Rights with neighbours overhanging trees?

edgex

That conifer needs to go.

If you think the owner could be awkward about getting it done, it may be worth your while to offer a reasonable amount towards the work just to get it done, say £50/100.

M00nface

edgex said:

That conifer needs to go.

If you think the owner could be awkward about getting it done, it may be worth your while to offer a reasonable amount towards the work just to get it done, say £50/100.

Would definitely be willing to offer a contribution if it means it would go for sure, I will contact the letting agents and ask if I am have the owners contact details, preferably email so I can have anything in writing. Thanks so much.

M00nface

So contacted the Letting agent and turns out they don't actually manage the property, I guess maybe just advertise it. They couldn't give me the LL details as against GDPR which Is understandable, so offered to pass my email on to them. Can only hope they get back in touch. Anyone know what else I can do if they don't? Seeming as it would only be tenants at the property now.

lookstraightahead

The tenants will know the landlord.

Alter_ego

lookstraightahead said:

The tenants will know the landlord.

The Land registry also!

M00nface

princeofpounds said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

Nothing constructive to add except I think it should be illegal to plant / cultivate new trees within spitting distance of a boundary.

Someone should tell those trees to stop spreading seeds.

M00nface said:

princeofpounds said:

High hedges act only applies to two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen plants, or mixed hedges that are predominantly-so. As you only have one conifer it does not seem to apply in your case.

You are at liberty to cut down any branches that overhang the boundary at your own expense. In theory you are supposed to offer the cuttings back to them. That assumes there is no Tree Preservation Order on the trees, which is unlikely in this circumstance but can be quickly checked with the council.

What do you mean by 'tree droppings? Leaves? Sycamore seeds? Pinecones?

If the tree is causing damage to your building (roots or branches) despite you taking reasonable steps to cut it back on your side, then you can put the neighbouring owner 'on notice' for creating a legal nuisance. That will make them liable for any further damage.

Honestly in your situation I would probably do the following:

- speak to your neighbouring owner about the trees, either through the letting agent or direct. 
- specifically ask them to cut down the conifer, as it is very close to the building and will potentially cause damage to e.g. your gutter or gable end.
- negotiate pruning of the sycamores.
- follow up in writing, specifically to put them on notice re the potential for damage.
- if they are indecisive, at the very least cut back to the boundary where appropriate. Also consider offering a modest cash contribution to get more comprehensive work done - it's not 'right' but it may sway them to get it done.

Thankyou so much for this information! Really helpful. When I say droppings I literally mean everything that can and will fall off a tree. Leaves, twigs, blossom from the tree next to the conifer, the little brown nub things from conifers (excuse the lack of tree knowledge haha) those are the things the cat tries to eat anyway but they are the ones that fall constantly along with the blossom. The gutters are full of conifer bits including leaves.

Pine cones? (or Fir cones, I didn't look that closely at the picture)...

I know a cat might like to play with them. Even chew them. But actually eat them in any real quantity? That's unusual. They aren't poisonous but they are fibrous and resinous. Perhaps your cat is craving some roughage in its diet.

They don't quite look like the fully formed cones you get, they're smaller and brown. I'm not really sure. My cat eats a combination of wet and hard food mainly for his teeth so not really sure why he likes to eat them.

M00nface

lookstraightahead said:

The tenants will know the landlord.

Yes would they be allows to pass on his details? I guess I could leave a letter or something they could pass on.

shinytop

M00nface said:

lookstraightahead said:

The tenants will know the landlord.

Yes would they be allows to pass on his details? I guess I could leave a letter or something they could pass on.

I don't think, in the real world, the tenants are going to consider data protestion law when making the decision. If they want the tree down they will be helpful and pass the details on; if not they won't. 

FreeBear

M00nface said: So contacted the Letting agent and turns out they don't actually manage the property, I guess maybe just advertise it. They couldn't give me the LL details as against GDPR which Is understandable,

You have a legitimate interest in the LL's name & address - The GDPR allows for the sharing of this type of information with a 3rd party such as yourself.

M00nface

So have managed to get in contact early this afternoon with the owner via whatsapp as he emailed me back from the estate agents email. Has read but not responded yet. So will have to wait and see. This is also the over hang in our garden from the tree next to the conifer.