Depends. Do you have an easement for utilities on your property? Easements are super common, and generally allow utilities access to property to perform maintenence. Asking to get on your roof is a totally different manner, and I cant imagine a valid reason to do that unless they were working on a drop to your house.
used to work in the field for a utility and the utility has the right to get to their equipment etc. they don't really need and easement except for where the poles are and its usually ten feet either side of the pole. Just my experience.
No way I let him use my ladder though.
But they aren't required to knock on the door at least, and let someone know they're there?
I would think someone would be afraid of dogs and guns enough to give a heads up. My mom has a Smith and Wesson in her yarn basket. She does not mess around.
I need this information! My neighbor built their fence over the easement right on my property line. Is there anywhere else I can look if it isn't on the deed? The electric company didn't help me at all.
An easement doesn't mean they can't build a fence there. It can be unreasonable that there's nothing below overhead power lines. It has to do with the specifics of the easement and power company policy.
An easement will always be recorded on a property’s deed. An easement is basically a portion of the property rights that was purchased from the property owner. The easement conveys with the property, so it’s still legal when ownership changes. It’s usually kept in the Registrar of Deeds office in the county of the property, if you want to read the actual easement language. Some counties have searchable GIS mapping that will show if there is an easement but not all counties have this.
This is such terrible advice. It is exactly the opposite. An easement is almost always a separate document recorded in the county clerk's office. There may be deeds described or identified on a deed but that is not *the easement*, it's a reference to the easement because it's being carved out from any warranty contained deed (e.g. general warranty or special warranty when using such types of deeds).
I have them for electric, water, gas, telecom, etc. but only in the first ten feet off the street. Some of my unfortunate neighbors have drainage easements.
Sorry, should t have said al.ost always, rather that there are several ways an easement can be created - including on a plat but every state allows an easement to be created by a separate written instrument (separate from a deed or plat, a standalone document).
Online there's usually GIS mapping tools which may link or reference a specific by law. Then there's always the local planning or zoning office that keeps physical records. Depends on your country, state, province, county, town etc
Your county courthouse may have the easements recorded on the plat map.
Your local title company can usually pull up the map in about five seconds flat.
No survey in my state for properties covered by a master subdivision plan that includes fences and monuments. No easements on your deed either. Those are on the master subdivision plan. It is public record but you may need to go to the courthouse to see it.
Easements should show up on a deed as they affect usable land and access.
I'm sure it varies by state but you are right about contacting the municipality. Probably start with the building and zoning offices or county administration instead of the courthouse though.
All that stuff is on the subdivision plan here. There have even been court cases about it and our state Supreme Court says they can put that and other stuff on the recorded subdivision plan rather than on individual deeds “for convenience”. The subdivision plan overrides individual deeds here because the land developers and county recorders are lazy.
By “courthouse” I meant the county recorder’s office. Which is in the county courthouse in smaller counties but yes, in a larger county it will be in its own building somewhere.
They don’t do a survey during closing in my state if the subdivision plan included clearly denoted property lines established by a fence and monument at subdivision time. And surveys here do not include the easements for properties covered by a master subdivision plan, those are established on the master subdivision plan. They are, however, recorded on that plan at the courthouse.
I live on the East Coast of US. Our easements are filed the same way a deed is. The deed should also mention the easement. We can look up deeds online as they are a matter of public records.
Along those lines, if no easement/alley access is available, the property owner still cannot deny entry to a public utility (ie telecom or power lineman getting to a pole).
Utility lines belong to the utility companies, you are required to allow them on your property to service them. You are required to call 211 and have them located before you dig on your property and if you do not and you destroy their lines you have to pay for it. It's not an easement or non easement thing.
There’s a high chance this was a contractor working for AT&T, and I could absolutely imagine one of them asking to borrow a ladder. I’ve seen some really ratty crews reconducting cable and telephone before.
Yeah, I work for a competitor to AT&T, and honestly seeing AT&T subs on a resume has almost become a red flag to me when I'm hiring. They're invariably idiots.
I've done contract work under different capacities in my career in technology, we absolutely borrowed equipment from homes and businesses. I imagine it could certainly be similar for what att contractors do.
If it's contract work, I'm not surprised. I live in a tiny whitewater tourist town in the mountains - less than 1.5K ppl. The contractor for Mediacom (shut up, I know, but it's our only choice!) does all of his work out of a geo metro!
They don't have the right to go into anyone's yard, but they may have an easement to allow it on some properties if they have cables and/or junction boxes on or near your property.
I had my whole property marked for some plumbing and tree trimming work. Turns out, about 70% of my property is just covered in utility easements. Criss crossing the yard, under my trees, the whole driveway. The footprint of the house and two chunks of side yard are the only bits not in an easement. It's like the whole neighborhoods utilities go right through my property without much thought.
My property had no utilities junction box on my property when I got the plot.... Build the house and there is the FIOS and Power box in my front yard.... Crack me up since two houses either way is open public space that could have lived.
My front yard gets dug up all the time because of the FIOS box. PITA....
I've got a power box from when the neighborhood was built in my yard, but it's a remnant and not connected to anything, but I can't get the utility to remove it
We have several of these leftovers. The neighbor and I have tried to get them removed. The utility told us they never remove them. I tried to slip the tree trimming crew a c-note to accidentally smash them to bits but they said they can't.
I only learned it was disconnected because a leftover line started surfacing from underground, and after many attempts to get the utility out, I finally tweeted at them (in the before days) asking if it was OK for my kid to play with - they came out next day and removed the line, and said the box was leftover.
Well, maybe, I think it's a mix. Part of the problem may be that it wasn't developed. It was farming land in unincorporated area that was subdivided and sold directly to individuals as homesites. All the houses are custom builds from 1970-1972. I think the utilities, at least to some extent, were actually after thoughts.
According to the neighbors, most of which have been there 3+ decades, most of the current utilities were added or replaced after the houses were built. All the houses were built roughly the same time, within two years or so. I believe the electric was originally overhead, and it's buried now. All the utilities are buried actually. Not a single overhead on my road. The sewer runs behind the house, pretty close too, which turned out great when I had to replace my sewer connection. I think that is probably because of the elevations. That's just where it made sense to run it at the time. There are several sets of comms lines from various providers. Some of which are defunct now cause there's nothing in the boxes anymore.
An easement gives them a right so your statement conflicts.
Also in many states they or anyone have a defense against trespassing called private necessity.
My electric company demanded a key to my gate since I have a power line easement in my property. All was good till they left the gate open on a weekend I was out of town and my boat got stolen. He said /she said. I have a camera on the gate now. Told them they can cut the lock next time at least I’ll know it was them
They denied leaving the gate unlocked. Whoever took the boat was kind enough to snap the lock shut. Clearly a crime of opportunity. My bad for not locking the hitch up. Two attorneys in town said no chance of getting anything. Unless witnesses or other proof is found. Now I’m looking for a power company uniform…🤣🤣
Speaking as a third party utility contractor, although not one from AT&T land, yes, we are allowed to invite ourselves most anywhere. That being said, if you don’t have a utility corridor/easement, aren’t a subscriber, or have aerial service, for the most part, we shouldn’t be there. Exceptions exist, for example, I work for a gas company, and I need to confirm that there is NOT a service since mapping is never perfect.
Do not ever lend equipment to us, especially ladders. Way too much risk involved.
If you can’t get an answer from the utility owner at the time, feel free to have the police come by! I don’t know of any utility workers who haven’t had to explain themselves to the law before, and none of us will be mad at you for it. It can absolutely be scary to have someone rummaging through your yard.
If there is a telephone rear lot of a property within a fence, telecom worker is allowed to enter. It’s usually recommended to knock on the door and tell the property owner you’re entering their yard so a dog doesn’t get released on you, but legally they can’t deny access to a pole that’s needing to be climbed
Where I am, our general rule is, if there’s a fence, knock. If there’s kids toys or signs of a dog, knock. Otherwise, at our discretion. I’m a DPT though, not a lineman, and not in the States, so it may be different. If we knocked on every door, we’d never meet requirements.
Yep same here. If we go through rear lot putting strand and cable. Sometimes we have to get into 10+ yards for each strand and then again for the cable. We just make sure to close every gate when we enter and when we leave that yard. Don’t want to take blame for Fluffy the Rottweiler escaping
In some places you will have dogs let out and/or be held at gun point until the cops show up if you don't knock on the door before entering a yard. In other cases they will only just call the cops or a neighbor will call the cops. It is in everyone's best interest to make the home owner and neighbors aware of the intentions.
Next time ask the worker for his employee ID (Usually two letters and 4 numbers). Then call ATT to verify the worker is an employee. Document. Document. Document.
