To be furious with husband for letting neighbour cut hedge?

[Peeza86]

I know this is such a trivial issue...

We moved into our house 18 months ago. We love it but the only ‘fault’ is that the boundary hedge is still young. We’re on a corner plot on a busy road with a bus stop right next to the garden so there’s no privacy. I’m a bit socially awkward and feel self conscious when I’m playing in the garden with the kids, in the paddling pool etc. It’s a short term issue as we’re growing the hedge out. The hedge is 100% on our property.

DH was talking to the neighbour to the rear of us, and they asked to trim the hedge a little so it’s easier for them to see when they come out of their garage/driveway. It’s at the bottom of their garden, on the other side of our rear boundary. So he said yes and they’ve chopped a good 30-60cm off the top, all along the rear boundary line. Now the little bit of screening that’s grown there has completely gone at that end of the garden.

DH doesn’t understand why I’m upset. I know there’s nothing I can do about it except to let it grow again but I’m worried they will keep cutting it. I think he should have a (nice) chat with them to say there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding and ask them not to cut the hedge again. I think it’s fair he does this since he caused the problem in the first place. He says he’s not going to do anything and that I’m being ridiculous for expecting him to.

Am I being unreasonable for asking him to do this?

You could go and chat with the neighbour, say you were expecting a trim but instead it's been cut back severely in some places which has resulted in a loss of privacy for you. I wouldn't be happy with that so would hope to have an amicable conversation with my neighbours about a temp solution to the privacy loss, until the hedge re grows.

As a 72 year old who has just spent most of the day cutting a 9 foot hedge, clearing up the gubbins and then having a long shower to remove bits from every part of my body, can I have your neighbour's number???

Yabu to tell your dh to go and give the neighbours your opinion! He thought it was ok, he told them so, he hasn't changed his mind, but accepts you disagree with him, and is willing to let you make the decision about it, even though he disagrees. He just wants you to be the one to tell the neighbours. Get on with it. He couldn't be more reasonable imo.

I completely agree with this. Plus if you speak to them directly you can give them the message exactly as you want to give it.

YANBU, also I don’t understand what they have to gain by chopping that section down, it’s not next to the road? Definitely let them know the “trim” was too much.

Oh no that won't help them at all. Why have they done that?

I'd be livid too.

My neighbour did this without asking. I an still cross about it.

I'd explain the misunderstanding. Don't let it wait (if your husband won't do it) and temporarily pop up one of those bamboo/woven "fences"