Cutting down trees in garden - who pays, us or landlord?

[SloanePeterson]

Dh and I cannot agree. We live in a rented house and the landlord lives only a few doors down. Quite an old man, huge portfolio of properties and a bit of a reputation of not being too bothered about upkeep. We have some large trees in the garden that we expressed concern about when we moved in three years ago as the branches are fairly close to one of the windows. He said he'd see to them but never has. They're now brushing the neighbours house, though they've never complained, and have taken the end off the guttering pipe on our house. Also, they just really take a lot of light away from the garden which is really affecting how much we can a top this time of year. I've had a quote to cut these trees right back, and it's much less than I thought, at only a couple of hundred pounds for a whole days work, which may not even be necessary. I'm happy to pay this as as far as I'm concerned it's out garden and we're the ones who'll benefit from it. Dh thinks the landlord should stump up. We asked the landlord if he'd chip in for a new carpet when we'd been here for a few months and it was clear just how awful the carpet here was and we asked him to pay half of a reasonable quote, and he said he'd pay a third. We didn't do it in the end as it seemed more trouble than it was worth and at that point we didn't know how long we'd be staying here. Now we've made this place home and have no plans to move. Nor has he put up the (very reasonable) rent. Also, and this is relevant I think, Dh has had two total crapheaps of cars which have leaked a lot of oil over the drive. Landlord is aware of this but hasn't asked us to pay to fix it. I know in an ideal world, the landlord would pay, but I'm of the opinion not to rock the boat. So what would you do? I think a good compromise would be to write a letter informing him that the work is due to take place, then gives him the option of offering to pay towards it rather than demanding it, it just seems a bit politer. I want the trees cut down anyway so will be paying regardless.

[LIZS]

Ll should.

[Justmadeperfectflapjacks]

When we had trees the ll was responsible. . Some were protected and he had to apply for permission to cut them.

[Oldraver]

I dont know if it's your landlords responsibility but it doesn't sound like he would be willing to pay. If it s were for my own enjoyment I would foot the bill.

[Dandandandandandandan]

What does your lease say? The answer will be in there (and usually tenants have to maintain garden - presumably you mow lawn etc, and landlord doesn't provide a gardener?).

[Roystonv]

Apart from who will pay you will need your landlords permission and check there is no tree preservation order on them. Also do they need cutting down or just pollarding, does your contractor have insurance. Once you have sorted all these things you could suggest half and half.

[19lottie82]

if they really need to come down (is neighbours conplaining) then LL.
If it's just so you can enjoy more light in your garden then I'd expect you to bear the cost.

[BarbarianMum]

If the trees are dangeroys or damaging the property your landlord should pay. If its for light/aesthetic reasons then he doesn't have to (but he might if you ask him to). I think you should ask - its damaging the guttering so in his interest to at least part pay.

[TheWhiteRoseOfYork]

Doesn't he have to give his permission though? I can't think of any reason he would object to you cutting them back, but I think you need to ask first, even if it is a formality.

As for payment, if you ask him to pay for the trees he might bring up the subject of your DH's cars and ask you to pay to put that right. Which would be the more expensive of the two?

[CotswoldStrife]

Has your Landlord given permission for you to remove the trees? That's not a decision you can take yourself.

[CotswoldStrife]

Just to expand on my last point - it depends how much you want to take the trees down! Usually, the tenants are responsible for the upkeep of the garden so a bit of a trim might come under this but large scale pruning/removal probably not! I know when we were renting there was a (probably standard) clause that we couldn't remove plants from the garden.

Trees close to windows can be a pain though, I do get that.

[Chloe84]

How reasonable is the rent?

I would weigh up the savings on rent/oil spill against cost of cutting down tree.

[Floralnomad]

You need to apply to the council to reduce the height of trees as they may have TPOs or be protected , you cannot go randomly chopping them down .

[RB68]

You have to check for TPOs BUT generally trees in gardens not effected. Otherwise chop away.

It is technically LL issue if they are damaging other people's property. If it is damaging the house you rent then its a maintenance and therefore his issue.

Having said that gardening is really your responsibility. However, I think any reasonable landlord would contribute to trees if they need maintenance work as it is generally a large amount.

However, given the driveway issue I would say quid pro quo and pay for trees and sort driveway or get DH too.

[Floralnomad]

RB68 , the house that backs onto our garden has numerous established trees and the new owners have had great difficulty getting the council to even allow them to be topped let alone felled . Planning signs had to be posted and some idiot complained that it would affect his view from a nearby footpath i.e. He wouldn't be able to still see them and it had to go back to planning before it was approved to remove a third from the top . These trees are a mix of elm / conifers so nothing that spectacular .

[londonrach]

Ll. do not cut the trees down. Its your ll problem. Talk to ll.

[BreakfastAtSquiffanys]

If the trees are damaging your guttering and touching the NDN house, LL needs to pay to get them cut back