Bill from neighbours for tree damage

oldtrout

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.

Pleased to hear you've sorted it amicably.

At least this week's MMD is a real one, and we have feedback from the OP about what happened.

building_with_lego

Usually the team take the OP and rename it, starting it as a new thread. I'm surprised that this time it's linked directly to the actual poster's thread. And yes, in this case especially, I would expect them to let you know it was going in (although one of my threads was OS Thread Of The Week and they didn't tell me then.)

al223

They wanted you to keep them when you wanted rid of them, they offered to pay for their maintenance, so should also pay for chopping them down, but then they have also stolen your trees, so present them with a bill for the trees they have stolen, £700 seems about right. If they argue this tell them you'll take them to court as they stole your trees without discussing it with you.

juliamarsh

Good to hear you have found a resolution to the problem but I don't envy you living next door to the neighbours from hell!! This particular issue might have been resolved but what will they do next? Just for information, as it is a bit late to have posted this as a MMD, a tree fell from my garden into a neighbour's garden years back and when I rang my insurers they said the neighbour would have to claim on his own insurance. In November a huge willow tree fell from my garden into our local pub's garden, making one hell of a mess. The landlord knocked on my door to advise me in the morning, I got somebody in to fell and clear it (it took a few days to find someone and get them round but no pressure from the landlord). Once cleared, amazingly you would never have known anything had happened, I kept the wood for my woodburner and the landlord knocked on my door again to thank me for sorting it out and job well done. That is how neighbours should behave towards one another! Incidentally I was charged £150 for felling and clearing a really massive tree. Don't give him back the wood either - what a nerve! I will have it if you don't want it! :-)

alggomas

Your reason for you or them not speaking because of religious beliefs is unacceptable.
You were there when they were cutting the trees. You could have asked then.
Suggestion of getting two quotes (you may have to pay) is a good one.
I would take this suggestion to the Citizens Advice Bureau. This is what I would have done.

joehoover

Harking back to my Law A-Level days, I know if your tree overhangs someones garden they have every right to cut the offending parts off BUT they have to throw them back over your side. I remember this one as it always struck me as funny. Of course as people it is better to speak to each other first as whilst it is legal to do that it doesn't help neighbour relations!

I would then expect by the same token that if something you own has caused damage then it is your responsibility, though whether it would be deemed reasonable to act immediately and pay £700 and bill you is up for debate. I would assume no, as an act of throwing branches back isn't costing anything, but if there are bills involved then I would expect you to be given an opportunity to receive quotes yourself.

It is always deemed as what is 'reasonable' what would the average person do? So if it is then deemed unreasonable to not give you a chance to correct this especially given it was in a storm and you may not even have been aware of it then they have acted unreasonably in not speaking to you first to give you the opportunity to resolve it.

Suggest you get a few quotes quickly and decide if this is an extortionate charge or not. Claim on insurance etc. If deemed to high, I would point this out and agree a compromise.

ivanbrownbear

Pthree wrote: »

Might this be covered by your buildings insurance?

I dont have a clue about this kind of this as I rent so dont have it, but it seems like the kind of thing that should be?

No not usually. Unless added as a "sales ploy" this is not something usually covered by standard policies. Always worth checking though.

joannie

Hi,

if your neighbour called the tree surgeons in then he should pay them. You should have been consulted and werenot. NO you do not have to pay them. It fell into his garden and his insurance will pay.:

Lockie21

I have just had a very large tree removed from my front garden so that I can widen the driveway. I rang the council and asked them if they knew of any reputable tree surgeons and they gave me a couple of telephone numbers. One of them came down and removed the tree (within days) it cost me £350 he took away all the tree. I then brought down a stump remover who charged £120. So I think £700 is excessive. Ring your council and speak to them.

Ronaldo_Mconaldo

Did you ever consider that the cult set all this up? Maybe they just chopped your trees down and claimed the wind did it and then they bill you? Be careful with these people, have you noticed a large wicker man being built in their garden possibly using your timber?