My neighbor moved in to his house five years ago..him and spouse are still paying the mortgage. The branches haven't been trimmed since they moved in, and some branches are several feet onto my property and now even reach one corner of my roof. I don't want to cause waves, but I don't think I should have to pay a tree service to fix this problem. What are my options. I reside in the state of Washington.
2007-09-06 06:04:13 · 15 answers · asked by Michelle W 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
if it's in your yard you trim it. don't be lame and cheap.
2007-09-06 06:13:48 · answer #1 · answered by Jacob 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Even if she is mean and nasty, it's best to be diplomatic and make it seem like it was her idea. You could call her up or drop by and tell her you are planning to trim your hedge....... but you wonder if she would like to have you trim the hedge from her side too. If you can't access it without going onto her property, then you can't comply. So make it sound like you would be doing her a favor (which you are trying to do) that would save her some work. Give her two or three days when you might be available to do it, and let her pick, if you can. I sympathize. I have a nasty neighbor on the back line, who complained to the Township about our fence (we got a variance! Haha!) so we planted lots of bamboo to screen him out. He's unhappy about not being able to snoop, but so what.
2016-05-22 19:52:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Point 1: Have you asked him to remedy the situation? It's always in your interest to start by talking. He may surprise you.
Point 2: If he refused your request... I don't know the law in your area, so you should probably start there. Many jurisdictions now have on-line access to help research this sort of issue. My guess (and it's only a guess) is that you have the clear right to cut the tree branches that extend over your property if your neighbor refuses to do so. But you probably cannot force him to do the trimming without a lot of trouble. Try for a middle path - ask if he'd like your help, that sort of thing. Maybe mention that if his tree damaged your roof during a storm, he would have a potentially large expense, which he can avoid by trimming the tree now.
2007-09-06 06:18:31 · answer #3 · answered by DC Landlord 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hopefully you can approach them and talk about this concern, then a possible solution of them paying someone.....or them removing the overgrowth in your yard themselves.
If none of this works check with local autorities, and property rights and see if you have the right to just have them trimmed yourself, or do it yourself. If you have to pay someone then you send them the bill keeping a copy in case it winds up in small claims court.
They should be more mindful of their trees growing over into anothers property it is their duty by owning the land they are responsible for the tree. Better to maybe have them mad a little now than to have a branch fall through your house and have to sue them later!!!
2007-09-09 22:06:28 · answer #4 · answered by pazia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's no big deal to trim the trees, tell him what's going on and, your going to trim the trees, if he gives you guff, then tell him he's responsible for it then, tell him you want them trimmed now, should he or, you call a company to do it, or, back to the original, you'll do it for free. have a plan "B"
Think of it this way, it's your property, you can cut the trees. Your being kind by asking, if he's going to be an a...then just cut them, to hell with him.
2007-09-06 10:59:17 · answer #5 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Option 1: be a good neighbor and ask him about it. He probably is totally unaware and I'm sure if you bring it up he will address the issue. Pose the question "I need some help - what can we do about this tree in your yard that is hanging over the fence and over my roof?"
Option 1 should work - take it from there.
2007-09-06 06:11:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have trees that my despised neighbor cuts ( and does a lot of damage to ) He is allowed to in our state (CT). Although I call the police everytime. The cops don't do anything but make a record of it so that if he kills the trees we all know the date as per the police record.
Ours is a situation that got way out of hand since we hate each other. Hopefully yours won't end up this way. I bought a book so I would know my rights.
Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees, Boundaries and Noise (Paperback) by Cora Jordan (Author) (on Amazon)
or maybe your library has it.
You may cut the trees but unless you work it out with him he doesn;t have to pay. But check out the book. It's worth it.
2007-09-06 06:40:13 · answer #7 · answered by Ernie 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I would first ask your neighbor politely if they will cut the tree down. If they won't, you can legally cut off and dispose of any part of the tree that is in your yard. You are legally responsible for the part on your side. You can't make your neighbor come over and trim it, and you can't make them cut it down.
2007-09-06 06:14:51 · answer #8 · answered by atomzer0 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It would be good neighborly to discuss the problem, he might offer to trim his tree.
Legally you can cut any part of his tree that extends onto your property, even if it kills the tree.
As far as his liability for damage that is not clear.
2007-09-06 06:14:46 · answer #9 · answered by lestermount 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
once a persons tree, overreaches your property,you have the right to trim the branches that are encroaching on your side,he does not own your property.
2007-09-06 07:06:06 · answer #10 · answered by luka 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would suggest using the phone, as opposed to face to face. Say something like "yeah, hi. Say, I was just noticing the tree(s) on our property line, and my concern is, if they grew any further they might cause damage to my (shingles and/or siding) so if you wouldn't mind trimming them up that would be great, mkay?
2007-09-06 06:10:57 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