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AIBU?

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Original poster

Bought a small holding the owners are chopping down the trees.

191 replies

justasking111 · 24/10/2025 14:18

Not exchanged yet but the owners offspring are now chopping down the trees presumably for firewood to sell. Do friends have any rights before exchange or could all the trees be gone before they buy it?

Are they being unreasonable to be upset or is it fair practice before exchange?

OP posts:
Inertia · 24/10/2025 14:28

I’d be dropping the offer price, as the property has changed significantly since it was advertised.

What does the contract say?

Blinkyblinky14 · 24/10/2025 14:27

The seller has been told the consequences
They carried on anyway, which is their right given no exchange
and your friends right to now withdraw

but given they haven’t withdrawn, it would appear they were bluffing

Blinkyblinky14 · 24/10/2025 14:27

justasking111 · 24/10/2025 14:25

They've done that it's been ignored.

Show quote history

So…. Your friends were bluffing? They need to pull out then

Original poster
justasking111 · 24/10/2025 14:25

theemmadilemma · 24/10/2025 14:24

Get on the solicitor immediately and threaten to pull out of the sale if they touch any more.

They've done that it's been ignored.

OP posts:
theemmadilemma · 24/10/2025 14:24

Get on the solicitor immediately and threaten to pull out of the sale if they touch any more.

Blinkyblinky14 · 24/10/2025 14:23

justasking111 · 24/10/2025 14:22

They do.

Show quote history

And? What did Sol say?

Original poster
justasking111 · 24/10/2025 14:23

Blinkyblinky14 · 24/10/2025 14:20

How many trees are we talking here?

Dozens

OP posts:
Original poster
justasking111 · 24/10/2025 14:22

Blinkyblinky14 · 24/10/2025 14:20

They have a solicitor presumably?

They do.

OP posts:
minipie · 24/10/2025 14:22

minipie · 24/10/2025 14:21

Google suggests that trees are considered fixtures and therefore included in the sale unless specifically excluded in the contract

I am not a a property lawyer though

Oh hang on, just saw they haven’t exchanged yet

In that case they have no rights except to withdraw from buying

Original poster
justasking111 · 24/10/2025 14:22

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 24/10/2025 14:19

They've no rights before exchange, and no contract is in place yet, but they can tell them they won't buy it if the trees are cut down.

But they really want it. The trees are mature and give shade and privacy. There's woodland and an orchard.

OP posts:
Blinkyblinky14 · 24/10/2025 14:21

AI

Yes, a seller can cut down a tree before exchange, but they must ensure there are no legal restrictions like a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or a felling licence, as cutting down a protected tree without permission is a criminal offense with severe penalties. It is also important that the tree's removal doesn't invalidate any mortgage requirements or cause a breach of contract.

Before you continue to Google Search

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&sca_esv=fec15de16da8de4b&hl=en-gb&cs=0&q=Tree+Preservation+Order+%28TPO%29&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLi7nn9ryQAxWHUEEAHfdwKO0QxccNegQIAhAC&mstk=AUtExfCtvGaQNE5JDB8xklOhuHjNthBSP1kJZKxZ7wy2_Mz2Eio6gOSU9-U8IcCqFb5qLqpOr-bj6FNDu1cK0-h6MXECpCMFwmTf0GVSlyb5tS8-G0tWkbFESiNpmPDVXNTgnbcWPR0C8q8UGi1E707yVGVb7z5lVD6KbboYIjekDkYjqdm3byzkGDC-N60mlb0vlkDf&csui=3

minipie · 24/10/2025 14:21

Google suggests that trees are considered fixtures and therefore included in the sale unless specifically excluded in the contract

I am not a a property lawyer though

Whammyyammy · 24/10/2025 14:21

Until you've completed it's their land. But you have every right too pull out if the sale.
Maybe remind them of this

Blinkyblinky14 · 24/10/2025 14:20

How many trees are we talking here?

Blinkyblinky14 · 24/10/2025 14:20

They have a solicitor presumably?

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 24/10/2025 14:19

They've no rights before exchange, and no contract is in place yet, but they can tell them they won't buy it if the trees are cut down.