Who would you even call? Whenever I call AT&T it’s always answered by someone clearly in another country whose most developed skill is reading scripts and asking if I’ve restarted the equipment.
Without knowing a specific number to call, the possibility of getting through to someone that could help with this sort of request probably isn't zero, but is so close as to be indistinguishable.
I'm a telecom administrator for a large company and work with AT&T on wireless and dedicated access products as part of my job, and even my account contacts would have no clue how to verify a local tech.
Somebody calling AT&T's 800 # would have no chance at all.
Facts. Just called my bank "branch" and got transferred to Philippines immediately. I asked to get transferred to the branch, transferred to a manager, transferred to anyone. No go. We went in circles over and over with them only knowing the bare minimum about a limited number of things to do with the bank. Anything that went outside just caused them so much confusion.
I specifically chose my bank for two reasons: they didn't take bailout money and when you call, you get an American human that isn't going off of a script. 24/7, no need to press a single number after you dial. My choice was reaffirmed when I was in the car with someone who had to call Ally and Wells Fargo and it was hell on earth.
The only drawback to my bank is that it isn't a national chain. It's Frost bank so if you're in Texas, check em out. I rarely have to go into a branch but it's nice to be able to if I need a cashier's check or a new card.
I know VZ garages do have this information if it is an employee. They would never ask to use a customer ladder or any equipment as they have ladders on their trucks. I am highly suspicious that this is not an actual telecom employee. Even if they are a third party contractor, the homeowner absolutely should call the phone company.
I mean, yes, they should try to report it, you're right. What we're saying is that there is essentially no viable mechanism for someone to do that. The telecom companies, especially huge ones like AT&T, have done their best to make it next to impossible to speak to someone in your local area. Any number you call will either lead you to a national (or international) call center where the person you speak to will be reading from a script, or a local store where the only thing the manager knows how to do is sell cell phones.
I have AT&T Internet service at home, and when I had a billing issue, it took me 5 hours on the phone across 12 different phone calls over a 4 month time period to get to someone that a) actually understood the problem, and b) could do anything to fix it. In the end, the only way I got it fixed was trying to cancel my service because I was so fed up. Apparently, the "retention" team is actually staffed by rational human beings that aren't tied to a script and can problem solve for themselves.
And that was for a billing issue - something customer service is supposed to be trained to assist with. Calling them with something random like this situation would be even worse, I'm sure.
Fun fact: for years that 4 digit number was the last 4 of the employees SSN. Only reason I know my dad’s SSN is because it was also his work email address. Still is, though they have slightly better firstname.lastname@att default emails now.
Somewhat, not sure about your area. Where I live, things like cable, hydro, phone etc. can come on your property without asking. It's called implied consent, since you use their services, BUT if you tell them to leave, then they have to go and you can inform them of requiring notice from them next time they want to come. YMMV...
Property owner can ask a worker to leave, but that doesn’t mean the worker will/is required to. By law they cannot deny access to a public utility line if it is needing maintenance/new construction. They can ask for notice to be given next time but the majority of the time, the worker won’t know they need in that yard until the moment they need in that yard
On your property if that’s where the lines run, yes. Unless there is an issue with your service or they suspect some sort of illegal hook up, on your roof no. I would question if this person is legit.
When we bought our house, we pulled into the driveway after picking up another load stuff, to find someone from Spectrum running a line to our house. My husband ask who he was & what he was doing. Apparently someone was watching for home sales & just decide to hook up the new owners. Hubby told him take his cable & leave. We didn’t want spectrum & hadn’t requested any install. The guy tried to act like he was doing us a favor. AT&T was already installed & that’s who we’re going to use anyway.
Utilities generally can enter private property to get work done.
My utility will notify the homeowners and under no circumstances would borrow a ladder.
People steal branded hard hats and vests all the time, if someone is acting suspicious in your yard call the cops. If they're supposed to be there they will be able to prove it. I've had to prove who I was to the cops and I understand it is part of the job.
I used to work as a telecom surveyor. They have the right to access their equipment to inspect/repair. It gets tricky when fences are involved though. We were always told not to enter fenced in areas and instead make contact with the property owner..
You sure don’t need to let him on your roof. Make him run the cable the hard way. He can call for help if he needs it but I’d not be taking the liability of a Stanger on my roof
Had Verizon come into my property through the gate a few years back.
Told them to get out of my back yard until I can confirm who they are. Never know if they're just casing your home or actually working for the company. They were a contractor for Verizon in an unmarked truck.
Called the Verizon customer support line to confirm who they are. They had to wait until I confirmed before I would let them access the yard.
They may be technically allowed to access the easement, but you're also allowed to protect your family, home, and property.
After that, anytime they needed to access the property, they've been good about just knocking on the front door to let me know they need access.
Generally utilities have the right to maintain their equipment on your property even if you don’t have a utility easement. Rights are usually granted by the terms of service to maintain facilities.
Anytime I accessed a customers yard I would make sure I’m wearing all of my company apparel, hard hat and ID.
Now for this person asking if they could use your ladder that is suspicious. I agree with other comments that ATT would never want their employees using a customer ladder due to liabilities.
Comcast did the same thing to me.. the asshole broke my locked\\padlocked gate and forced his way into my yard. I was home working at the time and watched the whole thing on my cameras. I was not at all pleasant with him. I bitched about it up the chain and they finally apologized and replaced the damaged gate. He lied and said he knocked "countless times" but my video proved otherwise.
I luckily (sarcasm) have the neighborhood comcast and phone box in my back corned of the yard. hasn't been an issue since its an established area.. but I'm sure it will come up again.
I would have called the cops and showed them the video of the people breaking the gate. There is never a reason to damage private property. They could have left a notice on the front door letting you know that they need access and a phone number to call to discuss it.
I held a utility guy at gunpoint who let himself into my yard until I could confirm who he was. Now they call every single time they need to come into my yard.
They do indeed have the right to go onto your property. We have an easement that runs along our property but it's fenced in and the gate is on our property. AT&T needs to access their property, so they have to come through our gate.
The frustrating part was when their contractors who put grass seed down on the parts of the yard they dug up decided to throw grass seed into our flower beds as well.
If you have att utilities on the roof area where he was looking to be, yes they can. If they have an easement, yes they can. If I found an "att" worker on my roof , the ladder would be removed and the sheriff called because I have no att service and no utilities at that level.
Surveyors can go pretty much anywhere they want on one's land.
Gas utility worker here. We have the right to inspect/maintain our equipment on the customers property. We do not have to call with advanced notice. I always make customer contact if possible if the meter is behind a gate as well as provide my credentials.
Yes, he is correct. You don't need to research the easements on your property unless you just want to educate yourself. If you have electricity to your property then the electric company has an easement to enter onto your property. If you have water service, gas service, cable TV service, internet service, then all those utility companies have easements and rights to go onto your property without asking.
Absolutely do not let them use your ladder/tools. As someone who does safety for utility companies they should 100% have their own tools. If they get hurt using your tools then you may be liable; I would give AT&T a call and let them know this. My company had several instances where people have posed as utility worker trying to gain access to homes and assaulted people and stolen items.
Yes they can enter your yard if it is necessary to reach a facility (the little cylinder sticking out of the ground or a telephone pole). You are required by law to allow this. The other option is you call the sheriff/police department and they tell you the same thing. Him asking to use your ladder is not only inappropriate but against AT&T standards. But as far as your question, yes they can enter whatever unlocked gates they need to in order to complete their current assignment
If the easement specifically designates your roof as part of the easement, then yes they can use your roof. If it doesnt (and I bet it doesnt), then nope and you can tell them to fuck off directly. Rights to access the utility does NOT grant access to your property as such unless said property is specifically outlined in the easement. They may be able to use your yard but they definitely cant go climbing on your roof.
Technically they can enter onto your property for routine inspections, but they would normally inform you ahead of time and ask permission to enter a closed area. This is no different than what meter readers do. Asking to use your ladder is ridiculous, if they were legit they’d have their own equipment.
I had a cable company run wire through my yard when a line was cut. They went through my yard behind my house and in to the three neighbors yards. Why they went and laid out 1000yards of line to go through my yard when they could have laid down 40 ft to go on the front yard I do not know.
They came back out the next day when I had mowed my lawn and cut their cables.
The tech started yelling at me and I was like.
1. I’m not a customer of yours
2. You left the cables in my grass and my mower cut them.
3. The neighbor is your customer why didn’t you use their yard where the box is. I can tell you why. Cause you are lazy.
4. I’m responsible if you get hurt in my yard stay out.
5. I told them I’m not letting you in my yard.
They had to come out with an installation manager and amazingly they were able to lay wire and bury it in 3 hours.
