Neighbours are threatening to take legal action if I don't have my trees cut down. What options do I have?

Question

Ever since our neighbours moved in next door they have complained about our 25ft tall connifer trees in the garden, which block the sunlight from their garden in the afternoon. At their request we had them cut down by about 10 feet 5 years ago, which cost about £800. They have since grown back and the neighbours have sent us a letter saying we have until the 1st of May to cut the trees down or they are going to take legal action. I cannot afford to keep paying to have the trees trimmed and I have been told it will cost at least £4000 to have the trees all cut down completely and taken away. I am on income support as I am a full time carer for my disabled son, and my my income is very low. What options do I have? Advice very much appreciated! Thanks

Answer 1

you have two distinct options :

cut the tree down; or

dont cut the tree down;

if you choose not to cut the tree down negotiate with your neighbours.

Explain to them your problem, and see if you can come up with any solutions.

Answer 2

Just an opinion here, but I would think that the trees being on your property they have no right to ask you to trim or cut the trees down. The trees were there when the moved in and they should have seen the situation at that time.

Is there any kind of free legal aid in the UK that you could ask about your legal rights in this case? Or maybe the city/village government offices could help you answer your question.

I agree since you would be doing them the favor of removing the trees they should pay for the work since they request it.

Very selfish people imho.

Answer 3

What I would do. Knock at their door asking to speak with them regarding the trees. Tell them you cannot afford to have the trees cut again, but are quite happy for them to cut them down to size. What can they say to that?? You're being a good neighbour and willing to have the trees lowered. I think you should get help from the council though. They do normally help those in need. Just phone the office and find out. 25ft is a high tree, if you can get them down to 8ft at least you can keep them under control for the coming years.

Answer 4

Politely ask your neighbours for assistance cuting down the trees. If they are really upset about the trees then they shouldn't mind helping out. If you hire a coupe of saws and a woodchipper you could probably do it your self in a day or two without costing more than £100-200.

Secondly, there have been a number of cases where the owners of connifers have been given fines or AntiSocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOS). The height and affect of your trees can be seen as a public nuisance and can lower the value of your neighbours' property. They are well within their rights to take legal action.

Answer 5

I do not see how your neighbours can make you cut down the tree if it has been there for so long, ask your local council or citizens advice first, and these days you might not even be allowed to cut up a green thing. If you find they have an argument tell them they can cut it at their expense.

Answer 6

Here, the neighbor would not have any sayso about trees that are in YOUR yard. There is no way they could make you cut them or that they could take any kind of legal action against you.

I would suggest that you call a lawyer and just ask the question to them. I'll bet that you are fine with your trees like they are.

I would not even CONSIDER taking the trees down unless I WANTED them down!!!!!

Answer 7

If the trees were 25 feet high when the neighbours bought their house then they have no right to complain as the situation was plain for them to see when they viewed the house. If they want the trees removed then tell them that they will have to pay for the privilege.

Answer 8

While you may want to check with your local council, I think you have every right to say no.

If the trees do not go over their property divide, then they are your trees to do with as you wish.

Even if they do go over, they can only legally touch the bits that are on their side of the fence.

I don't think you need planning permission for trees and unless you've got a tree house or anything in them, they are considered a natural feature and they can't legally do anything.

Answer 9

Shame you don't allow e-mail i could have gone into more detail.

If you are a council tenant get in touch with your Area Officer I'm sure they would try to help you.

There is in most Councils nowadays a person who is Employed to settle this kind of Complaint.
It would be up to your Nice NEIGHBOR to Complain and they would have to Pay the fee for this.

Other wise just sit tight Because nobody under the Present Laws are Entitled to Light.

LOOK UP YOUR LOCAL COUNCILS WEBSITE THEY TEND TO HAVE ALL THE IMFORMATION YOU NEED.

Good LUCK

Answer 10

Don't know about the UK, but here in California, if your tree was there when they bought their property or even if you bought your property after theirs and the tree was there, then they have no recourse. The best they could hope to do is offer to pay to have it removed or trimmed down.

Since you paid the last time and honored their request. It might weaken your position, but I think you could argue that it's their turn to pay. But I would check with a lawyer who specialize in property law since I don't know what it is like in the UK. Here, in California, I think you could still tell them to go jump in a lake.

Answer 11

I would tell them to go and f**k themselves.

Wankers!!

Seriously - unless your trees posed some kind of risk of falling on their house or something, they don't have a leg to stand on. They are trying to take advantage of you - I would write them a letter that says that you don't have a problem with cutting the trees, but they will have to foot the bill since they will be the ones benefitting from them being gone. If they refuse, and try to take you to court, bring a copy of the letter, and show it to the judge (or whatever). That way you can show that you have been reasonable, and your neighbors are being jerks.