Dallas-Fort Worth Real Estate Investor Club

Common walls in a duplex with Bees

  • 25 Jun 2025 10:04 AM
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    Message # 13514119
    Cynthia Igbinovia

    I need some help.  I own half a duplex in Arlington.  We found honeybees in the  common wall area, they are actually coming in thru the shower on my side - Yikes.  We are doing the right thing by hiring a beekeeper to relocate the bees.  But in order to get to the bees they must cut thru the shower wall on either side. The bee hive can be seen on the other side of the house, but the bees found an opening and are coming in on my side.  The landlord that owns the other half doesn't want to pay for half the cost for removal.  The bees are in a common area, shouldn't the repair costs be shared?    

    I would like to go to small claims court to get him to pay,  would this be successful?
  • 08 Jul 2025 6:58 PM
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    Reply # 13518766 on 13514119
    Robin Carriger (Administrator)

    Hi Cynthia,

    If you'd like to have a longer conversation, feel free to give me a call at 817-300-1132.  The short version is that the cost of a repair or update that should be shared rarely is.  The party who is the most motivated to get the issue resolved is usually the party who pays for most or all of the job.  I've been on both sides of this multiple times, so I speak from experience.  Do your best to find a "win + win" scenario with your neighbor.  If they're uncooperative, you can always take them to court, but that may or may not get you the desired result.  In reality, you might simply be spending extra time & money to win the right to say "I was right."

    Thanks,

    Robin
  • 12 Jul 2025 8:46 AM
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    Reply # 13520066 on 13514119
    Cynthia Igbinovia

    Robin,  thanks for your reply.  You are exactly right, the honeybees were only coming in on my side of the unit only.  The other side did not report any bees. So the other landlord decided it was my problem, not his.  Although the bees were actually in the common walls.  Fortunately, the beekeepers were able to cut the drywall above the shower and remove the hives.  He didn't have to cut the tile work.  This resolved the problem at lower costs.  I took the hit and moved on without the support of the other unit.  I don't think it's worth the time and money to pursue a small claims court.  I thought i would share some pics.

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