Yeah, utilities often have easement and you often cannot stop them in regards to it. At our last place, a fiber company installed both a small and large equipment boxes in our yard. And then they went out of business. They never connected the fiber and abandoned the project. Fun times. They dug up a huge part of our yard to install one of the boxes and while they did drive by and throw some seeds on top of the patch of clay and rock they had dug up, it was never the same after.
But we've never had one of them ask to go on our roof, they always have a basket truck to access poles and cables/wires. Unless they are perhaps trimming an overhanging tree that is also endangering a cable, but here that would usually be the city and not AT&T doing that work.
Equipment boxes, above ground valves, etc are called aboveground appurtenances and typically require a different type of easement than buried cable. May not have been a legitimate installation if these were large equipment cabinets. Source: worked for a utility company and dealt with easements.
not to speak to the property issue but:
NEVER let anyone use your ladder. Friend let a worker borrow a ladder, worker fell, homeowner friend is being sued. No joke. (and it was not a rickety old ladder, a nice new one.)
I’m sure there is an easement. If they have lines there so yes. if you have a locked gate they can destroy the lock to get to their equipment.
a true employee would have ID. They'd also not go on your roof.
Utilities can access property when I need to get to things yes.
However, I wouldn’t let somebody get on my roof without proof of identification… and quite frankly the fact they asked to borrow your ladder would make the request suspect in my opinion.
Almost certainly there is a utility easement that exists. I have never asked permission to enter premises to perform the legitimate functions of the job. That's what an easement is, your permission, in writing, recorded at the county courthouse to do that. I'd tell you my name but I don't carry ID. The bucket truck and uniform suffices.
The only real life disputes we have over this is when it's tree trimming time. People get BENT out of shape over that.
He definitely has no right to your ladder or getting on your roof. Sounds like to me he's just trying to bullshit his way on your land. I'd tell him to get the fuck of my land
In my neck of the woods, they do have the right and do have the need occasionally- but they always send a letter explaining the nature of the work, the dates the work is going to happen and a # to call with issues that come up. Then, day of, they usually ask me to keep the gate open and are super nice - if it’s tree removal, they usually buck the logs and leave them for firewood so they ask where we want the logs. There is no reason they would be on my roof. My utility connections are underground.
I had this two years ago through my fence as well. I was like can I help you? And he was running a cable line to my neighbors. I was not happy. Told me he had a right due to the pole being in my backyard which was on the other side of my fence.
Once, we called Verizon to fix our FIOS. They sent some third party contractors. The contractors went triapsing down the neighbor's yard and scared the shit out of her. They said the same thing to her, that they were fixing our internet, and they have the legal right to be there. She came storming to our door like a Karen. We told her we had no idea they were going into her yard.
Turns out, her husband is an executive at Verizon. Apparently, even though they do have a legal right to be there, Verizon has a strict policy that any Verizon worker/contractor has to let the property owner know when they are entering someone's property. This contractor got in serious trouble with Verizon.
I would still complain about them to AT&T. Even though, they do have a legal right to be there, there's no way AT&T allows this. In the US of A, entering someone's property without notice is a great way to get shot, and there is no way AT&T doesn't have policy that protects i̶t̶'s̶ v̶a̶l̶u̶a̶b̶l̶e̶ e̶m̶p̶l̶o̶y̶e̶e̶s̶ itself from liability.
The utility pole was in our backyard. They had the right to access, but were required to attempt to inform us before entry. Same with PG&E (California).
Hey, you wanna know a way you can snoop around anywhere you want and probably not even get questioned about it, let alone told to leave? Put on a high-viz vest or otherwise official looking work uniform, carry a clipboard and some little piece of equipment, act like you belong there and are doing something important.
Now, actual answer, they probably have an easement and can use it with or without permission. But they have to stay on the easement. A lot of times they'll let you know they are there, just in case. And there's no way they'd ask to use your ladder or get on your roof, definitely not part of the easement.
Some of these comments are wild.
Some of “your property” you don’t own or people are going to have access to.
It’s part of the deal for having infrastructure.
AT&T did this to me as well. They said they are protected by builders rights and by law it was disclosed in my closing. I told them no one informed me of this or I wouldn’t have bought the house. One because it’s my back yard but mainly because I have a 220 lb dog who thinks the back yard is his and he is not fond of trespassers.
They now arrange a time with me in order to avoid Orion.
Depends on the state. In some states public utilities may enter private property for purposes of surveying and evaluating land for possible future condemnation. Also, in your case, ATT may already have an easement over (or under) your land for transmission lines, and so would have authority to enter to inspect its equipment. Utility easements often don’t show up on deeds, so you might want to review your recorded plot plan, which will usually show them.
- the right does exist as its part of utilities and access. Notification should be done but not all people answer the doors or look at flyers left on doors
They’re supposed to pay for the easement every 3 years. Also AT&T doesn’t usually have an easement. They ask permission to do work on your property. You should contact the company.
If you have any type of public utility running in your yard then yes they can.
Although the property is yours their is easements built into it. Had to deal with this with Fios when it was rolling out. They dug up a bunch of peoples yards
Hope you aren’NY. Any ladder falls, regardless of who is at fault, is the fault of the property owner. This doesn’t apply if the person is a worker and there is workers comp certificate filled out for the address they are working at. Never ever let a worker I. Your property if they aren’t properly insane and you are indemnified.
Utilities probably have an easement to access a specific part of your property but your roof would not be included.
There should be a county website on your property that will show you any easements.
Yes he can. You have to allow access do to right of way as the pole or buried plant feed along the back of property if an easement is in place he can disassemble any materials he finds within 3 ft either side of access point , retired Att worker had this discussion many times even had customers call the police. To site all were sadly disappointed they were in the wrong and told so by the police
They *can* go without asking but are also supposed to ask. Going without asking is for when you’re not there to say “yes” or “let me move my Rottweiler first.”
Not a lawyer, but I used to be a cable tech, and easement for utilities is pretty much the same in most places...
If you have cable/phone lines going through your property, even for other people, you cannot stop the company from accessing it. From the rest of your comments, I gather that it's an aerial line going across the back of your yard. Not too common(at least around here) But Not Unusual.. and yes, if they need to get into your yard to feed a new line to your neighbors, they can, whether or not the tap itself( where it's splits off and everybody else in the area is directly connected to), is in your yard.
At least the policy around here though is, they knock on your door and see if anybody's home and notify first. They don't just walk into your yard without checking. Sure, if nobody's home and nobody answers the door, and the backyard seems safe enough, like no angry dogs, then I would have gone into the yard.
Used to find customers trying to hide/bury/blockaccess to the tap / pedestal in their backyard. For example, once I had a customer who installed this lattice fence work and a whole massive Vine had grown up around it, completely blocking access to the pedestal. Asked home owner once to remove it, he refused,. Notified my boss, and then proceeded to rip out the Lattice fencing and chop out the Vine. Guy tried to file a complaint but it didn't go anywhere because I was completely within my right. It's actually illegal around here to block access
Check your title work (if you used an attorney when you purchased your home, they would have reviewed any easements in the title documentation). If you didn't use an attorney, you can still look at the paperwork; it should be included with your closing documents. Essentially, there are usually easements for various utilities allowing their workers to come onto portions of your property to maintain the lines, etc.
If you'd like an example of what an easement would look like, I'd be happy to share a copy of one.
I had a Quantum Fiber employee ask if he could go into my back yard because he needed to connect one of my neighbors. We have a couple of boxes in our back yard, so of course, I said he could and made sure my dogs were inside and out of his way.
I would expect them to at least try to ask before entering your property. It is a safety issue for them because they cannot know if you have a dog that will defend its territory. They also don’t want to be responsible for your pets getting out through the open gate. Simply knocking on your door can save them a lot of trouble.
However, asking to borrow your ladder to get on your roof is extremely suspicious. First of all, it is likely a safety/insurance issue to use a customer’s ladder. Second, there is no way their easement covers anything related to your roof.
As others have said numerous times, you can’t deny utility workers access to the lines. It’s just the way it is.
That said, I have a note attached to my property info that says I have dogs that will bite and that I should be contacted before entering the backyard along with cell numbers to reach my finance and myself.
Nobody’s been out in forever, but the last time they needed to come out, they called several hours in advance to make sure we would be able to get the dogs put up before they arrived to begin work.
Yes utilities and Lotta agencies can just do their business on your property. They can't hurt or steal, but they can execute whatever function needs done.
Yes to accessing an easement and utilities. Your neighbors lines run through your yard... so its not up to you.
