Large Sycamore in neighbours garden - 1m from garage

Bibliophile_2

The results of our survey have highlighted a very large tree in the neighbours garden which is right next to our garage.

A specialist report was commissioned which, although not finding any damage from roots, recommended that the tree comes down.

Our lenders are holding a retention of £2000, pending the work being done, or insurance which will cover the problem.

The vendors have asked the neighbours to pull down the tree, but they are not willing to co-operate.

I am concerned that if we go ahead, we are storing up problems in the future.

Your help would be very much appreciated.

MissMoneypenny

Bibliophile wrote: »

The vendors have asked the neighbours to pull down the tree, but they are not willing to co-operate..

That's your vendors problem.
If you buy this house with the tree still in place, it will then become your problem instead.

I would walk away and find another house.

I was going to say to go on the garden law website, but I see that you have already posted on there about this, 3 days ago.

anselld

Nobody can insist that the tree comes down, and it will not necessarily cause a problem. I guess it just depends how much you want the house and if the tree will spoil your enjoyment assuming it stays. If you still want the house with the tree then get the insurance. If not, walk away as MissM suggests.

Running_Horse

Bibliophile wrote: »

A specialist report was commissioned which, although not finding any damage from roots, recommended that the tree comes down.

If my neighbour had a report done which said my tree wasn't damaging their garage but could I have it removed anyway, I'd refuse as well. It is a shame trees around the country are being cut down by councils just in case.

One man locally cut down a protected yew tree near his garage extension just in case children from the nearby school were poisoned by eating its berries. Despite the fact that the school and tree had both been there for centuries.

One day we will miss all the urban trees and wildlife they supported.

bosseyed

I'd say that as the specialist report shows no damage from roots etc then its not a particular issue.

Large trees close to property become a problem if the roots are causing damage to foundations/drainage etc or they're likely to fall in strong winds or in a more minor fashion if they're just plain in the way and blocking all your light.

Not sure why the £2000 retention? Removing trees isn't expensive - I paid £300 from a tree surgery company to have a massive fir tree cut down, chipped and the stump ground out in my back garden as (according to the survey) it was causing damage to drainage, and potentially the foundations in the future. If they're holding £2000 for insurance purposes then surely they're covering a problem which according to your specialist report doesn't exist! And if it ever did become a subsidence/underpinning issue then £2000 wouldn't be anywhere near enough to cover the cost to put right.

If its a real deal breaker for you and the neighbours won't budge then walk away.

Fire_Fox

Are the neighbours willing to have the tree pollarded?

AMD1981

Are they definately retaining the money? The reason I ask is because on my survey they recommended £2k was retained until the electrics and gas had been inspected and brought up to date. The mortgage company didn't choose to retain it though. Its always worth double checking.

Jomo

It is a problem if there are over hanging branches that cause damage to your roof etc.

Don't buy it, you will have years of maintenance to pay for damage caused by someone elses tree!

Bibliophile_2

Update

I spoke to our lender to clarify the conditions on the mortgage. They said either we get the neighbour to agree to their tree coming down, with a £2000 retention until the work was complete OR get an insurance policy to cover any future damage the trees caused ie subsidence

Had a quick chat with our buildings insurers who said they wouldn't normally cover this kind of thing as they would alsays make a claim on the neighbours insurance.

Anyone with any experience of arranging this kind of insurance??