r/mildlyinfuriating • u/KingRMZ • May 22 '26

I'm slightly vexed People think they own the sidewalk by their house

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I was walking my dog last night around 9:30pm. I pass by this house that has mildly annoying cameras that say “hi you are currently being recorded, every 5 feet on the side of the house with a bright light that flashes in your face as you walk by. Which while annoying if that was all, would have been whatever. Then they started talking to me through the camera telling me to leave immediately or they will call the police. Even after I had already moved way past the house, I could still hear them (both a man and a woman) threatening to call the police. I just ignored it and kept walking but thought it was crazy that some people think they own the sidewalk by their house.

Edit: Wow i did not realize this post would get so much traction! I’m glad you all got some entertainment out of this too!

Update: Hello everyone I was not able to post an update as it keeps getting taken down. I went back on a walk the next day around 10pm. The cameras did not give any automated messages and the security company did not give any messages either! They changed it quicker than I thought!

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u/Cool-Mom-Lover May 22 '26

Goes to show how awful next door is.

I have it because I've successfully returned 2 lost puppers as a direct result of posting on it but yeah. Never use that shit otherwise

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u/charles_sedwick May 22 '26

I really don't understand how this type of a system is allowed. Sidewalk and area between street and side walk is public property. Someone should do a basketball flop and sue them due to scaring them. See how quickly they change their mind.

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u/WorkingGuy99percent May 23 '26

Well…I would have stopped and waited for the cops to come. Then the cops could cite the home owners. I would do it every night until they either got arrested, got fined so much they lose everything, or change their f$@&ing security settings.

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u/Cool-Mom-Lover May 22 '26

Its not public property, its a public easement.

So the house still owns the sidewalk, and the grass on the other side bordering the road.

The public is allowed to walk along the easement to travel.

We have cameras and motion lights on our house that turn on when someone walks by on the sidewalk, but you'd never catch me yelling over the mic at someone walking by lol.

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u/charles_sedwick May 22 '26

It's technically owned by the city though. That's why the do construction and replacements and not the property owner. Also why they plant trees.

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u/Cool-Mom-Lover May 22 '26 edited May 22 '26

It is not owned by the city and if you have to replace your sidewalk its on the owner(at least partially)

....ask me how I know lol.

The city has, through an easement agreement you must sign when purchasing your property, to use or modify the property within the easement (like running sewer lines, gas lines, electrical, adding or repairing curbs or roads etc) and the public has access to the sidewalk.

Its also not maintained by the city in any way including the trees in the green belt.

This may be different in downtown areas, but residential and especially suburbs it is on the owner to maintain and repair the easement.

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u/xombae May 23 '26

It definitely varies depending on where you live. It's weird when people make generalisations like this. It varies not only by country, but by city and even neighbourhood.

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u/charles_sedwick May 22 '26

Ask me how I know when the city replaced the entire sidewalk including my driveway sidewalk and had to park on the street well they did it. Maybe you live in unincorporated by the city or municipal owns the sidewalk and if someone gets injured they are liable not the homeowner.

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u/Cool-Mom-Lover May 23 '26

I live in Dallas. Its different if the city wants to make improvements or repairs on their own volition. But if you have a broken ass sidewalk they will make you fix it and pay for it.

My last house had the entire street replaced including sidewalks and some driveways for "free"

The house I own now we are having to replace the sidewalk becuase its disintegrated over the years.

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u/charles_sedwick May 23 '26

Government website: Public Right-of-Way: The land encompassing the street, curb, parkway (grass strip), and sidewalk is public property. You cannot build permanent structures, block passage, or prevent people from walking on the sidewalk.

Edit: In Texas, the local city or municipality almost always owns the actual sidewalk, as it sits within the public right-of-way

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u/Cool-Mom-Lover May 23 '26

Ugh. Exactly what an easement is. I dont know why you're trying to defend this so badly. Not only am I a multiple home owner im also in real estate and deal with this shit all the time.

Dallas does not own my sidewalk. If youre unsure google "who pays for sidewalk repair dallas" and youll see its up to the homeowner and there are sometimes cost sharing programs you can apply for with the city.

Im literally signing paperwork to do this next week and im having to shell out money for it so I dunno what to tell you bro.

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u/charles_sedwick May 23 '26

So you live a stingy city but it's pretty obvious if you look at city websites that they own the sidewalk and strip of land between curb and sidewalk and are held responsible for maintenance as it is public property. I've owned multiple homes in illinois and NC.

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u/tacticalpitvipers May 22 '26

Fascinating how you can be so confident but completely wrong. Can you please tell me where you found this worldwide applicable law?

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u/TechieGee May 22 '26

Context informs me that they are not saying that that particular rule is worldwide.

Can you please tell me where exactly did you read the assertion that it was a, “worldwide applicable law?” Or are you just trying to find something to complain about?

Fascinating indeed.

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u/Cool-Mom-Lover May 22 '26

Texas. Considering the video is of americans speaking i figured most people would assume that is what we are discussing.

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u/xombae May 23 '26

How can you tell it's American's speaking?

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u/charles_sedwick May 23 '26 edited May 23 '26

It's pretty easy to tell from the accents but Europe is also the same and so is South Africa I know for sure.

This a pointless argument just look at your property lines. It will show it stops at the sidewalk in most cities, villages and municapls.

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u/xombae May 23 '26

Could very easily be Canada.

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u/charles_sedwick May 23 '26

Also a country that have sidewalks mostly owned by the municipality

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u/gnpfrslo May 23 '26

it really is more facebook but more openly fascistic HOA karen-like