[ambrosis]

Hi all. If anyone out there has been aching for closure, here you go:

The legal advice I sought had a great belly laugh after reading the letters and hearing my story. Although I did receive a fourth and final letter from my neighbour, cranking her required expenses up to an even $1100 and again threatening legal action, I decided to let the neighbour take the initiative and let things be. We received some dirty looks for a few weeks but no further letters.

 

After a while the neighbour started returning our friendly hellos as we passed in the hall and it seems they have since buried, or at least misplaced the hatchet.

They have since sold their unit and are moving out later this month.

 

And so ends the crazy neighbour varnish saga!

 

[ambrosis]

@excathedra said:
Sounds like a sad waste of a good red!  You are more deserving of it now.

More seriously, have you been able to compare notes with your other neighbours?  There may be quite a trail of vexatious complaints from this person.

 

I did discuss it with our strata chairman and he agreed with your opinions here, but felt it would all blow over. I haven’t wanted to get other owners involved. Our neighbour seems to have good relationships with several of our other neighbours (and has made a point of discussing the situation to some of them loudly, outside my door). I have been getting along well with everyone else and I don’t want to put anyone in the position where they feel they have to take sides. 

 

JimmyT said 

A brusque note telling them to either put or shut up or you will refer this to the police might have the desire effect.  Or, just for a laugh, you could threaten to sue for accepting a bottle of red under false pretenses.

Both options with merits! However, I will be contacting the CJC to ask for mediation when they reopen in 2013. Otherwise, if it does get to the CTTT, it could make for an entertaining afternoon.

[Author]

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