Moving to a new neighbourhood comes with its fair share of concerns, but we can’t imagine that Kelly and Andrew Counts ever expected to be in their current position when they moved to a new home in Texas two years ago.

 

The Counts have made headlines online after finding themselves in court and under threat of being sued on account of their children’s garden playhouse.

 

When the couple moved to Stoney Hollow in Texas with their four kids, who are home-schooled, one of the first things they did was go next-door to the Ward family. After introducing themselves, they asked them to come to them immediately if their children ever disturbed them.

 

Problems began to arise soon after the Counts erected a wooden playhouse in the back garden for their little ones, and it was at a local homeowners’ meeting that they first learned it was creating problems for the Wards.

 

In the meeting minutes, the Wards announced that the building of the playhouse had led to “a significant loss of quality of life due to noise and visibility” issues.

 

 

The problems only got worse after the Counts adjusted the playhouse roof; after going next-door to confirm that changes had been made, Kelly Count was informed that the playhouse shouldn’t be there in the first place.

 

In retaliation, the Wards are reported to have begun playing ‘loud and vulgar’ music when the children were outside – something which, understandably, upset the Count family. They proceeded to sue for nuisance, which has led to a rather messy legal battle.

 

Both families are now due in court twice this month: firstly, over the music; and secondly, over the playhouse that is ‘disturbing the Wards’ tranquil quality of life’.

 

Speaking to local media this week, Kelly Count expressed her frustration: “It’s unfathomable to me. I can’t imagine the sound of kids playing at any age or stage of my life and thinking that I needed to sue someone over it.”

 

What do you think of the situation? Are the complaints on any side justified?

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