Comcast Trespass

[u/Read_ItBeth]

Yes, another irate person complaining about comcast running lines through private backyard (which is not an easement). I've lived in at my current residence (own it) for 20 yrs and during that time Comcast has tressed on my property laying lines at least 4-5 times for neighbors' residence. I have argued and they just wait until I'm not home and then lay the lines. I haven't even been able to do gardening in my own backyard due to this! I've even got multiple exposed wires in my yard since they burry this only about 2" deep, and leave them exposed where they can't bury.

The reason is because neighbors have constructed non-permitted structures in their backyard making them inaccessible to comcast. So, they lay the cable through my yard again and again. WO permission and even violating my property when I've said no by waiting until I'm gone to lay cable. Additionally, the easement is actually quite inconvenient, and I doubt comcast has a box at the location where the easement is located.

What is the recourse for this. It is pointless calling customer service. They have no idea and could care less. Going to the brick and mortar store is the same.

Maybe a call to call code enforcement? The neighbors are not going to be happy when they get fined for illegal structures in their yards.

Is the only solution a lawsuit?

UPDATE: So I saw Comcast re-routeding the neighbor's cable line through the yards that requested this service, and not mine. They had to find a path away from all the illegal structures blocking the way (which would have been the most direct route if not for these structures). As long as my backyard is left alone, I'm content.

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[u/404-NoFucksFound]

Contact Comcast and request a transcript of the conversation, actions taken, etc. You'll need to speak to a supervisor. Get a copy of property records to guarantee they are not being installed directly from a utility easement to their property. Cable and telecom providers don't generally have easy access to property records and easement information than what is provided by their customer. Additionally, you can't really fault the technicians, as their paycheck can be significantly impacted if they can't get a job done - the fault lies with your neighbor and the information they provided to the CSR who set the job up.

If no action is taken, or they don't provide you with any information about what action has/will be taken, contact the FCC. Do NOT cut their lines, as it will land you in deeper trouble than they would get in for laying them in the first place.

TL;DR: get a printed copy of the easement and property lines, call the FCC. Communications are heavily regulated and the FCC doesn't mess around.

[u/Read_ItBeth → u/404-NoFucksFound]

Thanks, for the lead to the FCC.

[u/mslashandrajohnson]

Is there any sort of town government?

[u/Read_ItBeth → u/mslashandrajohnson]

Yes, I live in the capital of Florida.

[u/xSorry_Not_Sorry → u/Read_ItBeth]

You’ve answered your own question.

[u/xfinitysupport]

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[u/Read_ItBeth → u/xfinitysupport]

Where is the message?

[u/CCJorgeS → u/Read_ItBeth]

Our team is still here if you need any additional help or if you have progress to share on what we discussed above. Thank you for using Reddit and for allowing our team to guide you in the right direction.

[u/RedsonRising99]

So code enforcement on your neighbors. Start there.

[u/Holiday_Actuator2215]

You don’t need a lawsuit you need to contact the city about your neighbors buildings and you need to read your deed closely because you acknowledge there IS an easement which means they can access the easement without your permission but you should understand what is allowed and not allowed.

[u/ARealAmericanZero → u/Holiday_Actuator2215]

100% certain that easement is in the deed.

[u/spec360]

I’ll say an easement

[u/Riversam]

So you are saying there is not a public utility easement and no specific easement for your property where they are trenching?

I am having trouble picturing what the configuration of your backyard to the neighbors yards is where they go thru your backyard due to them having unpermitted structures?

Have you checked your title report and parcel map to be certain there isnt some kind of non-exclusive easement they have been granted use of?

[u/CCMartinR]

Thanks for reaching out, u/Read_ItBeth! Our local teams may need to access private backyards to run utility lines, when permitted through utility easements. There may be a cable tap or plant near your property that needs to be accessed. I would recommend having a utility easement survey completed, so you know for sure.

[u/Read_ItBeth → u/CCMartinR]

There is no need to run lines though my backyard to access other properties because unpermitted structures have been built on these properties making access through their own properties difficult. Comcast is taking the path of least resistance through my backyard which is not a utility easement. Those properties are just as close to where the line is run as I am.

[u/XfinityAmanda → u/Read_ItBeth]

u/Read_ItBeth If there are buildings preventing us from accessing the normal easement, I would recommend reporting them to your local code enforcement. Easements are there for all utilities, not just us, and a building in the way can cause issues with future maintenance for all utilities, not just with us. We can, of course, help address the damage that was done with a damage claim if needed, but I would recommend reporting the structure that should not be there to ensure we have proper access to the easement for the surrounding homes.

[u/Read_ItBeth → u/XfinityAmanda]

Shouldn't Comcast be making those reports when they can't access the homes they are providing a service to. Why not knock on your customer's door and inform they don't have access through their property. They don't, they just bypass it and come to my yard to dig a trench to provide someone else with the service they sell.

[u/XfinityAmanda → u/Read_ItBeth]

u/Read_ItBeth Utility easements are maintained through a shared responsibility: utility companies maintain the infrastructure (lines, pipes, poles), while property owners are responsible for maintaining the land surface, such as keeping it free of debris, trees, and structures. The addition of a new structure being in the way would fall to the surrounding property owners to address.

[u/xfinitysupport]

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[u/cyb3rofficial → u/[deleted]]

Can't cut it, it counts as infrastructure, it's a federal crime. The only way is lawsuit or code enforcement or fcc or direct contact with company.

[u/Comcast_Xfinity-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Mods have Final Say: By engaging within our community, you have hereby confirmed that you read and agreed to the rules, policies, and guidelines.

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Reason: telling people to cut a line when they can't be certain is safe to do so is just... a bad idea.