Garden hedge issue

worried123

Can anyone tell me the real legalities of a hedge issue.  I have tried researching but remain unsure.

I have a privet hedge that borders between mine and my neighbours back gardens.  It is growing in my garden an neighbour has a low fence tight against it.  (we both rent our homes from a housing association).

I have always maintained this hedge having a gardener cut and trim 4 times a year.   I grew it high for privacy.  My neighbour has never maintained her side of the hedge at all allowing it to literally billow out with feet long branches, will be approached by landlord to sort her garden out and then she will literally hack huge great clumps out of it shocking it and half killing it every time causing gaps and holes in the hedge, etc....nightmare.

Neighbour has decided to become difficult about the height of my hedge  (we co not get on - major issues) and keeps acosting me saying...hedge 2 metres the law.  I have now had my gardener in to reduce the height and it stands at around 7 foot - where she has allowed it to grow out of control her side we did not cut right across to her side at the top but certainly to the end of the boundary line.....my poor hedge looks very sad and shocked having had a couple of feet chopped off in one go...but to apease her....stop her causing potential trouble.
Naturally, as we have not cut right across the top to along her side because she has allowed it to grow out of hand (it is up to her to maintain her side of it and to cut the top that she has allowed to grow over the boundery) and from her side it looks as though we have done nothing...indeed, she has no idea of what my side looks like and i think she might be shocked at how neat it looks.   

She has been taking photos of the hedge etc since i cut it....can she legally do anything if my hedge is 7 foot my side perfectly maintained but her side is high and overhanging etc......Thank you.   I suspect that if she has to pay the council to put the situation to them she will not.  surely the council could not be bothered with a 7 foot privet hedge anyway?  I am unsure.

Simonon77

Would it not have been easier just to cut all the way across the top so it was the same height all across? It's a bit petty to only cut your side, and would probably save you a lot of hassle from her

GrumpyDil

Probably doesn't help now but what law limits a hedge to 2 metres? As far as I am aware and can find on a quick search there is no general limitation on hedge height. 

subjecttocontract

I have a high hedge. I cut it twice a year. I always ask the neighbour if they would like me to cut their side. They always say yes and allow me access. I clear up the cuttings both sides......peace and tranquillity continues. I view the extra work as part of having a hedge.

Why can't you do that ?

Flugelhorn

GrumpyDil said:

Probably doesn't help now but what law limits a hedge to 2 metres? As far as I am aware and can find on a quick search there is no general limitation on hedge height. 

agree - it is fences that are limited to 2m without planning permission, nothing to do with hedges - a great many hedges are > 2m

Simonon77

My hedges at the back of my garden are around 5 metres tall.  There are rules about how high you can have a fence, but nothing about hedges. I think this is where your neighbour is getting confused

FreeBear

https://www.bradford.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/trees-and-tree-preservation-orders/high-hedges-and-hedgerow-regulations/ seems to cover the subject of tall hedges quite well.

Neighbour has thoughtfully planted a hedge along my boundary with a mix of laurel, conifer, and a buddleia - Once in a while, I'll get the chainsaw out and hack it back to the fence line. Being some 2.4m high, it does block out sunlight in the mornings, but I can live with that for now.

worried123

Simonon77 said:

Would it not have been easier just to cut all the way across the top so it was the same height all across? It's a bit petty to only cut your side, and would probably save you a lot of hassle from her

we could not really reach that far to be honest she has allowed her side to grow outwards so much

worried123

GrumpyDil said:

Probably doesn't help now but what law limits a hedge to 2 metres? As far as I am aware and can find on a quick search there is no general limitation on hedge height. 

This is where i am confused as i read there is a common misconception that a hedge can not be higher than 2 metres legally but there is no legal restrictions on hedge heights.  I have also read the council can take action if the hedge is 2 metres and blocking somebodies light.

twopenny

Is there some reason she won't maintain it her side?

Does she keep the rest of her garden tidy?

I had a tall hedge between me and council property and when they had groundsmen they did their side. Then they got rid of groundsmen and I did trim both sides while I could but eventually an injury prevented me from doing that. Their ground crew that maintained all council properties did then come in and do it so I guess that says that it was their side to do or I would have got notice to maintain.

Don't worry about the state of your hedge. It will recover.

worried123

subjecttocontract said:

I have a high hedge. I cut it twice a year. I always ask the neighbour if they would like me to cut their side. They always say yes and allow me access. I clear up the cuttings both sides......peace and tranquillity continues. I view the extra work as part of having a hedge.

Why can't you do that ?

I completely agree with what you do and indeed what used to happen with my old neighbour in fact either of us would do the hedge.  There are major issues with this neighbour who is mentally ill and we have as many visits from the police as we do the postman and i do not have anything to do with her.....and hence high hedge