A contractor working at a high-tech manufacturing facility learned the hard way that not everyone has a sense of humor about their job, which was the case when he met the security guard at his new worksite. And when he was asked to show the security guard the last five photos on his phone, he assured that he would never be annoyed with that request again.
A Job at a High-Tech Facility
Two contractors who were doing a job for a company that manufactures high-end electronic components were happy that their job was paying them well, until they met the security guard on the site who annoyed them every chance he could get.
A Security Guard With An Ax to Grind
Their team was installing equipment in the facility for only a week, so there wasn’t much time to get acquainted with the staff at the building before they moved onto their next job. Sadly, this meant being unnecessarily provoked by Chad, a security guard with an ax to grind with one of these contractors.
Strict Safety Protocols Were Enforced
One day, Steve and Mike were entering the building and, because of safety protocols, they had to empty the entire contents of their pockets to be seen before being granted access into the building. Even though they went through this routine every time they entered the building, Chad was noticeably suspicious of the pair more so than he was of other contractors doing the very same job.
A Small Box Could Hold $1 Million in Company Secrets
The security guard also made Steve and Mike show him the last five images on their phones, to make sure that neither of them were stealing company secrets while working at the high-tech manufacturing facility, because even smuggling out a 4” x 6” box could contain as much as $250,000 worth of microchips.
But, You'll Have to Get Through Paul Blart
Every day the pair obliged with the security guard, until they noticed a weird pattern in the security guard's behaviors. When they noticed that Chad didn’t make other contractors empty their pockets before entering the site, they started ribbing him by saying things like, “thanks for keeping America safe, Paul Blart.”
A Plan Was Hatched
One day the duo went out for lunch, as they usually did, and Steve told his friends that he had a plan to stop Chad from continuing to pester him everyday. Mike couldn’t imagine what Steve could possibly do to the security guard at a high-tech facility that wouldn’t get him fired, or worse, arrested, but knowing that Steve was a jokester, he let it slide.
He Took His Secrets to the John
After lunch, Steve was scrutinized as usual on his way back into the building, so before entering, he happily stated that he had to go to the bathroom. Mike was confused about why Steve was so happy to use the restroom, but he went ahead without him anyway, returning to work without his partner in crime.
The Guard Let Everyone Else Pass
After Steve had left, the security guard didn’t pester Mike about emptying his pockets and bag before he entered the building, proving that his suspicions were just with Steve. Luckily, Steve had an idea that would enact revenge on the security guard for his misplaced skepticism.
"Don't You Trust Me?"
After Steve returned from the bathroom, Chad the security guard, as usual, asked him to empty his pockets and show him the last five images on his phone. Steve decided to have some fun with the security guard then, asking him “Why? Don’t you trust me?”
I'm Just Doing My Job
Chad replied that it was just his job to check phones and belongings, even though Steve knew that he had let others pass without checking their phones before. So, Steve happily obliged by taking out his phone and opening his camera roll. But, after he did so, Chad would never ask him to do that again.
Terrifying Things in His Camera Roll
Steve handed Chad his phone, with his camera roll open to his most recent five pictures and Chad’s eyes went wide. Chad then threw the phone on the table, exclaiming “What the heck am I looking at?!” as Steve buckled over with laughter.
I'm Going to Send the Photos to My Proctologist
Picking back up his phone, Steve replied, “Hey man, I’m sorry but I thought I had a hemorrhoid and I wanted to see how bad it was. Is everything okay with my pictures? Is the facility safe?” And at that point, Chad was absolutely seething with rage, having been bested by someone he had suspected to be stealing from the company he was working for.
He'll Never Get That Image Out of His Mind
After that disgusting experience, Chad thought twice about unnecessarily checking his fellow employees without due concern. And that’s not the only time that some one who was maliciously compliant got the revenge they deserved…
Revenge on a Greedy Landlord
When Fred was searching for an apartment, he did his due diligence and found a place within his price range, but he didn’t expect his landlord to not stick to their end of the deal. After he realized his landlord’s true motives, Fred was able to use a cunning plan to avoid court and get what he was due from his greedy landlord.
Changing the Lease to Month-to-Month
Fred was searching for a house to live in after years of renting apartments, so he talked his landlord into changing his lease to a month-to-month contract instead of a longer term commitment. He and his landlord agreed on a higher monthly rent to compensate for the lack of security, and Fred signed a contract to make this new agreement legal. But, maybe he should have taken photos of his contract while it was still in his hands.
He Agreed to Pay More
Along with the higher rent, Fred and his landlord agreed to remove a section from their previous agreement requiring 90 days notification before Fred moved out, because he would soon be finding out on short notice when he would be able to move into a new place. But, Fred should have made sure that his landlord was in the same room as him when he agreed to this.
Can You Come Back For the Copies?
