Conifers

Davesnave

I'd have a chat with next door and see what they're like. If your potential vendor reduced the trees to that extent, they can't be too intimidating! Maybe it's a matter of the cost to remove, or maybe they're obstructive, thick, or whatever, but you'll only find out by speaking with them.

I'd be up-front, explain that I was thinking of buying, but the trees were worrying me. See what they say and let them do as much talking as possible.

In the final analysis these are conifers, so the root structure will be compact. Provided one can get a digger in with sufficient reach, the roots could be made even more compact, with a nice trench left to ensure they stay that way, if necessary.

Difficult, mean or boorish neighbours can't be fixed with technology, so speaking with those either side should be a matter of course, for whatever property you seriously consider buying.

Best of luck.

lexilex

Thanks for the advice.

I am waiting for the estate agency to call me for feedback on the viewing. I don't want to call as I am trying my best not to appear too eager. Hopefully we will know more by this evening. I spent last night dreaming about trees!

pinkteapot

Personally I wouldn't touch it. The problem is that those trees will never be under your control. You can ask all you like, but if the neighbours never get round to pruning them there's not a lot you can do. If you end up having a dispute with them, you'll have to declare it when you sell. If the conifers are large and/or messy when you want to move, it'll put off potential buyers.

It's always possible that you'll move into a house and subsequently have a problem neighbour move in. But why take on a house with a problem next door that you already know about?

I agonised over this house:
http://www.zoopla.co.uk/property-history/53-coach-road/great-horkesley/colchester/co6-4ax/29048581

It was perfect for us, but the conifers at the back of the garden (see last pics) were completely overbearing, and were in the garden behind. They are at least neatly cut at the moment, but there's not guarantee they would have been in the future. The house was lovely inside and not badly priced for the area. It's just come off the market having been up for sale for ages. I can only assume the conifers but everyone else off too, as other things are selling around here.

If you go for it, have a full buildings survey done and speak to the surveyor beforehand and ask him/her to specifically look for any signs of damage caused by the roots.

I would also have a CCTV drains survey down (around £100). Tree roots growing into your drains can cause all sorts of problems and be quite expensive to resolve.

lexilex

Thanks for all the advice.

I spoke to the estate agent. They told me most of them had been cut down and they didn't think there would be a problem, I explained the pavers in the garden are already moving. Apparently they're going to have a word with the guy who did the valuation and ring me back.

I've knocked on the neighbours door this afternoon but no answer.

Lord_Baltimore

Personally speaking I wouldn't contemplate a property that was causing me consternation before I'd even made an offer.

These trees are an issue; you should be looking forward to moving in not worrying about trees. The trees could affect your light and your drains and they may become a source of dispute with your new neighbour. Seriously, you can do without it.

This is a head over heart issue. Find another place; there are plenty around for you to move in and enjoy from day 1 without making compromises.

Btw, even compact roots will be fibrous and suck a lot of moisture from the soil abutting your proposed property.

witchy1066

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I tend to think that, with goodwill, a new resident of a house can manage to fulfil any promise they have made to remove conifers within weeks. I have only just moved into my new house and no-one has even asked me to remove mine. I've already had them removed and not a trace remains. I think my new neighbours like me:D:rotfl:

that is one of the 1st things I will be doing , when/if I ever move into the house , 2 conifers along the side fence quite away from the actual property but the neighbours have already asked our seller what our thoughts are on them :rotfl: polite :rotfl:

those damn trees cause more trouble and more stress than anything else :eek: oh how I hate them
10 ft away from the house is 10ft to close

any other tree is fine but laylandia and conifers :mad:

OP I am sure it will OK but must admit 3ft does seem is a bit close , your surveyor should pick up on this if its a problem

aliby21

3ft is scarily close, I'd be worried.

Also, to throw another spanner in the works, if the people are selling after only four months (have I got it right now, the owners of the house you are wanting to buy have only been there that long?), there might be problems with getting a mortgage - this has come up on the thread i started :

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4785170

"back to back selling" on second page

lexilex

aliby21 wrote: »

Also, to throw another spanner in the works, if the people are selling after only four months (have I got it right now, the owners of the house you are wanting to buy have only been there that long?), there might be problems with getting a mortgage - this has come up on the thread i started :

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4785170

"back to back selling" on second page

Not heard of that before! Will query that, thanks

I spoke to the EA again today and we've arranged a second viewing. Going to take my builder Dad along. EA said vendor had a survey completed and whilst there were warnings that the conifers could cause problems in the future there are no issues currently. Obviously not taking that as gospel.

Still hoping to speak to the neighbour before the viewing but catching them in is proving to be a problem. Hoping to have a word with a surveyor who is a friend of a friend too.

I am also wondering whether there is maybe more to the dispute. It's only just occured to me that there is no for sale board up outside the house. I am wondering if vendor is wanting to keep the sale quiet for a reason.

pinkteapot

Don't take the EA's word about a previous survey being OK - always instruct your own.

And you'll have to declare them to your house insurer. Most don't like trees within about 15 feet of the house.

lexilex

pinkteapot wrote: »

Don't take the EA's word about a previous survey being OK - always instruct your own.

And you'll have to declare them to your house insurer. Most don't like trees within about 15 feet of the house.

I don't believe a word they say but it made me feel a little bit better, and we are still interested enough to view again and look more closely.

I got quotes for house insurance before viewing the house as we wasn't 100% about the area. I've since got quotes with the trees listed and the premium hasn't changed strangely.

Another question, if we were to buy the house and if we had problems in the future, who would be responsible for the damage? Would it be down for us to claim on our own insurance or does the neighbour hold responsibility as they own the trees?