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AIBU?

To think my neighbours are CF's

82 replies

stayathomegardener · 08/02/2018 13:05

So... new neighbours moved in about six months ago.
They are not next door, we are on a farm so they are up the road but our land adjoins their garden.
That particular piece of land is mixed woodland.
I first met them when they came round and asked us to cut the brambles down next to their garden.
I was slightly taken aback and explained that the only reason brambles grow there is that we cleared a 5m strip of trees for the previous neighbours so they were not overshadowed, because there is no tree cover to shade out the weeds they grow.
Neighbour appeared fairly shocked that clearing this area was not something we planned to do, I did say they were welcome to cut the brambles down.
Anyway gave it some thought and went round the next evening to say look we will clear it this time but if you want it maintained you need to do it yourselves in future. All I ask is you let us know if you need access.

At the weekend I noticed not only have they been round but have cut the boundary hedge down to half it's height cleared all the weeds/ivy away from their garden and dumped it in a very neat line in the field (the neatness annoyed me even more)
The pile of rubbish is 30m long by a metre high.

CF's?
And what next?

OP posts:

Report

user187656748 · 10/02/2018 22:33

office copy file plan can be accessed online (land registry) for £3. It will show the boundaries.

TryAgainAndAgain · 10/02/2018 22:22

To all those saying to check the boundary - the OP has already said that the hedge was the original boundary line then they added stock fencing to it 15 years ago. The boundary is clear

The OP said the hedge marked the boundary but she also said she didn't know who owned it. That's why posters are suggesting she find out. It may not be possible to ascertain for sure but it's worth checking.

FlippingFoal · 10/02/2018 12:56

To all those saying to check the boundary - the OP has already said that the hedge was the original boundary line then they added stock fencing to it 15 years ago. The boundary is clear.

notapizzaeater · 09/02/2018 15:42

Before you go wading in can you check the boundary online ? Have you plans/deeds ?

lulu12345 · 09/02/2018 15:31

I’m astonished at the suggestions of solicitors letters, bonfires etc. This isn’t a straightforward issue and your neighbours might genuinely believe that it should be your responsibility to trim the brambles. But even if not, surely it’s not worth starting a war with neighbours over something so petty?! What if you need to rely on their goodwill or help in the future? I would just get over your irritation, be the mature adult and go round and speak to them sensibly about it. Definitely face to face.

eddielizzard · 09/02/2018 15:28

dumping garden waste from their garden on your land - not on. cutting your brambles and hedge, when you told them to maintain it, on your land is right. clippings belong to the owner of the land of the plant they were clipped from.

they should have asked, yes. they might have just heard 'maintain it yourself' and forgotten that you asked them to talk to you first.

depending on whether it's their garden rubbish or not would depend on whether you go in guns blazing. i'd go back and check the rubbish heap. otherwise they've done you a service by maintaining that area...

billybagpuss · 09/02/2018 15:22

Hi OP, I would pop round as any note can come across as abrupt and angry then things could escalate.

although how to start with the 'you were supposed to ask first, you've cut down my hedge and how dare you dump all the rubbish in our field' without sounding aggressive will take a great lesson in diplomacy. Let us know how things go.

charlestonchaplin · 09/02/2018 15:18

Cross post.

charlestonchaplin · 09/02/2018 15:17

OP describes it as 'mixed woodland'. I don't think she was going for the suburban look. It is a farm after all, and wildlife needs vegetation to thrive.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 09/02/2018 15:15

That would be all well and good, Doje, if OP had actually wanted the land cleared, which she didn't! Thanking them would be inappropriate and might even encourage them to do more...

Doje · 09/02/2018 15:09

I'd be a bit put out that they came over without asking permission, but otherwise I'd be thanking them for doing all that work - that's a lot of clearing!

I'd go over (no notes, always better to do these things in person, no matter how awkward it is) say thanks, but next time can you please just check with us first.

