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AIBU?

To ask the man next door to cut down his trees

241 replies

FeynmanDiagram · 08/05/2013 18:27

I'm having some problems with my neighbour and created an account to hopefully get an impartial view from you. I'd be grateful for your feedback.

Approximately five years ago a new neighbour moved next-door to me and inherited a garden that was a bit of a mess. We'd had problems with the previous neighbours garden in that the trees at the foot of the garden overhung quite badly into ours. In the end the we managed to get them to cut them back, but the problems haven't stopped.

Now the same trees are so high that they are blocking the sunlight from getting into my garden in the morning. I'd like to be able to enjoy breakfast in the summer sun from the comfort of my own garden, but can't because of the height and the fact that they are covered in ivy.

Rather than going through the courts, I approached my neighbour and explained the situation and he said he'd go away and look into it. They weekend he came back and said that he'd gotten quotes, but said that he wanted me to pay half!

I told him how in no uncertain terms how ridiculous it would be for me to have to pay for his trees to be fixed when its him that's causing the problem. Especially since I'm on a single income and they are both young professionals with no children.

What are your thoughts? AIBU?

OP posts:

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EeyoreIsh · 08/05/2013 18:29

Well... it is causing you problems, not him. so I think that's reasonable.

gallifrey · 08/05/2013 18:30

I am in the same situation with neighbours trees blocking the sunlight from my garden, not just in the morning but all day and evening too!
I haven't approached them yet but if it meant they cut the bloody things down I would happily pay half personally.

FreddieMisaGREATshag · 08/05/2013 18:30

It's his garden.

They're his trees.

Good luck.

DrGoogleWillSeeYouNow · 08/05/2013 18:31

I'd pay half.

It's you that NASA problem with the trees, not him.

Paying half will probably work out cheaper than taking him to court, possibly losing, and then having to face a smug neighbour every day.

superram · 08/05/2013 18:32

I would be over the moon he has prepared to pay half. If you were asking me I would expect you to pay the full whack! It will be worth it for you, why wouldn't you?

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 08/05/2013 18:32

YABU that's a very fair offer. His income compared to yours is not relevant.

queenofthepirates · 08/05/2013 18:33

Blimey, I'm pretty surprised he even offered to pay half. I would have laughed in your face and told you to trot along.

Scholes34 · 08/05/2013 18:33

We've made compromises, both financially and with our time, to ensure we got the result we wanted with regard to our neighbour's tree. It was definitely worth it.

If you do go half way, ask for reassurance that the height of the trees will be kept in check.

nocake · 08/05/2013 18:33

Tricky one. If the trees aren't bothering him why should he pay to have them cut? I think going halves isn't a bad solution... although if you can't afford it then you're right to say so. It's then his decision if he wants to help you out and get them cut anyway, but he's under no obligation to do so.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 08/05/2013 18:33

BTW what would you take him to court for? Owning a tree?

superram · 08/05/2013 18:33

Also I don't think having trees is against the law. You are entitled to cut down overhanging branches but what exactly would you take him to court for?

desperateforaholiday · 08/05/2013 18:34

I think that's quite fair, as it is you that wants them cut down, but maybe check with your environmental department at the council to see if there are any regs/laws on the height of trees

MrsLettuce · 08/05/2013 18:34

Yes, I'm afraid I agree. It's you that is having problems with the trees and agreeing to have work done and offering to pay half seems pretty good going. Unfortunately relative incomes are irrelevant here.

LaurieFairyCake · 08/05/2013 18:35

What kind of trees? There are some that you're not allowed to grow too high.

If it doesn't fall into that category then he's under no obligation and I would pay half if I wanted my light.

If you don't want your light, don't pay.

OwlinaTree · 08/05/2013 18:36

Just cos they have two incomes doesn't mean they are loaded with extra cash to cut down trees that don't bother them.

You will not get far by falling out with him. They are his responsiblity, but try and keep friendly, you are not going to enjoy sitting in your garden with your neighbour glowering at you from his garden. Could you help him find a cheaper quote?

MrsLettuce · 08/05/2013 18:37

yy, helping find a cheaper quote is a good iead.

MrsLettuce · 08/05/2013 18:37

idea

MousyMouse · 08/05/2013 18:38

yabu
unless the trees are in danger of falling down.
you can offer to pay for pruning but if he says no, tough luck.

LIZS · 08/05/2013 18:41

We trimmed ours on the request of neighbours - second time we had them attended to in the 5 years we 'd been here. They each initially suggested they might contribute but in the end nothing was forthcoming - one because they said the tree surgeons has dropped debris over the fence and damaged their washing line , the other possibly because we only removed one tree and pruned the others or we didn't go with the £££ quote their "mate" supplied. Ironically they have a 30'+ horse chestnut which has not been attended to in the time we have lived here and sheds all over our garden!

Unfortunately you have no right to light so cannot force him to do anything , not sure where you think the court comes in, and as you have requested this and will clearly be the one to benefit more should really be prepared to offer something towards it.

Floggingmolly · 08/05/2013 18:45

It's him that's causing the problem
But it's a problem for you, not him. He's being more than accommodating paying half, tbh. If it was me, I'd expect you to take the full hit yourself.

ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 08/05/2013 18:46

Well, they're his trees in his garden and they are your problem - in so far as it is you that has a problem with them. If they're not a danger and they're not breaking any law or anything, then your options are limited.

So if you want them down and he's prepared to agree to it, I'd find a way to pay half.

Although, tbh, if you reacted as you describe, I'm betting he's no longer willing to accommodate you at all.

mirry2 · 08/05/2013 18:46

I would be overjoyed (and pay the full amount) if my neighbour would agree to cut down his lylandii trees. Unfortunately it's never goung to happen

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DontmindifIdo · 08/05/2013 18:47

YABU - I assume if he had to be asked by you, he doesn't really want to cut the trees down, you are the one who wants the trees to be cut.

I'd offer to get other quotes, then agree to pay half. Otherwise, you might find it slips down their 'to do' list quite a lot.

trixymalixy · 08/05/2013 18:47

Let me get this right, you want him to cut down trees that aren't bothering him so you can have more light in your garden at his expense?

You're lucky he's generous enough to pay half!

Madamecastafiore · 08/05/2013 18:48

Bite his hand off because if he decides to not play ball you will only be able to cut the overhang off and that will financially be solely down to you!

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