your service, and welcome home.  I am a big supporter of today's military volunteers, having myself served in Germany for six years a long time ago.  However if you believe that the issue at hand has anything to do with patriotism, military service, or something else wholly unrelated to Verizon services, then I really don't believe we're going to make any progress any time soon.

[DeValeon]

Hi,

If the areas which were sprayed were not within the easement/right of way, then technically speaking, they may not have had the authority to spray.  When the companies responsible for spraying are contacted, they are unaware of the easement locations.  Therefore, your entire property is sprayed.  If they did not do so, Verizon might dig in locations where power lines exist.  You would not want them to do that!

If you don't want them to spray again, you could contact the companies that did the spraying and notify them that as the property owner, you do not wish for them to return.  Then, they will determine whether to follow your instructions or the company (Verizon) which contacted them to do the spraying.  You could ask the sprayers to require Verizon to provide the proper documentation of the "right of way" prior to spraying. 

The courteous thing for Verizon to do would have been to contact you in advance.  If you are one of their customers, they have a contact phone number.  If you were planning on using your grass for a kindergarten pool party or your daughter's quintcierra, it would have created an inconvenience to have someone spray as you tried to enjoy your outdoor space.  A space which you pay real estate taxes for!  Verizon can say they are not obligated to notify you in advance.  They may be correct about that.  Although it does not make for good public relations to have this attitude.

The good news is that your grass will grow.  After a few mowings, the markings will be cut away.

Kind regards,

DeValeon

[LawrenceC]

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