Fred signed the contract in the office below his apartment, but his landlord wasn’t present for the signing, so one of his employees handled it. After signing, Fred asked for a copy of the contract for his records, so the employee turned on the copier. Only, there was an error symbol on the machine, so the employee asked Fred if he could come back later to pick up his copy. He naively agreed, and went back up to his apartment.
Always Double Check Your Work
After about 30 minutes, Fred got a text to pick up his copy of the contract. Not thinking twice about it, he didn’t double check the information on the papers he was handed to make sure it was the same contract he had originally signed off on, but after dealing with his landlord for a few years, he didn’t expect him to change their agreement behind his back.
A Legally Binding Agreement
For the next few months, Fred paid his rent monthly at the higher rate without hearing from his landlord. Finally, he found the right place to transition to and found out that he would be able to move in after four weeks. So, he immediately notified his landlord that he would be leaving on that date. But, his landlord’s reply made Fred absolutely furious about the whole situation.
Take Another Look At That Contract
Fred’s landlord replied that it was nice that Fred had found a new home, but he would still be responsible for the next two months of rent due to the 90 day moving notification requirement in the contract he signed. Fred thought back to the day he discussed his new requests with his landlord and, knowing that they had agreed to take that part out of their agreement, looked back at the contract he was handed by his landlord’s employee.
Something Was Added Without His Knowledge
Sure enough, there was a sentence about a 90 day moving notification requirement in the contract Fred had, but he also noticed another detail that was in his favor. His signatures on the top and bottom of each page, verifying that he had read the document, had mysteriously moved to the middle of each page, as if the document he had signed was edited to add extra text to the contract. Knowing this, Fred realized that his landlord had tricked him and he wasn’t about to get away with it.
A Formatting Error Made Everything Clear
Fred informed his landlord of the formatting error that was a dead giveaway for his malicious edits to the contract, but he insisted that the contract was still legally binding and there was nothing that Fred could do about it. Not wanting to get a lawyer involved, Fred attempted to solve things on his own terms.
I'll See You to Court!
Fred’s landlord persisted that he would take the case to court if Fred didn’t pay his rent in full and he would withhold any security deposits until the matter was resolved. Fred knew that his case would hold up in court if anyone took a close look at the documents. But, he also knew that there was one thing that his landlord hadn’t thought about: Fred’s utilities.
Utilities Spike
Fred’s rent payments covered a flat fee for utilities in his apartment, which was unchanged from month to month because the separate apartments in the building ran on one meter. So, Fred’s plan for revenge was simple. He told his landlord that as long as he wanted to persist with his demands, Fred would be inclined to leave all of his windows open, crank up the heater, open his refrigerator door and run all faucets 24/7. And, he would give his landlord a good reason not to ask him to knock it off.
Nevermind, Here's Your Security Deposit
Fred also told his landlord that if he attempted to enter his apartment without Fred’s permission, he would be reported to the police for trespassing. And immediately, Fred received a reply getting confirmation that his landlord would not pursue the extra month’s rent or security deposit, proving that revenge can be sweet!
Neighborly Dispute
A while back, Bonnie and her parents moved into a community with little space between houses. While most aspects of the space outside your home isn’t under the homeowner’s control, what falls onto their property is up for negotiation, for the most part. That is, unless the neighbors have something to say about it.
A Lack of Privacy
Bonnie and her parents wanted security in their home, and the one thing that bothered her parents most was the fact that their neighbors could see directly into their kitchen window. So, they set out to accomplish a simple fix for the problem, planting some hedges that would act as a border between the family’s window and their neighbors yard. But, their neighbors weren’t so happy about that.
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors
The plants that Bonnie’s parents put up ultimately cost them thousands of dollars, because of installation and maintenance costs. But, that was worth it to have some privacy. And the hedges should have only been a one time expense, or so they thought before their neighbor spoke up about his thoughts on the matter.
A Rustle in the Night
A week after the hedges were put in, Bonnie’s parents awoke in the middle of the night to a rustling sound in the hedges. When they went to investigate the sound, they found their neighbor chopping down the hedges they had just paid for. So much for ‘good fences make good neighbors!’
The Hedges Were Gone, But the Fight Had Just Begun
Of course, Bonnie’s father was furious at his neighbor for carelessly damaging his property, so he demanded an explanation from his neighbor. And his neighbor, Mark, supplied one. He said that the plants were on his property line, so he could do whatever he wanted to do with them. And, he issued the family a warning.
The Deed Was Done, But He'd Do it Again
After destroying the family’s hedges, Mark also let them know that if any other objects, plants or people were to go on his property again, he would report them to the authorities immediately. Although, Bonnie’s family thought that they should be the ones reporting their neighbor for destroying their property.
The Hedges Were Back— And Taller than Before
Later the day of the argument, Bonnie’s father contacted the company who had planted the hedges and was informed that with their warranty, they could have the hedges replanted next week for no extra change. So, the family made sure that the hedges were on their property line entirely, but that wasn’t the last time they heard from their neighbor, Mark.
