Reporting harrassment

[danchip]

my parents have recently received letters from a neighbour demanding that they cut down all of the trees in their garden because it is spoiling the view for the other neighbours, these letters have been particularly nasty and the guy writing them is trying to turn the rest of the neighbours against my parents!

My parents have decided to get their solicitor to write to the guy to see if that stops the letters, should my parents also report this to the police or would they not be interested in something like this

[atalanta]

Get the local council to put preservation orders on the trees.
Nobody, but NObody has a right to a view. Not in the UK, anyway. And absolutely nobody has a right to demand the felling of someone else's trees just because he doesn't like them.
If the roots are damaging any foundations, that would be a different matter entirely.
You should report the matter to the police if he is making threats.
I bet the "Other neighbours" are not as concerned as he makes out. They may not have any idea of what he is doing " on their behalf ".

[danchip]

They are only conifers so i doubt the council would be interested!

[ZedBloke]

There's nothing they (the neighbours) can do and Police are not interested, no offences are being committed. I'd just write back saying the trees are staying and if they carry on with abusiveness some leylandi trees will be added too.

[yogi-bear]

Brilliant replies from atlanta and Zedbloke.....the leylandi trees will shut 'em up....nosy perishers.

If any branches are overhanging on their side of the garden, they do have a right to trim them level to your property....but no more.

I think atlanta's right and the neighbour is probably working alone in his quest to tick you off.....other neighbours dont give a stuff.....if he becomes abusive report him....maybe a visit from the police is what he needs.

Best of luck to you, danchip :0)

[boxtops]

A solicitors letter wouldn't do any harm. Presumably the trees were there before the harassing neighbours?

[Toureman]

A solicitors letter Would not do any good except for the solicitors cash flow either!

[jackthehat]

Does your parents' neighbour have a point?
Are there already some monstrous Leylandii in the picture?

He is going entirely the wrong way about it and your parents do not deserve this sort of initial contact.......if it *is* initial contact.

There are two issues here, really.
1. The trees.
2. The impact these trees are having on the neighbour/s.

Is there any sort of compromise your parents could/are prepared to make?

[jno]

our neighbour's just cut down his leylandii, thank heavens. No threats from us, just polite inquiries. Happily he wasn't too keen on them either (they were there when he bought) and he removed them when he found a cheap axeman. They can be a source of ill feeling in a neighbourhood, and if your parents' ttrees really are tall it might be polite to keep them in order, not just let them grow to annoy a neighbour they don't like.

Threats and harassment are illegal.

[danchip]

I'm 6ft 2 tall and i'm taller than the trees and they are cut back at easter and again in october so they aren't that tall!

I've sat in the chair that the neighbours mother sits in

[danchip]

and the trees dont block the view anymore than they ever have! My dad has offered to remove the trees and put a fence up but they were concerned about it blowing down in high winds and damaging their property

[jackthehat]

Excellent news.....
Tell the neighbour to stick his demands in the same place that the monkey stuck his nuts!!

If your parents are instructing their Solicitors to send a letter telling him to desist harrassing them, they should ask what action is the next step should he ignore it.

[tonywiltshire]

I agree with boxtops that the letter from a solicitor informing the writer of the letter that if he causes mental anguish, alarm and distress action may be taken under the Protection of Harassment Act 1997 or the act often quoted if debts are involved the Administration of justice Act 1970. You will want to avoid court action and to get a solicitor to write shows the originator of the letter that your parents will not accept easily the position.
I doubt the police will be interested they will probably say this is civil law.

[joko]

i would just write them and polite but firm letter, stating the law - accompanied by various print outs and online links to back you up - and that you are under no obligation to do this, and that 6ft is not that high - and only what a normal fence would be - say that if the trees were to come down you would replace them with a fence so theres no benefit for him in that.

i would register this with the police, just in case he gets nasty and does some damage etc

[danchip]

my view was that they should inform the police so that theirs a record of it just in case something serious happens, my parents are already getting CCTV put up outside their house, the neighbour seems to only deliver the letters when my mam is on her own and as soon as she goes upstairs the letter comes through the door, add to that the abnormally high number of screws and nails stuck in our car tyres at the minute!

[Vivkins3]

Screws and nails in tyres, if done deliberately, would be construed as criinal damage and the police WOULD have to be interested in that. Aim the CCTV onto the car.

[jeanijay]

When we owned an apartment overlooking Alicante Bay we had a beautiful view from our small garden then our spanish neighbour put in a row of trees cutting it off completely and robbed us of a great selling point, nothing we could do about it you do not have a right to a view. If he cannot show that the trees have a direct impact on him ignore the man let him gnash his teeth impotently

[Canary42]

Show the nasty letters to the police, and get them to record the fact that you have done so. Precaution against further developments from this unpleasant b@stard..

[jd_1984]

What was your relationship like with the neighbour before the letter started. I am assuming you were not on good speaking terms as he/she may have approached you differently if comfortable in your company. I find that nasty letters are a sign that this person does not want confrontation yet will happily threaten and put his/her feelings forward in writing. Thats perfectly fine and therefore your response, through solicitor or otherwise, should take the written form.
If the trees do not pose a safety risk to persons or property then it isnt a matter that the police can or will take seriously I am afraid, it will be noted as a neighbourly dispute and left in a file somewhere!
However, you need to be clear on your position. Are you willing to remove the trees? If the trees were in situ before the neighbour or indeed yourself moved in, would you ask for the cost to be shared as it is them making the demand of you? Are you feeling threatened or uncomfortable as a result of the letters? Do you forsee any other resolution other than cutting them down or flat out ignoring the demands? Once you are clear on your position, and if you can affors it, yes, get a solicitor to represent your view and write to the neighbour, that would be phase 1.
Keep us updated.

[whiskeryron]

I suggest that you write to your neighbour & include the following story.
How the 1st Christmas tree aquired an Angel on the top.
Santa was having a very bad day, Elves hadn't turned up to pack pressies,
Mrs Santa had invited her mother to stay over & his feet were playing up, he was trying to get a nice rest when the door bell rang & when he opened the door there stood an Angel holding a very large tree which of cause had got to be decorated.
That is why nearly all Christmas trees have an Angel stuck on the point at the very top.

WR.

[whiskeryron]

PS You are considering buying a very large Christmas Tree.

WR.