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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbours behind angry and coming round about cutting holly bush

89 replies

Bellasmummy1980 · 31/07/2017 14:33

Hi all

We live in a rented (ex-council) house (3 bed, long back garden, all very tidy). There is an alley way that leads round to the back and holly bushes all along the back of the alley (so in the 'council owned' alley). The holly bushes are out of control and lean right into our garden creating mess on the trampoline. My husband decided to have a 'trim'. Hes chopped it back at the bottom and has made it a bit 'thin' so its a bit 'gappy'. The neighbour next door told us that the neighbours behind are very angry as we have cut his bushes and ruined his privacy. Also he dosent want to see "those nasty council houses" Shock

Would ibu to tell the snob to eff off when he comes round to complain?

OP posts:
Bunnyfuller · 31/07/2017 17:25

So the garden is crowded with shed, patios, garden furniture and trampoline. What a lovely view that will be from upstairs windows :-/

If there's an alley in between unless it is completely overhanging the alley making it into a tunnel I don't get how it's an issue. And you yell out of the window about parking?

Are you not getting why he has a problem (and is most likely moving). You're not selling yourself as a neighbour, OP

Cuppaoftea · 31/07/2017 17:25

Aren't you concerned your DH has overstepped the mark? What's in your tenancy agreement regarding maintenance of the garden.

MeanAger · 31/07/2017 17:33

I am very confused how the bushes are in the alley but your DH cut them back to the neighbour's fence.

Original poster
Bellasmummy1980 · 31/07/2017 17:34

You cant see into each others gardens the holly bushes are taller than the houses so noone one is looking down into each others houses from top windows as DH couldnt reach that far up to trim back. As for a crowded garden...isnt garden sheds and patios what people usually have in their back gardens? Hmm
Also as for me yelling out the window about people parking across my driveway....when it is happening everyday, across your dropcurb, blocking you in, and youv had numerous polite words, i think anyone would be a bit peed off Confused

OP posts:
Mittens1969 · 31/07/2017 17:35

I understand why he's hacked off and moaning about being able to see the 'nasty Council houses'. It's because he's afraid the view will put off potential buyers, who will probably have read the advert from the Estate Agents which will have made a big thing about the garden being private. So of course he's a bit hacked off. Yes the attitude is snobbish of course.

Nothing can be done about the hedge now, so if he comes round to complain just smile nicely and apologise. With luck (for both you and him by the sound of it) he won't be living there for much longer.

PugOnToast · 31/07/2017 17:36

Why don't you mention to the council that he has moved his boundary to encompass the holly bush? If I have understood it right that is. I'm sure they would like to know. And then reassure him that you have checked it was ok to cut them with the council so he doesn't have to worry as it isn't his bush. And the council know about his boundary moving. Grin

MeanAger · 31/07/2017 17:39

Wow so has he actually extended his garden so as to take over the alley and basically close it off?

Cuppaoftea · 31/07/2017 17:46

The council must know about the boundary fence. Perhaps like a pp said half the alley belonged to the houses behind and at some point the fence was moved all along the row to encompass the trees and enclose their private land.

Either way the Op doesn't own her house or have a copy of the deeds and ought not to be contacting the council regarding the neighbour's boundary without the knowledge of her Landlord.

Op it sounds like your DH has done an awful job hacking through the branches at the base of the tree while leaving those higher up, it must look dreadful with the treeseither side still intact and bushy. Get him to apologise if they come round.

Original poster
Bellasmummy1980 · 31/07/2017 17:51

No not closed off alley, just put fence other side of hollybush, therefore claiming them and that part of the boundary (only about a foot) Not sure if landlord is aware (or even cares, its an alley and not his property) but its been like that for many many years so im guessing, from what iv read before, it is now legally his? I shall mention it to landlord but i suspect he may already know as he recently re-fenced our whole back garden recently but didnt mention anything to us. The landlord definately wouldnt throw us out for trimming back some bushes that were leaning into the garden. In fact he would be very greatful that we are looking after his property and is always very pleased when he comes to visit Smile

OP posts:
MeanAger · 31/07/2017 17:54

Either way the Op doesn't own her house or have a copy of the deeds and ought not to be contacting the council regarding the neighbour's boundary without the knowledge of her Landlord.

Why?

Cuppaoftea · 31/07/2017 17:57

MeanAger Because any boundary disputes with the neighbours are an issue for the owners not the Op and her DH.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 31/07/2017 17:57

Is there any Ivy?

MeanAger · 31/07/2017 17:58

Thanks cuppa

arkestra · 31/07/2017 17:58

The chap is trying to sell his house. He will have to declare to any potential purchasers whether he has a dispute with neighbours.

It is very unwise for him to be picking a fight with you in such an aggressive manner because declared neighbour disputes are a big put off for purchasers.

I would be very strongly tempted to respond by pointing this out to him. If he does not declare a dispute you can contact the estate agent and do it for him. He is not in a strong position here.

Original poster
Bellasmummy1980 · 31/07/2017 18:01

Not sure if there is any ivy? Gardening is my DH job and i rarely go to the bottom of the garden Blush

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 31/07/2017 18:06

So we have cut back some overhanging bushes and therefore our landlord must turf us out

That's not what I said. Read it again. I said if you went to the council and lodged a complaint about him, as the pp suggested you do if feeling nasty, and did it without involving me as a landlord and escalated a petty dispute with the neighbours I would indeed not renew your lease. As such I was advising you to ignore that advice.

A dispute with the neighbours impacts ability to sell and any tennant who proactively involved me in one without my knowledge would be out as soon as I could get them.

if you have a problem you can't resolve by talking to the neighbour inform your agent or landlord, do not escalate it. You already sound like the tennant from hell.

Bluntness100 · 31/07/2017 18:07

If he does not declare a dispute you can contact the estate agent and do it for him. He is not in a strong position here

This is terrible advice, because neither is the op. She rents. Op don't do it, you will open up a nightmare for yourself.

Cuppaoftea · 31/07/2017 18:13

Gardening is my DH job

Well get those shears off him Grin

Seriously as tenants leave boundary hedges alone and maintain the plants, shrubs and lawn within the garden as agreed with your Landlord. Speak to him if you feel maintenance of the holly trees is an issue in future.

Original poster
Bellasmummy1980 · 31/07/2017 18:26

I have no intention of reporting the man. I couldnt care less about his propery/boundary. He is the one with the hump Smile (my hump was with his attitude).

This is not the first time the bushes have been cut back by us or any other neighbour and only just now become a problem apparently. As i said before i didnt even notice and after good inspection DH hasnt done a bad job at all. Its all very neat and tidy and really is nothing to complain about. The man hasnt been round so im guessing it was just a rude passing comment to my lovely neighbour next door. I must admit, his comments did wind me up earlier but i have had some asda slimzone soup so all is calm Grin
Maybe the man will change his mind after iv lost a few pounds and hes sees my slim sexy body sunbathing in the garden haha Wink

OP posts:
Cacti · 31/07/2017 18:32

OP, you've done nothing wrong. It's your neighbours issues, not yours.

Bluntness, I don't see why the OP is the tenant from hell based on a suggestion from someone else entirely? Hmm

mistlethrush · 31/07/2017 18:50

Cacti, how can you say that when the bushes that have been cut are outside the OP's garden?

bbcessex · 31/07/2017 19:05

I'm still slightly surprised that anyone would use the words "those nasty council houses"..

Your neighbour may be trustworthy but not necessarily relaying verbatim.

Mittens1969 · 31/07/2017 19:27

I definitely think you should tell your landlord about what your DH did and the neighbour's reaction so he doesn't find out from someone else or when he next comes to view the property.

It was uncalled for to say they were the 'tenants from hell' though, Bluntness, it doesn't sound at all like that's the case.

MargaretTwatyer · 31/07/2017 19:53

You don't even know he said this. You seem to be getting very agitated over a piece of second hand gossip that sounds like your NDN stirring more than anything else.

BouncyHedgehog · 31/07/2017 20:03

So the garden is crowded with shed, patios, garden furniture and trampoline

Er - where would you keep your shed, patio, garden furniture and trampoline? In the house? On the roof?

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