Midnight Gardener Strikes Again
A few days after the hedges were planted for a second time, Bonnie’s family was once again awoken by Mark chopping the hedges down in the middle of the night! So, Bonnie’s family called the police and reported obstruction of property, but they still had to set the debate surrounding the property line.
A Second Opinion
After the police were called, Mark and Bonnie’s father decided that they needed to call a professional to mark the property line that separated the two houses once and for all. After both parties agreed, they awaited the news diligently, with both parties hoping they were in the right.
The Property Line Fell on His Yard
A few days later, Bonnie returned home to find orange tape all over her neighbor’s yard. Apparently, what he thought was the property line couldn’t have been farther from the truth! In reality, his own fence was 11 feet over Bonnie’s family’s property line, meaning that he was the one who would have to do some renovations.
The Fence Was Torn Down
Bonnie’s family watched happily from their kitchen window as Mark took down his fence, completely furious. This change gave her family a bigger yard, more comfort and security in their home, and a complete feeling of satisfaction. And their neighbor didn’t just lose a few feet off of his property…
Their Neighbor Payed Heavily For His Mistakes
For the time Bonnie’s family lived in that home, they enjoyed their new yard and their neighbor ended up losing about a quarter of his yard space. He also ended up paying Bonnie’s family almost $10,000 for destruction of personal property, which was thankfully replanted again once the situation was handled.
Love Thy Neighbor
Bonnie’s family aren’t the only ones to dispute with their neighbors regarding property lines. When Claire’s neighbors started a renovation project without consulting the city or their neighbors first, the outcome didn’t end up in their favor when their neighbors started to notice their missteps and lack of knowledge about home owning.
Settle Something for Me
In the end, Claire’s dispute with her neighbors could have been avoided if her neighbors had told her about their plans to renovate their home. But, from the moment they moved in, things seemed off about the way they communicated with Claire and her family.
Keep to Yourself!
When a new neighbor moved in next door, Claire didn’t think much about it. As long as they kept to themselves, Claire was a happy camper. And, for the most part things were civil until her neighbors started a renovation project that ended up changing how Claire thought about her neighbors for years to come.
Renovations Got Noisy
When Claire’s neighbors started their renovations, they almost immediately came to complain to her about her fence. Her neighbors claimed that Claire’s fence fell on her neighbor’s property, but she didn’t believe this to be the case, so she demanded a second opinion.
A Dispute Over Fences
Claire’s neighbors claimed that her fence fell on their property line and that her new stone walkway leading to her backdoor needed to be dug up and removed along with the fence. Not being one to cause more discomfort, Claire tried to reason with her neighbors, but to no avail.
The Property Lines Were Always Crooked
Claire knew that the property lines in town were crooked and that disputing them might be more trouble than it was worth. After all, things had stayed the same on their property for over 30 years without any issues. But, her neighbors didn’t see it that way.
So, They Called the City
Claire’s neighbors insisted on removing her walkway, so she ultimately felt that she had to call the city and request an evaluation of the property lines. But, she didn’t expect what the outcome of doing that would be or the ramifications it would have on her relationships with all of her neighbors beside her.
The Official Boundaries Were Marked
After calling the city to evaluate the property lines, someone came out to mark the official boundaries of Claire’s neighbor’s property and it stunned everyone in the neighborhood. It turned out that not only was Claire’s fence on her own land, but her neighbor’s newly built fence was on her property as well!
Other Neighbors Came to See For Themselves
When the city marked Claire’s neighbor’s property lines, she wasn’t the only one who found out some good news about the land dispute. Claire’s neighbors had also built their back fence on their south facing neighbor’s property! So, Claire set out to make sure every house that bordered her intrusive neighbor knew about what had happened.
Their Backyard Was Cut in Half
In the end, Claire’s neighbors were left with only about half of the backyard that they started out with, after they demanded that the city check their property lines. Their renovation didn’t end up looking quite as nice as they’d hoped it would be when they planned to conquer Claire’s backyard.
Communication is Key
The lesson of this story just may be, always try to negotiate peacefully with your neighbors before things escalate out of hand. You might just save yourself a lot of trouble for doing so! And do your due diligence when settling property disputes with your neighbors. Instead of arguing, check the facts immediately.
Moral of the Story: Always Survey Your Land
If you own property, it’s also in your best interest to have it surveyed as soon as you can at least once. Adverse possession, or the occupation of land that another person owns with the intention of possessing it as your own, happens to a lot of people and you could lose land that is being used, even if it’s yours.
And Watch Out for Squatters
Adverse possession is also known as “squatter’s rights,” which can get tricky legally if the owner of the property doesn’t exercise their right to evict the squatting person from their property in a reasonable amount of time. This is why communication is always key when it comes to land disputes.