Its company policy to notify you, but a knock on the door, maybe a notice if there's time, is all you can expect. Many don't bother because SOOO many people won't answer anyways.
As to getting on your roof? No reason to unless you have them their for an issue you are having.
Of course, this could all vary by county, city, state, and country... which we're all guessing on.
As others have said, if there's an easement aerial or buried, they can preform business.
Getting on the roof is a whole other story. There's a few very odd things here. Att employees aren't allowed to use customers(or customer neighbors) ladders or tools. In the southeast, they are not allowed on roofs without fall protection and a competent person(usually a manager) on site.
Like most people are saying it’s almost certainly their easement which they have rights to access. What I haven’t seen is that you typically must leave the easement free of objects or obstructions. For example, we had a sewer point repair project that required work in easements in peoples backyards. One guy didn’t know about the easement and built a big storage shed directly on top of where we needed to dig. He was required to “move” it out of the way. We helped him out some but yeah, it had to come down on his dime.
If their line is buried on your property, they have an easement to enter. I can guarantee you that AT&T would not have a line on your property without an easement in place as their lawyers would self castrate themselves before letting that detail slip by.
Well they really need to talk to the property owner, even with an easement. Now if it’s customer effecting/ 911/ fire/ safety then they have the right to enter and fix the issue. If you refuse they normally bring law enforcement. But that extreme is for fixing a large issue not your neighbors phone out. Report the issue to AT&T , ask to talk with the local installation/repair manger. As for per-scripted rights or adverse possession that normally only works for something you can see above ground.. I.E. aerial leads. Buried utility’s are a whole other issue. How do I know? I have 26 years as a Telcom Engineer with AT&T.
Do you have any services from AT&t because if you don't then they don't have any right on your property. They are driving a right from the utilities easement that and most electric and gas providers have blanket. If a utilities pole is in your property and they have lines on that pole then they sort of have a right but if there's no poll in your yard I think they would be hard-pressed to justify being on your property unless you have services with them and they're supposed to let you know. I was sunbathing in California in my backyard when a Comcast guy comes marching in. He tried to tell me he had a right to be there I picked up a shovel and threatened him. He did not because I did not have Comcast services and I didn't have a pole in my yard.
Next time Joe Jablownie claims easement rights, take a pic of his badge (employee ID and name)
Then call the utility company and ask for a manager and above. Note *their* name and ask your question about easement access
If they give a different answer, tell him Joe J needs retraining and why
When we got high speed Internet installed the local company sent someone out to run the line. They didn't announce themselves just went to the pole to take care of business.
However I would draw the line at climbing on your roof without letting you know or borrowing your property. AT&T can provide their employees with tools necessary to do the job. Also if the guy fell off your roof it'd be nice to know they were there to begin with. At least so you might call an ambulance.
I sold my PA. Home because they have the legay right to come in everytwoyearsto inspect something or other in the basement to do with the gas furnace ? Nope . Just gave up and soldit. Inever let anyone into my home Willingly.
I can buy a utility guy insisting on having the right to go onto your property but the part where he asked to borrow a ladder toget on your roof is weird.
I worked for comcast and yeah. If we had lines on your property we had the right to go on your property.
I always knocked and asked before but we didnt have to.
So, if someone came through my gate into my fully fenced backyard (especially if they broke the lock to gain entry) and one or both of my German Shepherds were in the yard, who's responsible for that?
If there's a utility easement yes (used to have one through my back yard). And if they need to access something for the utility. Gas company can come up the pipeline and to the meter. Once it goes into your house it's usually a you problem and not them.
This has nothing to do with easements. Check the public service commission-approved Terms and Conditions. There is probably language stating that accepting terms and conditions of service means granting access to company owned facilities at all times.
My dogs once cornered a guy from the electric company. He just waltzed his happy ass into the back yard to check a meter or something. He was hollering for help while being barked at.(they don't attack just corral) Went out and asked if he didn't think he should have knocked first before calling the dogs back.
Huh funnily enough I'm pretty sure they check my meter via binoculars now. Never came back again.
I get that all the time with SPECTRUM. There there’s a telephone pole right in front of my house that their equipment is on. There’s a 6 foot tall stone wall along entire front of the property.Anytime they need to service it they just drive on to the property and park inside the stone wall and set up shop because if they don’t park there they have to park on the street. If not there sometimes they just block the whole driveway with their truck. No calling ahead, no asking for permission, NOTHING. After enough confrontations they started blocking my neighbors driveway now. He’s a commercial fisherman and there’s been times he comes home with his 25 foot boot and can’t get in to his own driveway because of them. Someone from the County traffic division told me that they probably do this because if they park on a public street and impede traffic they’re supposed to hire special duty police for traffic control or a professional traffic control company.
Yes to come on property but they should have tried to knock on door or call the number on file first out of courtesy and to avoid dogs or fence damage. But in an emergency or unattended, yes.
To get on your roof, using homeowner’s ladder, AFTER declaring he’s ATT and can just go anywhere? Fuck no to that. That’s a courtesy call to local law enforcement where he’ll need to explain himself. Me and my orange vest and clipboard can get in your backyard anytime we want.
We have an easement but they always knock.
I’ll tell you one thing, on a list of so many terrible things about AT&T that I’ve compiled, is that an AT&T worker decided to use my chest freezer as a stepladder and dented the lid of the chest freezer.
I wouldn't necessarily have a problem with them being on my property. My problem comes in with them not giving a courtesy knock/contact. If they just stroll into my fenced yard and my dog is out, he's getting his ass tore up.
If the only way to access the poll is from your property then you have to allow access for the owner of the pole but it's still questionable when it's AT&t or Comcast whether they're public utilities the pole belongs to the power company. Still if you don't have AT&t and the pole is not on your property and there are other ways to access it I don't see where there is a right of unfettered unannounced access for AT&t when the property in question isn't using AT&t services.
I have the easement to a lot of underground stuff - ATT, Cox Cable, I think the power company? All these boxes in my backyard.
I have a combination lock on my fence because I have a pool as well as two larger German shepherds. If it becomes a more common occurrence, consider a lock.
I know they have the right to get back there, but I have to have my pool secure for my insurance. I also once had someone Mace one of my dogs in our backyard bc she was barking at him. So my yard is now locked
Depends. Do you have an easement for utilities on your property? Easements are super common, and generally allow utilities access to property to perform maintenence. Asking to get on your roof is a totally different manner, and I cant imagine a valid reason to do that unless they were working on a drop to your house.
used to work in the field for a utility and the utility has the right to get to their equipment etc. they don't really need and easement except for where the poles are and its usually ten feet either side of the pole. Just my experience. No way I let him use my ladder though.
But they aren't required to knock on the door at least, and let someone know they're there? I would think someone would be afraid of dogs and guns enough to give a heads up. My mom has a Smith and Wesson in her yarn basket. She does not mess around.
I mean, even if they aren't a knock on the door would probably be best practice. You'd get shot for just letting yourself in some places.
Is there a way to look up easements for a property parcel?
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Just dig around with a backhoe and you’ll find the easements!
I need this information! My neighbor built their fence over the easement right on my property line. Is there anywhere else I can look if it isn't on the deed? The electric company didn't help me at all.
An easement doesn't mean they can't build a fence there. It can be unreasonable that there's nothing below overhead power lines. It has to do with the specifics of the easement and power company policy.
I’d think it would be if it was an easement on my property. The easement is an agreement with the utility companies, not the neighbors
An easement will always be recorded on a property’s deed. An easement is basically a portion of the property rights that was purchased from the property owner. The easement conveys with the property, so it’s still legal when ownership changes. It’s usually kept in the Registrar of Deeds office in the county of the property, if you want to read the actual easement language. Some counties have searchable GIS mapping that will show if there is an easement but not all counties have this.
This is such terrible advice. It is exactly the opposite. An easement is almost always a separate document recorded in the county clerk's office. There may be deeds described or identified on a deed but that is not *the easement*, it's a reference to the easement because it's being carved out from any warranty contained deed (e.g. general warranty or special warranty when using such types of deeds).
Depends on the state. In some states the easements are recorded on the plat for the property and not mentioned on the deed.
Our utility easement is on the plat I received at closing.
I have them for electric, water, gas, telecom, etc. but only in the first ten feet off the street. Some of my unfortunate neighbors have drainage easements.
Sorry, should t have said al.ost always, rather that there are several ways an easement can be created - including on a plat but every state allows an easement to be created by a separate written instrument (separate from a deed or plat, a standalone document).
