Summer Here..garden Rows Are Back!

[lizzydrippin]

Every year its the same thing,next door neighbours telling us to trim the over hang that comes from our garden into theirs. Im sure its for them to trim and throw over if they want to, they're sure that we are obliged (by law) to regularly go into their garden and trim it back to our side. Who's correct?

[redman41]

Can you not trim your Hedge yourselves in order to keep it tidy.
Do your Neighbours keep their side of the Hedge tidy ?
Seems rather petty to me.
Why not take it in turns to cut the whole Hedge !

[Peaspeculiars]

Oh dear, What type of overhang is it Lizzy? Hedge or clematis (or similar).

[Ellipsis]

You are correct.

"You can trim branches or roots that cross into your property up to the property boundary" - see https://www.gov.uk/how-to-resolve-neighbour-disputes/high-hedges-trees-and-boundaries

[237SJ]

I don`t think there is a law that you go into their garden because that would require their consent. People could just trespass onto others` land if that was the law. I think they are entitled to cut the overhang on their side and offer you the cuttings which you don`t have to accept. Yesterday, I asked my neighbour if I could reach across the fence with my hedge trimmer and cut down his laurel growth. He said "do what you like". I like my neighbour!

[Baldric]

They can trim back to the fenceline, but not beyond!

[lizzydrippin]

Yes we keep our side trimmed, its the other side that has grown into their garden that they want us to trim...that would entail having to go into their back garden regularly to do it.

[Peaspeculiars]

I have a twisted willow next to the fence which sprouts like a demon each year and overhangs the neighbours fence. I go out as often as I can and 'give it a haircut' much to the neighbours delight. They do like the tree and don't want me to get rid, but I understand I can't expect them to keep cutting back something that belongs to me.
Hedges however are something that I would expect the neighbours to sort out from their side.

[Peaspeculiars]

^^ I cut it from my side and look like an looney doing it (I don't have to access their side)

[lizzydrippin]

Thanks very much everyone...you've been very helpful xx

[Arrods]

They'll be wanting you to mow their lawn next!

[joko]

yes its your tree, you should be trimming it - it is your branches that are unwanted on their property

[themas]

I don't think there is a law about this - it is really down to neighbourliness in my view. I have long hedges & good neighbours who trim their side. However, if they didn't wish to I'd see it as my responsibility (with their permission) to do their side as the hedges are mine.

However, I can understand that there can be situations where relationships with neighbours are poor & this sort of solution is difficult.

The fact that the neighbours are entitled to cut back to the boundary does not mean it is their legal responsibility to do so - just that they can do so if they wish to.

[Seth01]

Let look it the other way round! Let assume what over hangs their premises should appear to be an ilk of fruit, perhaps an orange. Taking from such an item would pronounce your neighbor a Thief. And also the item which over hangs their compound would (by LAW) be called infringement of spaces on the basis that whosoever owns a piece of land also owns the atmosphere above it. The issue down here fall-off the pace of Law and balanced on the ground of morality.... So, if I may say, I would like you to walk straight to your neighbor and seek their consent in order to cut the hang over from their side. My decision is based on the notion that " your property should not deny others of clean and tidy compound.

[Peter Pedant]

. The discussion has noted various things but not that
the neighbour has a power to trim the overhang
but that does not mean he has a duty to do it

I am not sure you have a power to trim the overhand - as you ( and everyone admits ) you need consent to carry it out.

and yes it is all in the manner of neighbour disputes ( pointless and time consuming )

Oh, if you do it, does that convert it into a duty ? no
and does it convert to a duty for your successors ( mrs X always did it so you new owners should ) definitely not.

you dont have a right of entry - it is obvious therefore you dont have a duty to trim.

You might try that - IF I really have a duty to trim on your side then I have a right of entry whenever I want to come onto your property to do so ?