Trees!

[zara 4]

Think this is the right category,our next door neighbours have two big trees in their front garden,they are both,shall we say,2 sandwiches short of a picnic,(the people not the trees)anyway we've spoke to them about the trees that are taking light and now we have had to turn off our security light because it is staying on all the time due to the branches growing over our garden and in front of the light,they have been saying for months now that they are coming down but because of how our neighbours are they have a lady in london who deal with their finances and she has to give the go ahead for anything to be done,at the moment they have someone working at their property removing ivy off their house and replacing their shed roof,but we're still waiting for the trees to be removed,is there anything we can do to make them get rid of them quicker,the trees have been promised they are coming down in all since the last jubilee,cheers!!

[maggie01]

Maybe they are worried about the cost. It can be quite expensive to remove large trees.

[Postdog]

Check out the legalities (I'm reasonably sure that if it is a nuisance as you describe there must be some kind of law or bye-law to prohibit it - maybe your council will know) and then get heavy with solicitors if you are justified.

[jake-the-peg]

The nuisance hedge legislation means that your council can force them to cut them down if..
a) it's a hedge - two trees can be classed as this if their branches overlap
b) it's over 2m tall
c) it stops your "reasonable enjoyment" of your property.

In practice different councils operate it in different ways, most do an inspection for which you have to pay. The amount can vary a lot if they agree that it falls into the category some councils will refund your money and some won't.

Check your local council's website or give them a call and ask to talk to someone about nuisance hedges.

[jake-the-peg]

PS a) b) and c) all have to be true of course

[zara 4]

Oh,money isnt a problem,his family owned land lots of it,its in his sisters name who holds it,the branches definately overlap and should have mentioned before we've had to have men out few times due to the roots in the drains and our water being affected,but the fact that they can afford it,they reckon they dont want them there and yet still they're not doing nothing!!

[alan30]

The high hedges legislation only relates to evergreen trees so if they are not evergreen trees you cannot pursue that option. Overhang and loss of light are not actionable nuisances. The neighbour has no obligation do do anything. You can cut back overhang to your boundary provided the trees are not protected. Roots in the drain is usually an indication of a drain problem that the roots have exploited rather than the roots damaging the drains in the first place. You may have a difficult job proving nuisance in that case. You need to take legal advice if you want to pursue this to the end.

[zara 4]

So i can only cut back the overhang IF the trees aren't protected,no way,why should i have to turn off my security light cos the thick plebs next door cant get their a$$'s into gear?On that note,what can i put down to kill a tree?

[Sammy Snake]

Why should they cut down their trees just because you don't like them? If the trees are that big then they must have been there when you bought the house and you should have taken it into consideration.

And calling your neighbours '2 sandwiches short of a picnic' and 'thick plebs' is not very polite if they seriously do have learning difficulties.

[zara 4]

Only when they need to snake,get off ya soapbox,Try reading again,THEY do not want them there either!!!!We moved into this house as a council house,the trees under the old owners were always cut back and no problems,the thick plebs we have now are just plain bl00dy ignorant,would prob just be easier to kill the damn trees myself!!

[zara 4]

And while i'm at it,its not cos i'dont like the trees' why the hell should i have to turn off my security light because the idiots next door cant be asked to pay someone to cut it??

[darcydark]

I think you should consult a solicitor if only for advice.