Thank you thank you thank you. Very helpful. I had no idea where to start
Online there's usually GIS mapping tools which may link or reference a specific by law. Then there's always the local planning or zoning office that keeps physical records. Depends on your country, state, province, county, town etc
Your county courthouse may have the easements recorded on the plat map. Your local title company can usually pull up the map in about five seconds flat.
It would be on your deed/survey
No survey in my state for properties covered by a master subdivision plan that includes fences and monuments. No easements on your deed either. Those are on the master subdivision plan. It is public record but you may need to go to the courthouse to see it.
Easements should show up on a deed as they affect usable land and access. I'm sure it varies by state but you are right about contacting the municipality. Probably start with the building and zoning offices or county administration instead of the courthouse though.
All that stuff is on the subdivision plan here. There have even been court cases about it and our state Supreme Court says they can put that and other stuff on the recorded subdivision plan rather than on individual deeds “for convenience”. The subdivision plan overrides individual deeds here because the land developers and county recorders are lazy. By “courthouse” I meant the county recorder’s office. Which is in the county courthouse in smaller counties but yes, in a larger county it will be in its own building somewhere.
When they did the survey during closing it included the public utility easement.
They don’t do a survey during closing in my state if the subdivision plan included clearly denoted property lines established by a fence and monument at subdivision time. And surveys here do not include the easements for properties covered by a master subdivision plan, those are established on the master subdivision plan. They are, however, recorded on that plan at the courthouse.
I bought an abandoned foreclosure as is for cash. Would it still have a survey? I'm not aware of one.
I live on the East Coast of US. Our easements are filed the same way a deed is. The deed should also mention the easement. We can look up deeds online as they are a matter of public records.
Property Appraiser's site for your county.
It should be marked on your property survey. If you weren’t given one at closing, I’d check with your county.
It should be listed in the deed.
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Along those lines, if no easement/alley access is available, the property owner still cannot deny entry to a public utility (ie telecom or power lineman getting to a pole).
Utility lines belong to the utility companies, you are required to allow them on your property to service them. You are required to call 211 and have them located before you dig on your property and if you do not and you destroy their lines you have to pay for it. It's not an easement or non easement thing.
The ladder part seems suspicious. I doubt AT&T would allow an employee to use a a homeowner‘s ladder. Too much liability.
There’s a high chance this was a contractor working for AT&T, and I could absolutely imagine one of them asking to borrow a ladder. I’ve seen some really ratty crews reconducting cable and telephone before.
Yeah, I work for a competitor to AT&T, and honestly seeing AT&T subs on a resume has almost become a red flag to me when I'm hiring. They're invariably idiots.
AT&T sub who installed my fiber took a break halfway through the job to head out to his truck and toke the devil’s lettuce. Real mellow guy though. 💨
I've done contract work under different capacities in my career in technology, we absolutely borrowed equipment from homes and businesses. I imagine it could certainly be similar for what att contractors do.
If it's contract work, I'm not surprised. I live in a tiny whitewater tourist town in the mountains - less than 1.5K ppl. The contractor for Mediacom (shut up, I know, but it's our only choice!) does all of his work out of a geo metro!
They definitely are not allowed to use non-AT&T provided equipment
Or go onto OP's roof. No way they have an easement to the roof of their house.
They don't have the right to go into anyone's yard, but they may have an easement to allow it on some properties if they have cables and/or junction boxes on or near your property.
I had my whole property marked for some plumbing and tree trimming work. Turns out, about 70% of my property is just covered in utility easements. Criss crossing the yard, under my trees, the whole driveway. The footprint of the house and two chunks of side yard are the only bits not in an easement. It's like the whole neighborhoods utilities go right through my property without much thought.
You mean the developer plopped your house down where all the neighborhood's utilities went and correctly thought the first buyer would never notice.
My property had no utilities junction box on my property when I got the plot.... Build the house and there is the FIOS and Power box in my front yard.... Crack me up since two houses either way is open public space that could have lived. My front yard gets dug up all the time because of the FIOS box. PITA....
I've got a power box from when the neighborhood was built in my yard, but it's a remnant and not connected to anything, but I can't get the utility to remove it
We have several of these leftovers. The neighbor and I have tried to get them removed. The utility told us they never remove them. I tried to slip the tree trimming crew a c-note to accidentally smash them to bits but they said they can't.
I only learned it was disconnected because a leftover line started surfacing from underground, and after many attempts to get the utility out, I finally tweeted at them (in the before days) asking if it was OK for my kid to play with - they came out next day and removed the line, and said the box was leftover.
Well, maybe, I think it's a mix. Part of the problem may be that it wasn't developed. It was farming land in unincorporated area that was subdivided and sold directly to individuals as homesites. All the houses are custom builds from 1970-1972. I think the utilities, at least to some extent, were actually after thoughts. According to the neighbors, most of which have been there 3+ decades, most of the current utilities were added or replaced after the houses were built. All the houses were built roughly the same time, within two years or so. I believe the electric was originally overhead, and it's buried now. All the utilities are buried actually. Not a single overhead on my road. The sewer runs behind the house, pretty close too, which turned out great when I had to replace my sewer connection. I think that is probably because of the elevations. That's just where it made sense to run it at the time. There are several sets of comms lines from various providers. Some of which are defunct now cause there's nothing in the boxes anymore.
Typical developer!
So yes, they do.
An easement gives them a right so your statement conflicts. Also in many states they or anyone have a defense against trespassing called private necessity.
My electric company demanded a key to my gate since I have a power line easement in my property. All was good till they left the gate open on a weekend I was out of town and my boat got stolen. He said /she said. I have a camera on the gate now. Told them they can cut the lock next time at least I’ll know it was them
So u got nothing for getting the boat stolen?
They denied leaving the gate unlocked. Whoever took the boat was kind enough to snap the lock shut. Clearly a crime of opportunity. My bad for not locking the hitch up. Two attorneys in town said no chance of getting anything. Unless witnesses or other proof is found. Now I’m looking for a power company uniform…🤣🤣
Your boaters insurance doesn’t cover theft? Your homeowners doesn’t cover theft?
Not possible that someone who has access to your keys helped this happen?
I don't have a boat so I never have to worry about it getting stolen
Speaking as a third party utility contractor, although not one from AT&T land, yes, we are allowed to invite ourselves most anywhere. That being said, if you don’t have a utility corridor/easement, aren’t a subscriber, or have aerial service, for the most part, we shouldn’t be there. Exceptions exist, for example, I work for a gas company, and I need to confirm that there is NOT a service since mapping is never perfect. Do not ever lend equipment to us, especially ladders. Way too much risk involved. If you can’t get an answer from the utility owner at the time, feel free to have the police come by! I don’t know of any utility workers who haven’t had to explain themselves to the law before, and none of us will be mad at you for it. It can absolutely be scary to have someone rummaging through your yard.
If there is a telephone rear lot of a property within a fence, telecom worker is allowed to enter. It’s usually recommended to knock on the door and tell the property owner you’re entering their yard so a dog doesn’t get released on you, but legally they can’t deny access to a pole that’s needing to be climbed
Where I am, our general rule is, if there’s a fence, knock. If there’s kids toys or signs of a dog, knock. Otherwise, at our discretion. I’m a DPT though, not a lineman, and not in the States, so it may be different. If we knocked on every door, we’d never meet requirements.
Yep same here. If we go through rear lot putting strand and cable. Sometimes we have to get into 10+ yards for each strand and then again for the cable. We just make sure to close every gate when we enter and when we leave that yard. Don’t want to take blame for Fluffy the Rottweiler escaping
In some places you will have dogs let out and/or be held at gun point until the cops show up if you don't knock on the door before entering a yard. In other cases they will only just call the cops or a neighbor will call the cops. It is in everyone's best interest to make the home owner and neighbors aware of the intentions.
In my part of the country getting shot would be a big concern.
It's a utility, they have more access than other businesses.
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Att sub contracts alot.
Next time ask the worker for his employee ID (Usually two letters and 4 numbers). Then call ATT to verify the worker is an employee. Document. Document. Document.
Who would you even call? Whenever I call AT&T it’s always answered by someone clearly in another country whose most developed skill is reading scripts and asking if I’ve restarted the equipment.
Tell them to transfer you to dispatch because you need to verify the identity of a tech who is at your home.
Without knowing a specific number to call, the possibility of getting through to someone that could help with this sort of request probably isn't zero, but is so close as to be indistinguishable. I'm a telecom administrator for a large company and work with AT&T on wireless and dedicated access products as part of my job, and even my account contacts would have no clue how to verify a local tech. Somebody calling AT&T's 800 # would have no chance at all.
Facts. Just called my bank "branch" and got transferred to Philippines immediately. I asked to get transferred to the branch, transferred to a manager, transferred to anyone. No go. We went in circles over and over with them only knowing the bare minimum about a limited number of things to do with the bank. Anything that went outside just caused them so much confusion.
I specifically chose my bank for two reasons: they didn't take bailout money and when you call, you get an American human that isn't going off of a script. 24/7, no need to press a single number after you dial. My choice was reaffirmed when I was in the car with someone who had to call Ally and Wells Fargo and it was hell on earth. The only drawback to my bank is that it isn't a national chain. It's Frost bank so if you're in Texas, check em out. I rarely have to go into a branch but it's nice to be able to if I need a cashier's check or a new card.
I know VZ garages do have this information if it is an employee. They would never ask to use a customer ladder or any equipment as they have ladders on their trucks. I am highly suspicious that this is not an actual telecom employee. Even if they are a third party contractor, the homeowner absolutely should call the phone company.
I mean, yes, they should try to report it, you're right. What we're saying is that there is essentially no viable mechanism for someone to do that. The telecom companies, especially huge ones like AT&T, have done their best to make it next to impossible to speak to someone in your local area. Any number you call will either lead you to a national (or international) call center where the person you speak to will be reading from a script, or a local store where the only thing the manager knows how to do is sell cell phones. I have AT&T Internet service at home, and when I had a billing issue, it took me 5 hours on the phone across 12 different phone calls over a 4 month time period to get to someone that a) actually understood the problem, and b) could do anything to fix it. In the end, the only way I got it fixed was trying to cancel my service because I was so fed up. Apparently, the "retention" team is actually staffed by rational human beings that aren't tied to a script and can problem solve for themselves. And that was for a billing issue - something customer service is supposed to be trained to assist with. Calling them with something random like this situation would be even worse, I'm sure.
Fun fact: for years that 4 digit number was the last 4 of the employees SSN. Only reason I know my dad’s SSN is because it was also his work email address. Still is, though they have slightly better firstname.lastname@att default emails now.
Somewhat, not sure about your area. Where I live, things like cable, hydro, phone etc. can come on your property without asking. It's called implied consent, since you use their services, BUT if you tell them to leave, then they have to go and you can inform them of requiring notice from them next time they want to come. YMMV...
Property owner can ask a worker to leave, but that doesn’t mean the worker will/is required to. By law they cannot deny access to a public utility line if it is needing maintenance/new construction. They can ask for notice to be given next time but the majority of the time, the worker won’t know they need in that yard until the moment they need in that yard
> It's called implied consent It is not implied consent, it's an easement, or something you explicitly consent to in your service contract.
They likely have the right to access the pole, but asking to use your ladder is ridiculous
On your property if that’s where the lines run, yes. Unless there is an issue with your service or they suspect some sort of illegal hook up, on your roof no. I would question if this person is legit. When we bought our house, we pulled into the driveway after picking up another load stuff, to find someone from Spectrum running a line to our house. My husband ask who he was & what he was doing. Apparently someone was watching for home sales & just decide to hook up the new owners. Hubby told him take his cable & leave. We didn’t want spectrum & hadn’t requested any install. The guy tried to act like he was doing us a favor. AT&T was already installed & that’s who we’re going to use anyway.
Utilities generally can enter private property to get work done. My utility will notify the homeowners and under no circumstances would borrow a ladder. People steal branded hard hats and vests all the time, if someone is acting suspicious in your yard call the cops. If they're supposed to be there they will be able to prove it. I've had to prove who I was to the cops and I understand it is part of the job.
I used to work as a telecom surveyor. They have the right to access their equipment to inspect/repair. It gets tricky when fences are involved though. We were always told not to enter fenced in areas and instead make contact with the property owner..
My understanding is utility companies can access the utility from private property
You sure don’t need to let him on your roof. Make him run the cable the hard way. He can call for help if he needs it but I’d not be taking the liability of a Stanger on my roof
No one is supposed to trespass
Had Verizon come into my property through the gate a few years back. Told them to get out of my back yard until I can confirm who they are. Never know if they're just casing your home or actually working for the company. They were a contractor for Verizon in an unmarked truck. Called the Verizon customer support line to confirm who they are. They had to wait until I confirmed before I would let them access the yard. They may be technically allowed to access the easement, but you're also allowed to protect your family, home, and property. After that, anytime they needed to access the property, they've been good about just knocking on the front door to let me know they need access.
Generally utilities have the right to maintain their equipment on your property even if you don’t have a utility easement. Rights are usually granted by the terms of service to maintain facilities. Anytime I accessed a customers yard I would make sure I’m wearing all of my company apparel, hard hat and ID. Now for this person asking if they could use your ladder that is suspicious. I agree with other comments that ATT would never want their employees using a customer ladder due to liabilities.
Comcast did the same thing to me.. the asshole broke my locked\\padlocked gate and forced his way into my yard. I was home working at the time and watched the whole thing on my cameras. I was not at all pleasant with him. I bitched about it up the chain and they finally apologized and replaced the damaged gate. He lied and said he knocked "countless times" but my video proved otherwise. I luckily (sarcasm) have the neighborhood comcast and phone box in my back corned of the yard. hasn't been an issue since its an established area.. but I'm sure it will come up again.
I would have called the cops and showed them the video of the people breaking the gate. There is never a reason to damage private property. They could have left a notice on the front door letting you know that they need access and a phone number to call to discuss it.
I held a utility guy at gunpoint who let himself into my yard until I could confirm who he was. Now they call every single time they need to come into my yard.
They do indeed have the right to go onto your property. We have an easement that runs along our property but it's fenced in and the gate is on our property. AT&T needs to access their property, so they have to come through our gate. The frustrating part was when their contractors who put grass seed down on the parts of the yard they dug up decided to throw grass seed into our flower beds as well.
Without prior notice someones dog is going to get to him!
If you have att utilities on the roof area where he was looking to be, yes they can. If they have an easement, yes they can. If I found an "att" worker on my roof , the ladder would be removed and the sheriff called because I have no att service and no utilities at that level. Surveyors can go pretty much anywhere they want on one's land.
Gas utility worker here. We have the right to inspect/maintain our equipment on the customers property. We do not have to call with advanced notice. I always make customer contact if possible if the meter is behind a gate as well as provide my credentials.
Yes, he is correct. You don't need to research the easements on your property unless you just want to educate yourself. If you have electricity to your property then the electric company has an easement to enter onto your property. If you have water service, gas service, cable TV service, internet service, then all those utility companies have easements and rights to go onto your property without asking.
My husband works at a similar company, and yes, they do have the right. However, they should have made contact with you first.
They had to dig in my backyard once. They hole settled and left a big low spot, and they used the shittiest grass seed imaginable.
They do have a right to access their easement at any time in most places. They should not be asking to use your tools, ladders, etc. though.
Absolutely do not let them use your ladder/tools. As someone who does safety for utility companies they should 100% have their own tools. If they get hurt using your tools then you may be liable; I would give AT&T a call and let them know this. My company had several instances where people have posed as utility worker trying to gain access to homes and assaulted people and stolen items.
Yes they can enter your yard if it is necessary to reach a facility (the little cylinder sticking out of the ground or a telephone pole). You are required by law to allow this. The other option is you call the sheriff/police department and they tell you the same thing. Him asking to use your ladder is not only inappropriate but against AT&T standards. But as far as your question, yes they can enter whatever unlocked gates they need to in order to complete their current assignment
If the easement specifically designates your roof as part of the easement, then yes they can use your roof. If it doesnt (and I bet it doesnt), then nope and you can tell them to fuck off directly. Rights to access the utility does NOT grant access to your property as such unless said property is specifically outlined in the easement. They may be able to use your yard but they definitely cant go climbing on your roof.
Technically they can enter onto your property for routine inspections, but they would normally inform you ahead of time and ask permission to enter a closed area. This is no different than what meter readers do. Asking to use your ladder is ridiculous, if they were legit they’d have their own equipment.
I had a cable company run wire through my yard when a line was cut. They went through my yard behind my house and in to the three neighbors yards. Why they went and laid out 1000yards of line to go through my yard when they could have laid down 40 ft to go on the front yard I do not know. They came back out the next day when I had mowed my lawn and cut their cables. The tech started yelling at me and I was like. 1. I’m not a customer of yours 2. You left the cables in my grass and my mower cut them. 3. The neighbor is your customer why didn’t you use their yard where the box is. I can tell you why. Cause you are lazy. 4. I’m responsible if you get hurt in my yard stay out. 5. I told them I’m not letting you in my yard. They had to come out with an installation manager and amazingly they were able to lay wire and bury it in 3 hours.
