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Original poster

Complaint to council ...anything I can do?

46 replies

spookyboooo · 19/09/2023 08:11

I posted a month ago
Not sure if anyone can remember
I have a tree that is resting on my roof that has grown over my fence from the multi storey buildings gardens (same council as mine )
I live in a upstairs flat
I reported in July and because downstairs had dumped rubbish around the side of building they wouldn't touch the tree (even tho it wasn't even in my garden"
I started moving rubbish and paid for council to collect it in a weeks time.
The noise is unbearable and keeping me awake and damaging the roof.
Anyway they've turned around and said they have no availability till December to cut the branches off my roof.
I can't sleep with the noise,now the wind is getting stronger it's even worse.
I made a complaint to council and they said nothing we can do.
The lack of sleep is really getting to me now
I can't come home and just relax
Anything else I can do here ?

OP posts:
filingpapers · 19/09/2023 08:39

I would contact my local councillor.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 19/09/2023 08:42

Contact your MP, too.

Jackydaytona · 19/09/2023 08:42

Yeah
Councillor and cc in your mp

Isthiscorrect · 19/09/2023 08:58

Can you ask your insurance company for advice ? They might have some suggestions to get it hurried up by the council.

Seeline · 19/09/2023 09:06

Unless you live in a Conservation Area, or the tree is protected, you are entitled to remove any branches over hanging your boundary. You don't have to wait for the Council to do it.

But yes, contact your local Councillor and get them to intervene with the relevant officers on your behalf. And then keep contacting them until something is done.

It might also be worth writing directly to the Council Chief Executive. Set out the complete time line, including the fact that you have complained, and the response is not satisfactory. Mention that the branch is damaging your property and you will be seeking any resultant costs from them.

Original poster
spookyboooo · 19/09/2023 09:41

They have replied saying it's between 4-18 months to get the work carried out
Stupid question but how do I find out who my local counsellor is ?

OP posts:
fiddlesticksandotherwords · 19/09/2023 09:41

Email the tree officer at the local council, tell them you have already reported it, and nothing has been done, so they have become liable for the damage being caused to your property, therefore you are giving them 7 days to take action. If they don't comply with your request to rectify the problem, you will instruct a solicitor to start legal proceedings against them. Copy in your local councillor and your MP.

Original poster
spookyboooo · 19/09/2023 10:08

Im a social housing tenant and it's the housing association who have said it's up to 18 months
I've had an appointment with my GP who has prescribed me antidepressants and a short course of sleeping pills but obviously not a solution full term

OP posts:
AbbeyGailsParty · 19/09/2023 10:12

Google Find my local councillor ( your postcode)
Also search contact my local MP
Stress the possible roof damage, could tiles fall etc…
Local paper also.

3ormoredogs · 19/09/2023 10:19

Just get it done yourself, it would be much quicker!

We cut overhanging branches all the time, it doesn’t take long.

Original poster
spookyboooo · 19/09/2023 10:20

@3ormoredogs I can't reach it's on the roof
I have no way of getting up there to cut it

OP posts:
3ormoredogs · 19/09/2023 10:23

@spookyboooo ah sorry I missed the part where you said you were in a flat!

Do you have a local handyman/gardener that could do it? Might be better than missing so much sleep!

Seeline · 19/09/2023 10:29

So you are a social housing tenant?

Are they the landlord for the neighbouring block? Or the Council?
I'm not sure that the Council would be involved at all if they are not the LL for either block.

Have you stressed to your landlord that the tree branch is damaging their property? I think they will be far keener to chase the works if they think they may need to pay for repairs in the future.

Original poster
spookyboooo · 19/09/2023 10:40

Both blocks are the same housing association
Sorry it was h/a I'm complaining too
I've stated it's damaging the roof and they just aren't interested at all

OP posts:
TheFlis · 19/09/2023 10:43

I’m on the parish council where I live and this is absolutely the kind of thing I would get involved with if a resident in my ward reported it to me. I’d put a rocket up the housing association and involve the relevant district and county councillors as well. Please find out who your local representatives are and ask for their help.

fiddlesticksandotherwords · 19/09/2023 10:44

Oh, my mistake, I thought you owned the property. You can't really threaten them with legal action then, since it isn't even your roof. Anyway, I would still suggest you contact the tree officer rather than the housing department/landlord.

Contact your Town or Parish Council and they can tell you who your councillor is.

Original poster
spookyboooo · 19/09/2023 11:02

I've just emailed my local counsellor
I emailed the ground maintenance team
Who said we can't speak with you as you opened a complaint
Honestly so frustrating

OP posts:
BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 19/09/2023 11:09

Is it the housing association or council you have complained to? If the tree is on housing association land then they are the ones responsible for removing the branches causing issues.

AnxiousPangolin · 19/09/2023 11:12

Who owns the land the tree is rooted on?

Original poster
spookyboooo · 19/09/2023 11:49

@BaronessEllarawrosaurus yes I complained to housing association
They own both mine and land where tree is on
They have said they have 18 months to cut this tree off my roof

OP posts:
Original poster
spookyboooo · 19/09/2023 11:49

@AnxiousPangolin the housing association I rent my property from

OP posts:
AnxiousPangolin · 19/09/2023 12:32

spookyboooo · 19/09/2023 11:49

@AnxiousPangolin the housing association I rent my property from

Then it’s the responsibility of the housing association to prune the tree, not the council (unless they own the HA) which is why they’re unable to help you.

The HA are pushing back on your request probably because to prune a tree where the top branches are touching the roof will mean hiring contractors with some kind of cherry picker or tree climbing which isn’t cheap. If you’re the only person complaining and your complaint is essentially ‘I don’t like the noise of the trees on the roof at night’ then I doubt it will be a high priority. Your best course of action is to keep complaining to the HA and concentrate on potential damage to the building rather than you being annoyed by the noise.

Original poster
spookyboooo · 19/09/2023 12:47

@AnxiousPangolin I'm the only one complaining as it's just a converted house
Upstairs and downstairs
As I'm upstairs the roof is right there
It's the housing association I'm complaining too (it's run by the council )
I've said it's going to damage the roof also but they don't seem bothered
The noise is unbearable
It's not just a few branches it's half of the tree resting on my roof

OP posts:
lovemycbf · 19/09/2023 12:58

Personally I'd pay someone to come and cut it.
I couldn't be bothered to wait for the council if it's affecting you so much.
I know it's not your responsibility but sometimes we just have to pay and get things done

Original poster
spookyboooo · 19/09/2023 12:59

I've been quoted £400
I just can't afford to pay it at the minuet

OP posts: