Request to trim tree in garden

Mojisola

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

Well they aren't going to pay to have one tree removed when the other three are causing the bulk of the problem, are they!

Then they are going to have to live with the tree as it is.

Putting a restrictive covenant on the house would cause problems down the line. I'm not even sure if the mortgage company would allow it.

No, no, no!
Don't add insult to injury by insisting on this! In any case, if they are paying then they should have choice of contractor. This is advantageous to you OP as you will not be involved in any chasing for late payment.

If the work is being done in my garden, I would want the contract with the workmen. If they damage something or don't do the job properly, the neighbour isn't going to pursue them for something that doesn't affect him.

If the work is done and the neighbour refuses to pay, the OP would be left with the bill.

How bizarre!
You're seriously suggesting that people would be deterred from purchasing because they are pevented from growing huge trees?
Look, nobody's going to pay for the OP's pruning if they might be faced with the same problem a few years later with new neighbours.

Then they can carry on living as things are. They are the ones who want things to change.

Kernel_Sanders

Mojisola wrote: »

If the work is being done in my garden, I would want the contract with the workmen. If they damage something or don't do the job properly, the neighbour isn't going to pursue them for something that doesn't affect him.

If the work is done and the neighbour refuses to pay, the OP would be left with the bill.

You misunderstand. If the neighbour uses uninsured contractors then s/he is liable for any damage. Indeed, any damage would be claimable directly from the neighbour in any case, because it would be they who had authorized the work. If they stuggle to recoup the loss from their contractor, then that is no concern of the OP. Similarly, payment for the contract would not involve the OP (despite being performed on their own property) and therefore they would not be left with the bill.

Mojisola

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

You misunderstand. If the neighbour uses uninsured contractors then s/he is liable for any damage. Indeed, any damage would be claimable directly from the neighbour in any case, because it would be they who had authorized the work. If they stuggle to recoup the loss from their contractor, then that is no concern of the OP. Similarly, payment for the contract would not involve the OP (despite being performed on their own property) and therefore they would not be left with the bill.

Even if the neighbour used insured contractors, the contract would be between the neighbour and the contractor but the work would be done in the OP's garden. If the OP had any damage done, s/he would have to go through the neighbour to sort it out. Once the tree was down, the neighbour might not be interested in pursuing a contractor for something that doesn't affect him.

adouglasmhor

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

Or if not, then apply for one

That's just nasty. Well played sir

adouglasmhor

Mojisola wrote: »

Even if the neighbour used insured contractors, the contract would be between the neighbour and the contractor but the work would be done in the OP's garden. If the OP had any damage done, s/he would have to go through the neighbour to sort it out. Once the tree was down, the neighbour might not be interested in pursuing a contractor for something that doesn't affect him.

But are you not jointly and severaly responsible for the actions of your contractors?

forgotmyname

Tell them you didnt buy the house. You passed the letters onto the owner and they said go away.

But in a less polite manner. Tell them to contact him directly infuture. But do call the police 1st as you now know he is not a nice man.

DaftyDuck

The picture sent by the neighbour, of the lack of light from their conservatory does NOT show any of the tree in Bunberry's garden.

I'd send the letter back, simply marked "These trees are not in my garden. Thanks"

uk_messer

Did they really request you cut the trees? If so, it sounds rather cheeky and would put my back up. If asked in the right manner I would certainly want to be accomodating to neighbours.

Are their houses relatively new build, compared to yours? Just wondering if it hasn't been a case of a new estate being built behind older properties and then residents of older properties peeved their privacy was removed and planting these trees.

keystone

My reading is that this has been going on for some time. The previous occupants of your house wouldn't play ball so they are trying it on with you in the hope that you cave and once you have then they have a stick to beat next door (who are the bigger "problem") with and who also have previously told them to jog on.

Those trees have been there for some considerable time. They haven't just sprung up overnight.

Why on earth does it need a full A4 sheet when a small note through the door asking for "a chat about the tree over a cuppa" would have sufficed?

I'd ignore it amd smile politely when you see them next.

Cheers

Edit: and if you are happy to see it gone then do it on your terms and in your timescale not theirs.

bunberry

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

OK then, the first step is to confer with your side neighbour, who must also have received requests at some stage. I have an idea which might just work: if your side neighbour agrees, approach the victim* and offer him the chance to pay for the trees' removal (or severe pruning!). In return, you both sign an undertaking to keep all vegetation below x feet (I think this is called a 'restrictive covenant', and is binding on whomsoever the house is sold to). It could be that they will bite your hand off for the certainty of sunlight on their garden in perpetuity. Alternatively, they could view such a proposal as downright cheek!

* This is how I would feel if I were your end-neighbour!

Horizon81 wrote: »

Do you seriously want to set up a restrictive covenant? If you ever sell your house that would deter future buyers! If you want them to pay to cut it then put the idea out there but don't set up any covenants.

We're really not keen on signing anything, especially since we have no complaints about the tree.