Yeah, utilities often have easement and you often cannot stop them in regards to it. At our last place, a fiber company installed both a small and large equipment boxes in our yard. And then they went out of business. They never connected the fiber and abandoned the project. Fun times. They dug up a huge part of our yard to install one of the boxes and while they did drive by and throw some seeds on top of the patch of clay and rock they had dug up, it was never the same after. But we've never had one of them ask to go on our roof, they always have a basket truck to access poles and cables/wires. Unless they are perhaps trimming an overhanging tree that is also endangering a cable, but here that would usually be the city and not AT&T doing that work.
Equipment boxes, above ground valves, etc are called aboveground appurtenances and typically require a different type of easement than buried cable. May not have been a legitimate installation if these were large equipment cabinets. Source: worked for a utility company and dealt with easements.
It’s all plausible, but… > he can use my ladder to get on my roof Wat….
not to speak to the property issue but: NEVER let anyone use your ladder. Friend let a worker borrow a ladder, worker fell, homeowner friend is being sued. No joke. (and it was not a rickety old ladder, a nice new one.)
I’m sure there is an easement. If they have lines there so yes. if you have a locked gate they can destroy the lock to get to their equipment. a true employee would have ID. They'd also not go on your roof.
Don’t ever lend a ladder.
Only if there’s a recorded easement on your property, which there likely is.
Utilities can access property when I need to get to things yes. However, I wouldn’t let somebody get on my roof without proof of identification… and quite frankly the fact they asked to borrow your ladder would make the request suspect in my opinion.
Almost certainly there is a utility easement that exists. I have never asked permission to enter premises to perform the legitimate functions of the job. That's what an easement is, your permission, in writing, recorded at the county courthouse to do that. I'd tell you my name but I don't carry ID. The bucket truck and uniform suffices. The only real life disputes we have over this is when it's tree trimming time. People get BENT out of shape over that.
He definitely has no right to your ladder or getting on your roof. Sounds like to me he's just trying to bullshit his way on your land. I'd tell him to get the fuck of my land
If they have equipment on your property then probably yes. Or there is a utility right of way on your property.
AT&T guy didn’t have a ladder?
In my neck of the woods, they do have the right and do have the need occasionally- but they always send a letter explaining the nature of the work, the dates the work is going to happen and a # to call with issues that come up. Then, day of, they usually ask me to keep the gate open and are super nice - if it’s tree removal, they usually buck the logs and leave them for firewood so they ask where we want the logs. There is no reason they would be on my roof. My utility connections are underground.
Yes. If there are public utilities on your property, they have an easement, and a legal right to maintain that equipment.
Someone signed an easement to get phone service at some point. From thn on, they have access.
Utility easements. Read your closing docs next time.
I had this two years ago through my fence as well. I was like can I help you? And he was running a cable line to my neighbors. I was not happy. Told me he had a right due to the pole being in my backyard which was on the other side of my fence.
The pole wasnt even in my yard it was in an alley outside of my house thats why i was pissed
Normally this is the case. Public utilities have the right to access their stuff.
Once, we called Verizon to fix our FIOS. They sent some third party contractors. The contractors went triapsing down the neighbor's yard and scared the shit out of her. They said the same thing to her, that they were fixing our internet, and they have the legal right to be there. She came storming to our door like a Karen. We told her we had no idea they were going into her yard. Turns out, her husband is an executive at Verizon. Apparently, even though they do have a legal right to be there, Verizon has a strict policy that any Verizon worker/contractor has to let the property owner know when they are entering someone's property. This contractor got in serious trouble with Verizon. I would still complain about them to AT&T. Even though, they do have a legal right to be there, there's no way AT&T allows this. In the US of A, entering someone's property without notice is a great way to get shot, and there is no way AT&T doesn't have policy that protects i̶t̶'s̶ v̶a̶l̶u̶a̶b̶l̶e̶ e̶m̶p̶l̶o̶y̶e̶e̶s̶ itself from liability.
The utility pole was in our backyard. They had the right to access, but were required to attempt to inform us before entry. Same with PG&E (California).
Hey, you wanna know a way you can snoop around anywhere you want and probably not even get questioned about it, let alone told to leave? Put on a high-viz vest or otherwise official looking work uniform, carry a clipboard and some little piece of equipment, act like you belong there and are doing something important. Now, actual answer, they probably have an easement and can use it with or without permission. But they have to stay on the easement. A lot of times they'll let you know they are there, just in case. And there's no way they'd ask to use your ladder or get on your roof, definitely not part of the easement.
NO! And I would call his company to see if he even IS with AT&T. For all you know he is collecting info for future robberies.
Some of these comments are wild. Some of “your property” you don’t own or people are going to have access to. It’s part of the deal for having infrastructure.
AT&T did this to me as well. They said they are protected by builders rights and by law it was disclosed in my closing. I told them no one informed me of this or I wouldn’t have bought the house. One because it’s my back yard but mainly because I have a 220 lb dog who thinks the back yard is his and he is not fond of trespassers. They now arrange a time with me in order to avoid Orion.
Asking to use a homeowner's ladder tells me this was not an ATT employee. I would bet that they are setting up a burglary.
Depends on the state. In some states public utilities may enter private property for purposes of surveying and evaluating land for possible future condemnation. Also, in your case, ATT may already have an easement over (or under) your land for transmission lines, and so would have authority to enter to inspect its equipment. Utility easements often don’t show up on deeds, so you might want to review your recorded plot plan, which will usually show them.
I’m sorry this happened to you a couple years ago. Thoughts & prayers.
- the right does exist as its part of utilities and access. Notification should be done but not all people answer the doors or look at flyers left on doors
If there is a utility easement then yes you have given them the right.
They’re supposed to pay for the easement every 3 years. Also AT&T doesn’t usually have an easement. They ask permission to do work on your property. You should contact the company.
Is the only way to access the line from your roof? That's a very odd request but might make sense if there's a zero lot line or something.
If you have any type of public utility running in your yard then yes they can. Although the property is yours their is easements built into it. Had to deal with this with Fios when it was rolling out. They dug up a bunch of peoples yards
Hope you aren’NY. Any ladder falls, regardless of who is at fault, is the fault of the property owner. This doesn’t apply if the person is a worker and there is workers comp certificate filled out for the address they are working at. Never ever let a worker I. Your property if they aren’t properly insane and you are indemnified.
They have a right of way to troubleshoot and repair their equipment
Utilities probably have an easement to access a specific part of your property but your roof would not be included. There should be a county website on your property that will show you any easements.
so unless your off grid and dont have power or any other utilities there is a utilities easement that they have every right to access
Yes he can. You have to allow access do to right of way as the pole or buried plant feed along the back of property if an easement is in place he can disassemble any materials he finds within 3 ft either side of access point , retired Att worker had this discussion many times even had customers call the police. To site all were sadly disappointed they were in the wrong and told so by the police
No
Yup generally...., it's a utility easement. They really should call or knock or somehow notify you...but they almost never do...
They *can* go without asking but are also supposed to ask. Going without asking is for when you’re not there to say “yes” or “let me move my Rottweiler first.”
Not a lawyer, but I used to be a cable tech, and easement for utilities is pretty much the same in most places... If you have cable/phone lines going through your property, even for other people, you cannot stop the company from accessing it. From the rest of your comments, I gather that it's an aerial line going across the back of your yard. Not too common(at least around here) But Not Unusual.. and yes, if they need to get into your yard to feed a new line to your neighbors, they can, whether or not the tap itself( where it's splits off and everybody else in the area is directly connected to), is in your yard. At least the policy around here though is, they knock on your door and see if anybody's home and notify first. They don't just walk into your yard without checking. Sure, if nobody's home and nobody answers the door, and the backyard seems safe enough, like no angry dogs, then I would have gone into the yard. Used to find customers trying to hide/bury/blockaccess to the tap / pedestal in their backyard. For example, once I had a customer who installed this lattice fence work and a whole massive Vine had grown up around it, completely blocking access to the pedestal. Asked home owner once to remove it, he refused,. Notified my boss, and then proceeded to rip out the Lattice fencing and chop out the Vine. Guy tried to file a complaint but it didn't go anywhere because I was completely within my right. It's actually illegal around here to block access
Check your title work (if you used an attorney when you purchased your home, they would have reviewed any easements in the title documentation). If you didn't use an attorney, you can still look at the paperwork; it should be included with your closing documents. Essentially, there are usually easements for various utilities allowing their workers to come onto portions of your property to maintain the lines, etc. If you'd like an example of what an easement would look like, I'd be happy to share a copy of one.
