Upon visiting their grandparents, an anonymous poster was taken aback to find the plot to the right of their grandad and grandma’s entirely vacant. Instead of a house, there was only slightly overgrown grass. Curious to unravel the mystery, they asked their grandparents, unaware of the captivating tale that would unfold.
A concrete brown and white house | Source: Pexels
In early August 2023, an anonymous contributor shared the most amazing story they had ever heard on Reddit’s “Nuclear Revenge” forum. While visiting their grandma and grandpa to celebrate several summer birthdays together, OP arrived at their house only to find the plot to the right completely empty. There were no stones, no base, no debris—just slightly overgrown grass where a house used to stand.
Amidst the greetings and the commencement of the party, OP couldn’t resist the urge to unravel the mystery. Eager to know what happened, they approached their grandparents, completely unaware of the unexpected rollercoaster of a story that awaited them.
The Unpleasant Neighbors
A few years ago, OP’s grandparents found themselves contending with some highly disagreeable neighbors, who were a constant source of disturbance. The couple, along with their erratic adult son, proved to be a collective nuisance—loud at all hours, yard littered with trash, and frequently involved in arguments with other residents.
A mature woman looking over the fence | Source: Getty Images
The wife was known for inciting conflicts over trivial matters, while the husband resorted to physical intimidation against those who dared to stand up to them. The son’s reputation wasn’t any better, seeing as he had spent time in the county jail on multiple occasions.
While Grandpa maintained a calm and easygoing demeanor, Grandma, unyielding in her resolve, refused to tolerate such behavior.
The state of their house mirrored the occupants — sagging, dilapidated, with loose beams and peeling paint. Unfortunately, the absentee landlord, a notorious slumlord, took no action to rectify the situation.
Happy senior man and grandson having fun while playing saxophone and guitar at home. | Source: Getty Images
“It all came to a breaking point one night,” recounted OP, “when my grandparents returned home to find their back door smashed in and some of my grandpa’s guitars missing.” The grandfather, a lifelong music enthusiast, considered these guitars both highly memorable and financially valuable. Devastated, they reported the burglary to the police.
Investigative efforts revealed that the stolen guitars had been pawned or sold by the troublesome son. Although the guitars couldn’t be recovered, OP noted, “I believe my grandparents were fairly compensated since the guitars were insured.” This revelation about guitar insurance proved surprising. Given the substantial value of the stolen items, the theft qualified as a felony, resulting in the son finding himself once again behind bars.
What Did OP’s Grandma Do?
Following the burglary, the situation escalated as the neighbors began tormenting OP’s grandparents from beyond the fence and even on their porch. The relentless harassment made it challenging for them to enjoy any outdoor respite.
A senior citizen and adult man having an argument | Source: Getty Images
The neighbors resorted to hurling foul language, tossing trash over the fence, and the husband persistently attempting physical altercations. While Grandpa maintained a calm and easygoing demeanor, Grandma, unyielding in her resolve, refused to tolerate such behavior.
Faced with this predicament, she took a decisive step—condemning the troublesome neighbors’ house. Reflecting on the events, OP shared, “So what did [Grandma] do? She got the house condemned.” This action, seemingly drastic, proved to be a strategic move.
An elderly lady looking through binoculars | Source: Getty Images
Grandma promptly contacted local authorities, initiating an inspection that, based on the visibly neglected exterior, highlighted the prolonged lack of proper maintenance. The fallout from this single call triggered a series of events, leading to the declaration that the property was unfit for habitation.
Consequently, the unruly neighbors were compelled to vacate the premises. As OP remarked, “One call led to more calls,” indicating the domino effect set in motion by this intervention. “I’m not sure what happened to them or where they went,” OP recounted, “but supposedly they were put up in a nearby hotel by the slumlord until the house could be fixed…(ooo foreshadowing).”
What Happened after the Slumlord Stepped In?
Enter the slumlord into the narrative. Unsurprisingly, upon learning who had reported the house, the slumlord directed his displeasure toward OP’s grandparents. Instead of addressing the house’s issues, he adopted an aggressive approach on his first visit, berating OP’s grandparents for reporting him, claiming it cost him money, and threatening legal action.
People looking at a police car passing through a neighborhood | Source: Pexels
As OP explained, “he’s gonna sue them and on and on.” The confrontation escalated to the extent that the neighbors across the street felt compelled to call the local police to intervene, successfully diffusing the volatile situation.
Reflecting on subsequent events, OP detailed how, despite the slumlord’s promises, weeks passed without any visible effort to repair the house. Unwilling to let matters slide, Grandma initiated a relentless campaign of calls to various services, repeatedly reporting the lack of progress on the property.
Each call prompted a brief appearance of the slumlord’s truck, which, as OP recalled, “would appear for a day, and then leave without changing a thing.” Eventually, due to Grandma’s persistent complaints, officials conducted an inspection that led to the condemnation of the house for demolition.
An elderly man in a hat is sitting with bad mood at a table in the garden. | Source: Shutterstock
According to OP, this action “had two major effects.” First, the once troublesome neighbors found themselves on the brink of homelessness, unable to sustain their stay in the hotel once funds ran dry. Second, the slumlord faced significant fines for the house’s deplorable state.
The subsequent course of events, however, tilted more toward the slumlord’s own actions. Refusing to pay the fines and ignoring court appearances, he eventually attracted a warrant for his arrest. As OP narrated, “The rest is more his fault than my grandma’s actions.”
A senior woman with her grown-up grandson | Source: Getty Images
Fast forward a few months, and the demolition teams arrived to dismantle the problematic structure, rendering the lot perfectly barren. Notably, they even removed the driveway, seamlessly blending it with the side yard. As for the ultimate fate of the troublesome neighbors and the slumlord, OP’s grandparents remained uncertain.
In OP’s words, “My grandparents were not sure of the final state of the neighbors and slumlord, but my grandma looked very pleased with herself as she finished her story. I love her so much.”
