If you’ve come home to find a new utility box planted in your yard without warning, you’re not alone.
One Benbrook resident returned from a trip to discover a fresh AT&T fiber box installed near their property without so much as a knock at the door. The confusion? They weren’t even an AT&T customer.
After a little digging of their own, they learned the not-so-fun reality: utility easements. These designated portions of land give utility companies the right to access and work within that space, with or without your direct approval. Even if it’s your yard, that easement means companies like AT&T, Oncor, or the gas provider have legal access.
While the installation may be legal, residents are still encouraged to hold these companies accountable for cleanup. If they tear up your lawn, they’re supposed to restore it. That could mean re-sodding or fixing damaged areas. But getting that resolved? It may take persistence.
Bottom line: If you spot unexpected work near your sidewalk or curb, check your property’s plat for easement boundaries. And don’t hesitate to call and ask that the area be restored to its original condition. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s patch job.
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