Law regarding neighbours trees and damage?

[Rasputin]

Finally getting round to sorting out the garden and noticed that my neighbours trees and ivy have pushed through a lot of fencing and also cracked the concrete fence posts there simply no way of replacing the fence panels without taking of some serious timber from the evergreen trees but even if I replaced the panels the lean angle and cracks on the posts won’t last.

The trees are probably 20ft and I don’t see a solution without them coming down due to the main trunks being the culprits . Can’t imagine they’re going to be happy about it so before I very politely knock on the door and show them the damage any practical tips?

As far as I understand the law is quite clear if it’s damaging your property it needs to be rectified but don’t fancy a legal battle.

Ta

 

[VSS]

Presumably you can reach these trees from your own property? A hypodermic syringe and some glyphosate are your friends
And when the trees and ivy have mysteriously died, your neighbours will remove them as they're an unsightly hazard, and you won't even need to ask!

 

[timbrayford]

Offer to pay for the work

 

[Bo Diddley]

Presumably you can reach these trees from your own property? A hypodermic syringe and some glyphosate are your friends
And when the trees and ivy have mysteriously died, your neighbours will remove them as they're an unsightly hazard, and you won't even need to ask!

Rumour has it this works very well, neighbours on both sides of me have had trees struck down with SGD... "Sudden Glyphosate Disease"

 

[Rasputin]

Presumably you can reach these trees from your own property? A hypodermic syringe and some glyphosate are your friends
And when the trees and ivy have mysteriously died, your neighbours will remove them as they're an unsightly hazard, and you won't even need to ask!

The thought never crossed my mind think they die the fence might come down as they seem to be holding it up .

Offer to pay for the work

I’d happily contribute something but reckon the bill could be quite large.

 

[B&W FOX]

Post the question along with the photo on
buildhub.org.uk and you will get the proper and legal answer.

 

[Stumpy2]

The thought never crossed my mind think they die the fence might come down as they seem to be holding it up .




I’d happily contribute something but reckon the bill could be quite large.

Avoid anything where accusations can be made against you. I was involved (in a professional capacity) in a case whereby someone was accused of poisoning the neighbours trees and the police were investigating the case as criminal damage, the defendant was a sgc holder and they were more interested in if the defendant was a fit and proper person to have a sgc than the trees. It certainly cast a shadow over the guy involved.

Firstly invite the neighbours round to show them the problem. Don’t be confrontational but explain the situation and that you will help where you can to get it resolved. There is a chance they haven’t got a clue about the damage and they sort it out without any issues. (And for cynics amongst you yes it does happen )
If it’s a flat no, follow it up with a polite letter. If that doesn’t work then you might need to remind them that the trees are causing a nuisance in common law and you don’t want to pursue legal action but could take them to court if necessary.

All approaches have risk from falling out with them to a full on neighbour dispute, where allegations whether true or not could have serious consequences for your licenses.

I really wouldn’t reach for the round up.

Good luck