For the record, if anyone wants to tidy up my garden, I'd be ok with that.

charlestonchaplin · 09/02/2018 15:07

It may not be possible to find out who owns the hedge without an expensive survey. Other stuff was dumped though, Dan. It isn't all about the hedge.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 09/02/2018 15:01

Just be a bit careful as they're maintaining your land they may have grounds to try to legally take it?!
No they can’t because OP gave permission which negates any future claim of adverse possession.
And ADish is correct. In fact, just dumping the cuttings without asking if they’re wanted, constitutes fly-tipping.
However, I do think it all sounds like there could just be a misunderstanding. Go round and have a friendly chat, sending a letter, no matter how polite, is a bit too formal and potentially could feel confrontational to them. You don’t want this to be the beginning of years of problems.

Bluelady · 09/02/2018 14:58

Where did that tick come from?!

Bluelady · 09/02/2018 14:56

My thnking is the same as yours, Haffdonga. I also don't understand why all the fuss over organic waste that will rot down anyway. If it was old mattresses it would be different. I think whatever they'd done ✅ t would have been wrong.

danTDM · 09/02/2018 14:55

This is a ridiculous post and cray cray toing and froing.

Find out WHO OWNS THE HEDGE.

That is all there it to it. You don't seem to know this. Any comments are therefore redundant

To have a debate about a hedge when it MIGHT not even be yours is a waste of everyones time.

charlestonchaplin · 09/02/2018 14:54

The cuttings should be offered back to the owner, not dumped on their property. Offered means, 'Do you want these? No? Okay, I'll get rid.' Because the cuttings may have value to the owner (fruit, firewood). Then again they may not. I wish people would get this right and stop parroting their internet legal education.

OP isn't very good at giving a clear story, but she has been clear that she wasn't informed before they accessed the land. That is just a really basic courtesy. So she does have reason to be annoyed.

For sure, if you let this pass they will continue to dump vegetation on your land. Either they will think you don't care, or they will think you do but lack the balls to do anything about it.

RadioGaGoo · 09/02/2018 14:53

Security? Seem to.

RadioGaGoo · 09/02/2018 14:52

Both the OP and neighbours security to know who owns what because the neighbours asked the OP to cut the brambles and was shocked that the OP was not planning to clear the land... which is mixed woodland.

ADishBestEatenCold · 09/02/2018 14:50

"By law they HAVE to return trimmings."

No, that is incorrect, danTDM. If the hedge belongs to OP, then the neighbour may cut back overhang and, by law, must offer the trimmings to OP, the hedge owner, but if OP doesn't want them, the trimmer/neighbour must dispose of them themselves.

Haffdonga · 09/02/2018 14:50

Legally the hedge and weeds were on your land and so belong to you. Ironically the neighbours would have been breaking the law in removing them. Your hedge, your hedge clippings.

(And from the photo it looks like they've done a good job. You could thank them.)

G120810 · 09/02/2018 14:46

Please think before acting as these type of things escalate into wars and make life hell explain this to them and ask if they wouldn't do it again they may not know they are not allowed to do this but for an easy life and not feeling trapped in your home arguing all the time it's not that bad of an issue yes it's angered you but speak to them and explain x

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starfishmummy · 09/02/2018 14:43

I'm confused too.

I think some discussion needs to be had about where the boundary is - hedge or fence - and who owns what.

You can't complain they've cut the hedge down if it's not yours.

ADishBestEatenCold · 09/02/2018 14:43

"Also please be aware that the hedge is a boundary hedge"

Are you sure the hedge is the boundary, and not the fence. Would be good for you to know.

For example, if the hedge is the boundary, whoever is on the fence side of the hedge, will own the fence in it's entirety (both sides, and the strip of land between the fence and the hedge.

However, if the fence is the boundary, whoever is on the hedge side of the hedge, will own the hedge in it's entirety (both sides), and the strip of land between the hedge and the fence.

IYSWIM.

Field hedges are not always indication of the boundary, and were/are often planted inside the boundary. It's worth being sure, as if the boundary is the fence, and you are on the hedge side of the fence, you would be effectively doing yourself out of (what looks like) a meter strip of your own land.

TryAgainAndAgain · 09/02/2018 14:39

Lol, I haven't missed the irony that my post sounds pompous too 😂😂😂😂

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