no

Rule number 1: NEVER buy a house lower than a neighbor’s house. You are asking for trouble even if the neighbors don’t landscape.

Since it’s too late for that, maybe you need to talk to the neighbor and work out a mutual agreement on water runoff from his backyard. You have to live with these people. Having officials come in is not a good way to show you are neighborly.

If you can’t work with this new neighbor now, you might as well start looking for another house because it will only get worse.

Call your Town supervisor’s or mayor’s office –City or Town Hall. I’m not sure which department. The Building Department might be the one. Usually when someone wishes to alter the land on their property they have to have some sort of permit for that project. This is similar to building a pool or even a shed on the land.This project, if it is extensive, must be inspected by someone and approved. If you feel they are altering their property to an extent where it could cause flooding I would definitely find out if they got a permit or at least if they would need one. Anyway, call and ask for help and to be directed to the proper authorities. They will tell you if this could cause problems or whatever and what recourse you have. Your neighbors may need something called a “variance” to do this job and that would require permission from any neighbors involved.

Yes anytime someone makes a change to the grade or drainage of a property that intersects or connects to another property “Water - Shed” must be determined by an engineer and approved by a city inspector.

If damages do occur because of “Water Re-Directing” the person who did this is responsible for damages. Check with your local building permit office and see if a “Permit” was obtained for the work your neighbor did.

If you can prove that as a result of their grading your property was damaged. Contact your city or county inspector and have him take a look, if he finds that it is or can cause a problem then contact your neighbor

It is possible to hold them responsible but not easy to do.

If you are worried then put up a barrier to force any runoff to go past your home and to the street.

I wouldn’t wait to find out! Notify them they need to devert the water away from your property. If you are friendly, offer to help them. If not send the note in through the mail.