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Are my neighbours tree ‘surgeons’ allowed to jump the fence into my garden?

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1122abc
1122abc Posts: 149 Forumite
Fifth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
edited 21 December 2021 at 12:01PM in House buying, renting & selling
My partner and I have just bought our first house. Therefore, I don’t have a lot of experience with what is and isn’t normal neighbour behaviour. We live in a middle (?high) class area, however I grew up working class. We both have respected professional jobs hence our new location but I still don’t feel like I fit in around here, I’m also British born to 1st gen immigrants in a predominantly English area, so I don’t want to cause a fuss and be “that” neighbour. My partner is also not white. 

I’ve just come back from a 13.5 hour night shift. I’m exhausted. I was in the shower and I heard banging at my front door. I ignored it as I wasn’t expecting a delivery. I came out of the downstairs shower in a towel and I walked into the kitchen/diner that opens up to the garden with bifold windows. My intention was to grab paracetamol quickly hence I kept my towel on. 

I saw four men in my garden. One with a very long lopper, all in black hoodies, joggers and one with a puffer jacket. I was really petrified. Long story short, they said that they need to cut my neighbour’s tree. I said I didn’t know this was happening today. They replied “well we knocked”, shrugged their shoulders and set up a ladder. I asked if they needed my permission to be in my garden but they said they don’t, because they are cutting down the tree which is the neighbours property and they’re actually doing my a favour by improving my view. 

I would be so grateful for opinions. Surely the neighbour could just post a quick note to let me know that the tree people are coming and will be in my garden - at least so I know? They are in right now, as the couple were briefly in their garden admiring their slaughtered tree. We moved in in March but have only seen them once but haven’t had the chance to smile or say hello just yet. We work super long hours so barely see each other let alone neighbours. 

Sorry it’s so long, my questions are
1. Can the tree surgeons legally jump the fence into my garden?
2. Shouldn’t your neighbour inform you if their workmen will be working on your property?

thanks!
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Comments

  • maisie_cat
    maisie_cat Posts: 2,136 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Academoney Grad
    I always thought that maintenance access was always allowed.
    If they knocked and you didn't answer they presumably thought you were out. 
    Good neighbourly relations require compromise and biting of lips in my experience.
  • theartfullodger
    theartfullodger Posts: 15,694 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 21 December 2021 at 12:24PM
    Yes of course they are, with your permission.


    Do the decent thing and permit it.  Or do you want to have to declare a dispute with neighours when you sell.

    You know, British values of decency and fair play.
  • 74jax
    74jax Posts: 7,930 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    When we had to go into our neighbours (and I mean my workmen, not me) we supplied the liability insurance and took before and photos - with neighbours permission.  I also gave a couple of days /times to fit in with them. 
    Forty and fabulous, well that's what my cards say....
  • theoretica
    theoretica Posts: 12,691 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Reminds me of the first time I found a strange man on top of my wall with a ladder as I left for work one morning.  Definitely a shock.  On enquiry he was a window cleaner for further down the row and while I would rather they didn't, I see different window cleaners going over other people's walls too and it isn't worth being a pain over.  Mainly I think I would just appreciate if someone had told me it went on in the area so I wasn't surprised by it.
    But a banker, engaged at enormous expense,
    Had the whole of their cash in his care.
    Lewis Carroll
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