Trees close too close to a house?

GrubbyGirl_2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81976313#Comment_81976313

Have a look on street view to see if there are any earlier date views and look see of there is any significant change in size or if they were even there

Thurlow40

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81976308#Comment_81976308

That concerns me too. I don’t see it being a forever house so I’m sure I’ll need to sell in future. It’s all making me a bit nervous! 

Thank you.

Thurlow40

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81976318#Comment_81976318

good idea, thank you!

gwynlas

There is nothing to stop you procuring your own report on the trees requesting advice on future predicted growth and management.

Yes it would cost but any potential work would be the responsibility of the LA,

Albermarle

OP - When you viewed the house, did you have a really good look around ( for any signs of movement for example), or was it just a quick visit?

You could request another viewing maybe?

Are the owners still living there? Maybe a chat with them would be useful?

Thurlow40

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81976633#Comment_81976633

Thank you. Yes, it sounds like that’s the way to go.

Do you mean the LA would need to do the required work on the trees or pay for the possible damage to any houses? That might be a silly question, sorry!

Thurlow40

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81976686#Comment_81976686

A pretty quick look around really but I’m going back this week.

It’s been let go and is a bit neglected as it had a tenant in it for a number of years.

I guess I’m looking for diagonal cracks, any other tell tale signs?

As I mentioned on my first post, the house was on the market for almost a year, very rare in my area so I’m now worried this is the reason

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81977217#Comment_81977217

The way it normally works is the resident gets a report saying the trees are a problem, and sends that to the council.

The council's tree expert takes a look and decides there is no problem.

Forcing the council to do anything means taking them to court, but the court is unlikely to side with you unless the tree is clearly dangerous, or you can provide compelling evidence the tree is actually causing damage.

If the trees do cause damage then you'd need to make a claim against the council. Their insurers may pay up, but more likely the council will dispute liability, especially if the trees were there before the houses.

Some councils will roll over and remove/reduce the tree on the first time of asking - but in my experience the above is more likely.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81977225#Comment_81977225

Obviously any large cracks are a red flag. The usual rule of thumb is if they are wide enough to fit a pound coin in sideways, then that is a worry.

Also doors/windows sticking, or the openings obviously not square.

Have a close look around the bottom of the walls outside, to see of any uneven settlement, or heave.

HobgoblinBT

I own a 1960s house that is built on clay soil that had two poplar trees, one 5m away from our extension and one about 10m away that caused “heave” the opposite of subsidence. The insurance claim amount, fully covered the rebuilding of the 6m x 4m extension apart from the modest £250 excess, was such that it was greater than the buildings insurance premiums that I have paid in the following 36 years.

I would be very cautious of buying a house close to large trees. If you are determined to investigate further, as well as getting a specialist report, I would ask the vendor about buildings insurance premiums and any difficulty/ increased premiums they may have had to pay, and get an insurance quote, disclosing that that there are nearby tall trees and consider the results of your enquiries in making a decision of whether to purchase. If you proceed ask your solicitor to include similar questions in their enquiries, if not in their standard questions before contract.