Liabilities/responsibility for trees on your property - neighbour damage

barbiedoll

They sound like a right pair of chancers...you've just moved in and you're supposed to alert your neighbours to any signs of damage to their property (caused by their neglect), AND pay for said damage too?

And don't even think about cutting down your tree unless it is causing anyone any damage. My guttering needs clearing out every year due to leaves from a tree in the garden two doors down. I reckon it's a small price to pay for hearing our local gobby blackbird singing his head off every morning and evening, from the branches.

I'd completely ignore them, if either of them come round anymore, tell them to foxtrot oscar. And do keep the card, preferably displayed in a prominent position on your windowsill!

[Deleted User]

I'd be tempted to say 'only contact us from now on through a legal representative'. Problem is, this could then get expensive to you as unless they got a 'sensible' rather than 'eye on the money' solicitor, it could escalate.

I'd ignore. And not answer the door to them anymore. Get the tree surgeon in but leave it at that.

DaftyDuck

Oh, and tell the tree surgeon NOT to touch any guttering, roofing, or blooming anything of theirs... or you may face a bill for "damages caused...."

Tygermoth

Unless there is a chance the roots are damaging their house i am not looking to do anything with the tree except bring it down under the roof line as it is over tall (only if its not going to negatively affect the tree - obviously)

The guy will not be touching the neighbours house at all.

PS i will be ignoring any correspondence from them as i don't want to trigger anything that could be considered a 'dispute'

Tygermoth

So the tree surgeon attended Sat. Looked over the tree and advised options and would send a quote.

As we were leaving the neighbors were waiting by his van - basically ambushed him. I hadn't really mentioned any of the issues as we were just looking at roots and pollarding - so they kinda took him by surprise (in retrospect i should have mentioned something)

The tree surgeon straight up told them that it was a eucalyptus - not a sliver birch as I thought you can tell I am not a gardener! - and didn't really drop leaves and not a great numbers and def not enough to break a cast iron gutter.

So i thought that was the end of it until i came home early today - very rare that i get a half day arrived to see the neighbors contractor in my garden! he just decided to put up a ladder and come on over my fence into our garden when we weren't in and fix the guttering.

lisa110rry

I haven't read the full thread, apologies I haven't time! I'd just like to say that with the tree being a eucalyptus it is probably helping to reduce dampness in the area. Eucalypts soak up an awful lot of water!

Mojisola

The dark patch on the wall looks some distance away from the downpipe.

Is the soil in your flowerbed high enough to breach their damp proof course?

FBaby

Well at least it seems he has now accepted liability and sorting it out himself. Terrible that he didn't see fit to inform you that a contractor would need to have access to your garden (did they jump over the fence?) and would point out that in the future, you would expect contact to request access, but I wouldn't go further than that because ultimately, what you want is him to sort out his issues rather than taking it further.

Tygermoth

The contractor put up the ladder one side and then the other to get over the fence.

the soil in the far corner is higher than we would like and are moving it - that will be done this week or next.

I agree least it all fixed now - but i am a touch miffed would never just climb over someones fence and enter their garden!

Giddypip

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