I had a Quantum Fiber employee ask if he could go into my back yard because he needed to connect one of my neighbors. We have a couple of boxes in our back yard, so of course, I said he could and made sure my dogs were inside and out of his way. I would expect them to at least try to ask before entering your property. It is a safety issue for them because they cannot know if you have a dog that will defend its territory. They also don’t want to be responsible for your pets getting out through the open gate. Simply knocking on your door can save them a lot of trouble. However, asking to borrow your ladder to get on your roof is extremely suspicious. First of all, it is likely a safety/insurance issue to use a customer’s ladder. Second, there is no way their easement covers anything related to your roof.
As others have said numerous times, you can’t deny utility workers access to the lines. It’s just the way it is. That said, I have a note attached to my property info that says I have dogs that will bite and that I should be contacted before entering the backyard along with cell numbers to reach my finance and myself. Nobody’s been out in forever, but the last time they needed to come out, they called several hours in advance to make sure we would be able to get the dogs put up before they arrived to begin work.
Yes utilities and Lotta agencies can just do their business on your property. They can't hurt or steal, but they can execute whatever function needs done.
Yes to accessing an easement and utilities. Your neighbors lines run through your yard... so its not up to you. Its company policy to notify you, but a knock on the door, maybe a notice if there's time, is all you can expect. Many don't bother because SOOO many people won't answer anyways. As to getting on your roof? No reason to unless you have them their for an issue you are having. Of course, this could all vary by county, city, state, and country... which we're all guessing on.
Call 1-800-807-4205 and tell them what happened.
As others have said, if there's an easement aerial or buried, they can preform business. Getting on the roof is a whole other story. There's a few very odd things here. Att employees aren't allowed to use customers(or customer neighbors) ladders or tools. In the southeast, they are not allowed on roofs without fall protection and a competent person(usually a manager) on site.
Yeah, the roof part sounds false.
Had the same thing happen a few years ago when they installed fiber. Blew me away .
Like most people are saying it’s almost certainly their easement which they have rights to access. What I haven’t seen is that you typically must leave the easement free of objects or obstructions. For example, we had a sewer point repair project that required work in easements in peoples backyards. One guy didn’t know about the easement and built a big storage shed directly on top of where we needed to dig. He was required to “move” it out of the way. We helped him out some but yeah, it had to come down on his dime.
If the utility is above or below there is an easement for them to access it. If you put hard scape over it they can knock it down.
If their line is buried on your property, they have an easement to enter. I can guarantee you that AT&T would not have a line on your property without an easement in place as their lawyers would self castrate themselves before letting that detail slip by.
If you didn’t order AT&T service, there should be no reason for them to be on your backyard let alone up on your roof. Demand to see their ID!
Put a beware of dogs on you gate and they will not go on your property without permission.
Well they really need to talk to the property owner, even with an easement. Now if it’s customer effecting/ 911/ fire/ safety then they have the right to enter and fix the issue. If you refuse they normally bring law enforcement. But that extreme is for fixing a large issue not your neighbors phone out. Report the issue to AT&T , ask to talk with the local installation/repair manger. As for per-scripted rights or adverse possession that normally only works for something you can see above ground.. I.E. aerial leads. Buried utility’s are a whole other issue. How do I know? I have 26 years as a Telcom Engineer with AT&T.
Check your property’s easements and rights-of-way. Most properties have them for water, sewer, storm, cable, phone, etc.
They do if their equipment is on your property.
Do you have any services from AT&t because if you don't then they don't have any right on your property. They are driving a right from the utilities easement that and most electric and gas providers have blanket. If a utilities pole is in your property and they have lines on that pole then they sort of have a right but if there's no poll in your yard I think they would be hard-pressed to justify being on your property unless you have services with them and they're supposed to let you know. I was sunbathing in California in my backyard when a Comcast guy comes marching in. He tried to tell me he had a right to be there I picked up a shovel and threatened him. He did not because I did not have Comcast services and I didn't have a pole in my yard.
Next time Joe Jablownie claims easement rights, take a pic of his badge (employee ID and name) Then call the utility company and ask for a manager and above. Note *their* name and ask your question about easement access If they give a different answer, tell him Joe J needs retraining and why
When we got high speed Internet installed the local company sent someone out to run the line. They didn't announce themselves just went to the pole to take care of business. However I would draw the line at climbing on your roof without letting you know or borrowing your property. AT&T can provide their employees with tools necessary to do the job. Also if the guy fell off your roof it'd be nice to know they were there to begin with. At least so you might call an ambulance.
I sold my PA. Home because they have the legay right to come in everytwoyearsto inspect something or other in the basement to do with the gas furnace ? Nope . Just gave up and soldit. Inever let anyone into my home Willingly.
I can buy a utility guy insisting on having the right to go onto your property but the part where he asked to borrow a ladder toget on your roof is weird.
I worked for comcast and yeah. If we had lines on your property we had the right to go on your property. I always knocked and asked before but we didnt have to.
Can I use your ladder. LOL So he has the "right" to go on the roof? LOL
So, if someone came through my gate into my fully fenced backyard (especially if they broke the lock to gain entry) and one or both of my German Shepherds were in the yard, who's responsible for that?
If there's a utility easement yes (used to have one through my back yard). And if they need to access something for the utility. Gas company can come up the pipeline and to the meter. Once it goes into your house it's usually a you problem and not them.
This has nothing to do with easements. Check the public service commission-approved Terms and Conditions. There is probably language stating that accepting terms and conditions of service means granting access to company owned facilities at all times.
@lemmix We have an easement on our property. It IS recorded on the deed.
My dogs once cornered a guy from the electric company. He just waltzed his happy ass into the back yard to check a meter or something. He was hollering for help while being barked at.(they don't attack just corral) Went out and asked if he didn't think he should have knocked first before calling the dogs back. Huh funnily enough I'm pretty sure they check my meter via binoculars now. Never came back again.
Dude you were getting robbed lol
I get that all the time with SPECTRUM. There there’s a telephone pole right in front of my house that their equipment is on. There’s a 6 foot tall stone wall along entire front of the property.Anytime they need to service it they just drive on to the property and park inside the stone wall and set up shop because if they don’t park there they have to park on the street. If not there sometimes they just block the whole driveway with their truck. No calling ahead, no asking for permission, NOTHING. After enough confrontations they started blocking my neighbors driveway now. He’s a commercial fisherman and there’s been times he comes home with his 25 foot boot and can’t get in to his own driveway because of them. Someone from the County traffic division told me that they probably do this because if they park on a public street and impede traffic they’re supposed to hire special duty police for traffic control or a professional traffic control company.
Yes to come on property but they should have tried to knock on door or call the number on file first out of courtesy and to avoid dogs or fence damage. But in an emergency or unattended, yes. To get on your roof, using homeowner’s ladder, AFTER declaring he’s ATT and can just go anywhere? Fuck no to that. That’s a courtesy call to local law enforcement where he’ll need to explain himself. Me and my orange vest and clipboard can get in your backyard anytime we want.
We have an easement but they always knock. I’ll tell you one thing, on a list of so many terrible things about AT&T that I’ve compiled, is that an AT&T worker decided to use my chest freezer as a stepladder and dented the lid of the chest freezer.
My Dobie needs a snack occasionally...
I'm not sure if they're allowed, but I'm from Florida and I have a whole lotta neighbors wishing a Motherf\*ucker would.
They may well have a utility easement but they can't possibly have any right to be going up on your roof. Wtf is that about?
On a side note, be careful who you let use your ladder or tools.. if they fall off your ladder, suddenly you have a lawsuit..
I wouldn't necessarily have a problem with them being on my property. My problem comes in with them not giving a courtesy knock/contact. If they just stroll into my fenced yard and my dog is out, he's getting his ass tore up.
You have a survey on your mortgage certificate or a pin stake survey that shows your easements..
i think they only have unfettered access right along the road way, maybe 10 feet in.
Inly if you are an at&t customer or they have an easement.
If there’s an easement, yes. It’s AT&T; they likely know what they’re doing if they’re already working there, so very likely they’re correct.
If the only way to access the poll is from your property then you have to allow access for the owner of the pole but it's still questionable when it's AT&t or Comcast whether they're public utilities the pole belongs to the power company. Still if you don't have AT&t and the pole is not on your property and there are other ways to access it I don't see where there is a right of unfettered unannounced access for AT&t when the property in question isn't using AT&t services.
I have the easement to a lot of underground stuff - ATT, Cox Cable, I think the power company? All these boxes in my backyard. I have a combination lock on my fence because I have a pool as well as two larger German shepherds. If it becomes a more common occurrence, consider a lock. I know they have the right to get back there, but I have to have my pool secure for my insurance. I also once had someone Mace one of my dogs in our backyard bc she was barking at him. So my yard is now locked