Query about overgrown vegetation

Guest101

Hi MSE'rs

I wonder if you can help. I currently rent a home, on a fairly new developement, but which has been adopted by the council.

My house comes with an allocated parking spot, which is right next to some communal land, for which the council is responsible.

I have complained that the vegetation is leaking sap and creating an obstruction. The sap stick to the surfaces of my car, and in particular the windows. Which causes damage when they are opened and closed.

This isn't a simple wipe with water issue, last time i took it to a car wash, and that's when i complained. (moved around 3 weeks ago).

The council didnt seem bothered when i complained first time, and i wonder, now that i have reported this, can i request reimbursement for this carwash (only the basic wash is required) - I would do it myself but the parking space is away from the house, around 30/40 feet of hose would be required and im on a water meter!

Im happy to be reasonable with them, but after 8 days i thought i'd get an update.

RichardD1970

Bucket and sponge? Shouldn't use car washes as they are generally bad for your paint work.

OddballJamie

Can't see you getting anywhere trying to claim for a few quid to wash your car once in three weeks. Get a cheap pair of shears and go to town

warehouse

OP, any chance of some pictures?

WestonDave

By the sounds of it, you are parking under a tree and yes trees drop fine sap droplets which are sticky but from experience if you give it a quick wash with a bucket and sponge before its had chance to bake on, its washes off nicely. I'd also consider giving the car a polish with something like Autoglym super resin polish which will make it slide off all the better.

Bottom line is - council are not going to cut down a tree or trees just to solve a summer problem with sap on your car, and no they aren't liable for it - it comes with the territory of renting that house. Depending on the terms of your rental you may be able to trim back branches which overhang "your" property which may reduce the problem.

The only other option than cleaning it off is to move to somewhere which doesn't have a parking space under a tree.

OddballJamie

warehouse wrote: »

OP, any chance of some pictures?

You want pics of the OPs big bush?
Saucy b*gger

Guest101

warehouse wrote: »

OP, any chance of some pictures?

Yes sure, will do. Will get some when I go pick up the kids from school.

WestonDave wrote: »

By the sounds of it, you are parking under a tree and yes trees drop fine sap droplets which are sticky but from experience if you give it a quick wash with a bucket and sponge before its had chance to bake on, its washes off nicely. I'd also consider giving the car a polish with something like Autoglym super resin polish which will make it slide off all the better.

Bottom line is - council are not going to cut down a tree or trees just to solve a summer problem with sap on your car, and no they aren't liable for it - it comes with the territory of renting that house. Depending on the terms of your rental you may be able to trim back branches which overhang "your" property which may reduce the problem.

The only other option than cleaning it off is to move to somewhere which doesn't have a parking space under a tree.

Yes unfortunately with the weather the way it is, it would be a daily task, and without trying to sounds big or anything, i really dont have the opportunity to do this. Got a 1 year old, so cant leave him alone whilst i go clean and cant clean with him running off into the road. (i accept once or twice i could do this, but no everyday)

Ill check out that polish, hit up the local halfords.

Are you sure about them not bein liable? It is their property which overhangs, and if it was a neighbour, they would do it and charge the neighbour, if he/she refused to do it themselves. - there's no mention of trimming back branches etc in the rental.

Like i said i just moved 3 weeks ago, so stuck in a tenancy, and to be fair, shouldnt really have to move because the council cant trim back their property. I do pay council tax after all.

OddballJamie wrote: »

Saucy b*gger

I hope he meant the car...

Guest101

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Bucket and sponge? Shouldn't use car washes as they are generally bad for your paint work.

Yep, i was hoping it would be sorted quickly, but no luck so far.

OddballJamie wrote: »

Can't see you getting anywhere trying to claim for a few quid to wash your car once in three weeks. Get a cheap pair of shears and go to town

My missus has already said, get down to b&q and get a chainsaw and take the tree down. But knowing the council, id get done for damaging their property.

It's really about the principle, if I start charging them £2 every few weeks, it'll actually cost them more in man hours paying me than sorting it. Not bothered about the money really

OddballJamie

Just use shears at night and bag up the rubbish.

I know of someone who even though they didn't park on the grass outside their house, the council put a big metal 'no parking on the grass' sign really close to the kerb. So even if you parked legally on the road you couldn't get out of the car due to the sign. That went missing late one night *whistle*.

muckybutt

Here you go problem solved http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7405794.htm
or http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7405433.htm

End of problem

paddedjohn

You can cut any over hanging branches off the trees/shrubs and offer them back to the council.