Bill from neighbours for tree damage

benedictadams

Read through all the responses and was surprised that the following hasn't been mentioned

I would get onto trading standards as the payment requested is far more than what anyone has so far suggested would be a reasonable rate.

Does the "friend" belong to a trade body and if so get onto them as I'm sure they would be very interested to know about high payments, trespass and theft

Next time neighbour contacts you let him know these two facts and it could be that the bill has been cancelled as his friend has decided it was for the good of the community and part of his charitable deeds

betsie

Thanks for all the comments. We have sorted it all out giving him what it would have cost us to get them moved.
All amicable and back to friendly nodding terms which is fine by us.

jemb

If he gets funny with you again, tell him you didn't want them all cutting down and will be sending him the bill for 4x 20 foot trees as they were on your side. Cost is about £100 per conifer on a quick google search. Checkmate.

building_with_lego

betsie wrote: »

Thanks for all the comments. We have sorted it all out giving him what it would have cost us to get them moved.
All amicable and back to friendly nodding terms which is fine by us.

You'll probably get a lot more comments in the next few days, betsie- this has gone into the email as the MMD

Mojisola

betsie wrote: »

Thanks for all the comments. We have sorted it all out giving him what it would have cost us to get them moved.

All amicable and back to friendly nodding terms which is fine by us.

So nice to hear of a good ending. You're very good neighbours - I hope they appreciate you.

mountainofdebt

building_with_lego wrote: »

You'll probably get a lot more comments in the next few days, betsie- this has gone into the email as the MMD

Just as a sideline,do you think that if a problem that has been posted on MSE is going to be used in the weekly email then the author should be contacted as a matter courtesy?

ratstar

:)I think you have done the right thing.you are the bigger person!
You will hopefully live happily and not worry over this.
What price peace of mind?:)

MartinWickham

Quote: "Give the bill to your insurance company and let them tell your neighbour that it's not your issue."

If it's "not your issue", then why would you give the bill to your insurance company?

jabdc5

The same thing happened to us a few years ago, a tree in our garden was blown over in a storm , took down the neighbour's fence and landed in his garden . We were on good terms so I told him I'd sort it out with my insurance company. Well they didn't want to know, their answer was "we insure your property not your neighbours. He'll have to claim on his own policy for the removal costs. I went and told him and he wasn't best pleased but he spoke to his insurance company and they sorted it all out.
Going back to the original post the only point I would make is that your neighbour instructed the tree people to remove the tree therefore the contract was between him and the contractor so he is liable for payment of the bill initially. It would be then up to him to try and claim it back from his insurance.

the-mango

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Just as a sideline,do you think that if a problem that has been posted on MSE is going to be used in the weekly email then the author should be contacted as a matter courtesy?

I agree. Especially when it's from two weeks ago and may have been solved in the meantime ( like in this case )