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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Urghhhhh neighbour!

73 replies

Iwanttoflyaway · 27/08/2019 16:35

So we've recently moved into our new house about 6 months ago. Both sides were lovely then.

Anyways at the front of the house, my house and neighbors is separated by a hedge. Last time they were trimming it down I went out and asked if they minded if we let that grow longer. They used to trim it so short they could see into our living room from their front garden. They agreed etc. Said sure no problem.

So today Ive just popped out and it's been trimmed down again. Arghhhhhhh

The back story to this is at the back garden we had some trees trimmed down. And the same neighbours came round asking our tree surgeon if they would chop a branch from our tree that was hanging into their garden. We told them how much the tree surgeon charges per branch etc and if you wanted it done you'd need to hire him separately. They weren't happy.

So now what and who is being aibu?

OP posts:
user1483387154 · 27/08/2019 16:37

yabu if it is their boundary . You were also being unreasonable about the branch from your property overhanging theirs.

twolobsters · 27/08/2019 16:38

Yabu I'm afraid. It's your responsibility to deal with the tree on your land, even if it is overhanging their garden.

Disfordarkchocolate · 27/08/2019 16:38

I don't think you can remove cover and then ask that someone else provides it by growing cover for you. You need to get planting I'm afraid.

PinkCrayon · 27/08/2019 16:40

Yabu on both occassions.

PooWillyBumBum · 27/08/2019 16:40

I think if it’s your tree overhanging the neighbourly thing to do would be to get it cut, not least to prevent them just hacking away and potentially damaging or diseasing the tree.

I would let the front hedge go if it’s their boundary. At least they keep it neat. If you have an issue with the height then grow something on your side

Sparklingbrook · 27/08/2019 16:40

If it's their hedge they can cut it as they want.
Would it have been a big ask for you to ask the tree surgeon to chop one branch for them while he was there.

fairislecable · 27/08/2019 16:41

YABU if the hedge is too short then install your own boundary.

In the interest of neighbourliness you should have paid for the tree whilst you were having work done - it is YOUR tree.

HappyHammy · 27/08/2019 16:41

I'd have just asked the tree surgeon to cut off the branch tbh. With the hedge, who does it belong to. Is it a shared boundary. Could you just put up a fence panel your side of the boundary line in front of the hedge if you're worried about them looking in, that's what we did.

GabriellaMontez · 27/08/2019 16:43

2 issues.

Is it their hedge? If so they can have whatever height they want.

You can plant something higher next to it on your side if you think it isn't high enough.

The tree. They should cut down any overhanging branches on their side. But it may have been neighbourly of you to get this done while you had someone round.

dollydaydream114 · 27/08/2019 16:43

YABU. If it's their hedge they can cut it down as far as they like. They're not obliged to have a hedge at all if it's their boundary.

Also, if my tree was encroaching on my neighbours' garden I'd have paid the tree surgeon to do that one extra branch as a goodwill gesture.

Perch · 27/08/2019 16:44

Put up a fence
You need to maintain your own tree
You and tree should not be a nuisance, it makes for good neighbourly relations which is worth its weight in gold.

Original poster
Iwanttoflyaway · 27/08/2019 16:44

As far as I know and have read online if something overhangs in your garden you are allowed to trim it down/ chop. We've done the same to their branches/ trees overhanging on our side. ..the hedge thing how do you find out whose it is? It's between both front gardens? I don't want to piss them off or anything like that

OP posts:
Porky54 · 27/08/2019 16:45

Yabu other posters have said it but if it’s in your garden you should pay to have the branch cut. They might have let the hedge grow had you not done that! Sounds petty but I would have chopped the hedge just to piss you off because you didn’t get the branch cut that’s over hanging in my garden!

PatriciaHolm · 27/08/2019 16:46

A tree surgeon who charges per branch??! How odd.

It would have been much much easier to get him to do it when he was doing everything else, as it's your tree causing the problem.

And presumably the hedge is growing rapidly if it's been trimmed, grown to a height you like and now trimmed again this summer so maybe they wanted to get it back down to minimum before it grows like mad again?

gottagetbetter7 · 27/08/2019 16:46

As much as I love trees/greenery in both cases here YABVU.

HappyHammy · 27/08/2019 16:47

You need to look at your title deeds which will mark the boundaries, if you dont have them they may be with your mortgage company. You can also call the land registry.

ElizaDee · 27/08/2019 16:47

As far as I know and have read online if something overhangs in your garden you are allowed to trim it down/ chop. We've done the same to their branches/ trees overhanging on our side. ..the hedge thing how do you find out whose it is? It's between both front gardens? I don't want to piss them off or anything like that

Grin Might be a bit late for that...

spanglydangly · 27/08/2019 16:48

Both times YABU, sorry.

Anotherusefulname · 27/08/2019 16:49

You are allowed to trim things that overhang but it is better for the tree for it to be done all over in a balanced pruning.

Passthecherrycoke · 27/08/2019 16:50

If it’s a shared hedge (on the boundary) you usually just maintain your own sides, unless you get on ok and agree what length you want it then you might take the trimming in turns

Yabvvvu about the tree- it’s your tree! The neighbour only deals with overhanging branches if the inconsiderate tree owner doesn’t. Having a tree surgeon there was the perfect time (never heard of one that changes by the branch)

AppleKatie · 27/08/2019 16:51

YABU exceedingly tight to not get the branch chopped that they asked for once he was there already? I mean surely it would be cheaper to do one more whilst he was there than a separate call out?

Re the front- they prefer it lower that’s how it was before you moved in? And you didn’t do them a favour at the back? Well I wonder why they won’t do you one at the front?....

Stressedout10 · 27/08/2019 16:51

Yabu why should they have to grow their hedge higher. If you don't want people to see into your house put up blinds or net curtains ffs

Sparklingbrook · 27/08/2019 16:52

Is it the norm for tree surgeons to charge per branch? If so, how much is it? Some branches are smaller than others.

Andonandonan · 27/08/2019 16:53

YABU - especially about not getting the branch from your tree cut when they asked & tree surgeon was there anyway.

Think about it from their point of view - you’ve asked them for a favour (keeping hedge longer) but are unprepared to reciprocate (by having your tree trimmed to stop it overhanging their garden). Why should they do what you want re the hedge?

Original poster
Iwanttoflyaway · 27/08/2019 16:53

@ElizaDee god I hope not. We still chat when we see each other and said hi/bye etc.

The branch thing pissed us off because instead of them coming to us first they went to the tree surgeon and asked him and when he said no, said give me the chainsaw I'll do it myself. We've said to them if it's over on your side go ahead and trim/chop. It's just that they demanded it you know

OP posts: