Tree Roots causing damage

thrifty_not_tight

Hi
I have been living in my first Freehold Property for 2.5 years and a few months ago I notined that tree routs are growing across my small lawn towards the house and appear to have lifted one of the paving slabs.

The tree is not in anyone's garden so as far as I can see is the responsibility of the managing company.

As I didn't receive a response to my emails I referred my complaint to the Ombudsman. They acknowedged my complaint a month ago but I've heard nothing else.

Co Pilot has given me good advice but I thought I'd ask real  people if they had any experience of a similar issue.

One suggestion on  Co Pilot was notify home insurers.

I would appreciate any advice.

TIA

MyRealNameToo

Home insurance typically won't cover you taking preventative steps but if you contact them they will likely register a claim then decline it which you will then have to declare for 5 years. 

If you have Legal Expenses on your home insurance then they may be able to assist, or at least give you better ideas. LE cover doesnt count as a claim so doesnt need to be declared generally going forward, especially if it's just the use of their advice line. 

How tall are the trees? How far are they from your building? 

You can take other more practical steps like installing a root barrier. Sometimes the council will be willing to get involved but not always before actual damage has been caused

thrifty_not_tight

Thanks for the helpful advice about insurance.

Its a private unadopted estate so the council won't get involved. And its not on land belonging to a house from what I can see.

greyteam1959

What sort of trees are they ??
Pictures would be good. 

gwynlas

You need to check council website to see if there is a Tree Preseervation Order in place, if tere is permission will be needed to do anything.

Are you paying an estate charge for maintenance?

Albermarle

Some trees send out root suckers, which can extend for many metres and then new growth can pop up in your lawn or flower beds. They do not go very deep and tend to grow along quite close to the surface.
I think plum and cherry trees do this, amongst others.
So although a nuisance, they are not the same as huge tree roots that can cause subsidence, heave etc .
However if you dig them out of the lawn, it will need some restoration work.

TELLIT01

If the root is lifting paving slabs I would be inclined to trace it back as far as possible from the house, then expose and cut it.  Cutting a single root isn't likely to have any effect on the tree.  If possible then remove the cut section of root, or as much as you can to stop any suckers developing.

thrifty_not_tight

I do pay a management company a fee and feel this should be their responsibility.
Out the blue I received a response from the Management Company apologising for the delay and saying they will look into it and get back to me.
If I need more advice I will add photos.
Thank you in the meantime.