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AIBU?

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Original poster

Surely this cannot be right - housing developers!

154 replies

Dmanny30 · 18/12/2023 13:52

Good afternoon all,

I’ll try & keep this short if possible!

7 years ago I bought a new build house off a good reputable developer & moved in, in the summer 2016 & all has been really well.

well, on Friday I was sat doing some work in the office when I heard voices coming from the back garden. I looked out to see two young lads in my back garden after managing to get through the gate. I went out & they were from the property developer. I said how they cannot just come into my garden when they feel like it but that’s hardly here nor there at the minute.

they are wanting to plant a tree (quite big one actually) in the middle of my back garden. Literally the middle. I explain that surely they cannot just come & do this but he explained that it was part of my contract when I bought the house (turns out, it actually was) but surely not after 7 years though?

I have rang & Emailed to complain & even tried to meet them half way saying I’m happy for it to be here but can I choose where it goes at least? Told nope & I have come back from work to find a tree in the middle of where my son & husband play football.

AIBU with this?

oh, I’m under no circumstances to chop said tree down & it’s completely upto me to maintain it too! I know it was in the contract but surely not after 7 years!?

OP posts:
IncompleteSenten · 18/12/2023 17:38

Well, if the agreement says they have to plant it then they have to plant it.

Does the contract say you have to keep it? Or take care of it? Are they to come back and do annual tree welfare checks?

If it was me that tree wouldn't make it through the winter. Oh dear. Tree was planted but didn't survive the weather. 🤷

Woofappreciationday · 18/12/2023 17:37

My dog is a excellent digger. Digs mostly anything i plant out by himself.

He charges one vegetable bone for a 20 minute tree removal but you must act surprised and tell him off when he has removed said tree as thats how he knows its/ he is appreciated and he should just keep digging up anything else he comes across.

Id just move the tree.

SphincterSaysWhat · 18/12/2023 17:22

After 7 years they are definitely out of time (legally - by limitation) via contract. It's their problem, not yours. And then there's the trespass (which is a civil matter).

HalliwellManor · 18/12/2023 17:21

LyingLikeACheapCarpet · 18/12/2023 16:48

@HalliwellManor get photos andpost then on here because otherwise your landlord will think you have planted it

It's not just mine,they've done the whole street lol 🌳.

Mangolover123 · 18/12/2023 17:20

Personally I don't think they have any right to enter your property and plant the tree. It has been 7 years, the property was signed off. I would tell them to remove it and make good within the next 7 days.

3luckystars · 18/12/2023 17:11

I’d also love to see what the contract says.

SoupDragon · 18/12/2023 17:10

I'd dig it straight up and replant it somewhere convenient.

SeparatedAndFree · 18/12/2023 17:04

We had this, after a year or two not so long. They did come to the door and ask if we were ok with it. It was our front not back and we agreed to a mutually agreeable placement.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 18/12/2023 17:01

I would not make a big thing of it but would just leave it for a few weeks then move it-they are hardly likely to keep coming back to check on the tree are they?

Goneforaride · 18/12/2023 16:57

You could dig it up and re-plant it elsewhere (in a corner?). Would they really notice? that is what I would do under the circumstances

Isitautumnyet23 · 18/12/2023 16:56

How close will it be to the house? We’ve chopped trees down (only because we had to) for our extension as the roots could damage our property. If its a small garden, can you argue that?

DeeLusional · 18/12/2023 16:55

When you say "Quite a large tree", do you mean that what they planted is large, or do you mean that it will eventually grow large? Either way I'd be worried about having a large tree near my house - roots in the founds, falling hazard eg.

ClaudiaWankleman · 18/12/2023 16:48

What does the contract actually say? I'd be quite surprised if it said they could come and plant trees in your garden in perpetuity.

Fortunately a winter storm is quite likely to break a newly planted tree.

LyingLikeACheapCarpet · 18/12/2023 16:48

@HalliwellManor get photos andpost then on here because otherwise your landlord will think you have planted it

Hont1986 · 18/12/2023 16:45

The tree has been planted, the box has been ticked, the developer doesn't care any more. Pull it up and get rid, if anyone asks say it blew down.

YouveGotAFastCar · 18/12/2023 16:44

What exactly does your contract say?

When does it stipulate that the tree should be planted?

Did you misread the contract initially, or were you hoping they'd forget?

kimchio · 18/12/2023 16:43

Panaa · 18/12/2023 16:42

In all honesty, who is going to come and check on said tree moving forwards? No one.

The fact that they came to do the tree after 7 years is making me wonder if there's going to be some inspection?

I think so. Someone's been checking up on their tree promise

Panaa · 18/12/2023 16:42

In all honesty, who is going to come and check on said tree moving forwards? No one.

The fact that they came to do the tree after 7 years is making me wonder if there's going to be some inspection?

romdowa · 18/12/2023 16:37

notmorezoom · 18/12/2023 14:39

oh dear, it died. how sad.

My thought's exactly

HalliwellManor · 18/12/2023 16:33

That's wierd because I have randomly had a tree planted in my front garden today by my Housing developer too.Ours is rented but we moved in,in July and I've come home from taking the dog to the vet to find a tree planted in my front garden.🤣.It doesn't bother me but they've left a right ruddy mess on my garden path.
Maybe it's 'National Housing Developer Plant A Tree day '🤷‍♀️
Joking aside though OP I can see why you're so upset and pissed off,I would be too if they just came in my back garden without permission.

ThreeRingCircus · 18/12/2023 16:31

In all honesty, who is going to come and check on said tree moving forwards? No one.

Agreed. Trees are good, you've got a free one. I'd just dig it up now and replant it somewhere more suitable while it's dormant. I'm positive they will not care now they've ticked a box and planted it.

Mirabai · 18/12/2023 16:30

I would just move the tree to the corner of the garden. I doubt the developer will care as long as they’ve fulfilled their tree quota.

Cryingbutstilltrying · 18/12/2023 16:27

Really just placemarking for the update (I hope)… quietly move it, say nothing to anyone, carry on enjoying your garden. If you ever sell and there’s an issue over the presence or not of said tree, move it back or plant another one.
I really can’t see anyone checking up on it, and if they do you tell them you know nothing about it. Not good with trees.
I’ve got about a million baby sycamores if anyone wants one, pretty much the only thing that will grow in my garden!

Mumof2teens79 · 18/12/2023 16:24

I am guessing it was part of the planning permission and someone has complained that it hasn't been complied with.
What dies the actual contract say? And is it your land 100%