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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Reported my neighbour

72 replies

Babybrain26 · 28/08/2020 21:52

We got new neighbours behind us 2 years ago, the guy approached us to ask if he could have his gardener cut the height of our trees. We purchased our property with one the benefits being the mature trees and we regularly maintained them (compared to the other neighbours beside us, ours aren't as tall). We told him we were happy with our tree surgeon and that we got them cut regularly as it was, we were content with this arrangement and that we valued our privacy (they cover the view into our bedroom windows).

He then approached us again 6 months later asking the same thing and asking my oh to go into his garden, we were not happy with his insistent approach, but politely wrote a letter confirming what we had told him before and attached a photo of our trees from our garden.

He then cut the trees in his garden and at the time probably thinned quite a few of ours within our boundary, but we let it go. Now 2 years later, he has cut the top off one of our trees definitely in our garden and our neighbours behind can now see into our bedroom. If the tree would grow up again, I wouldn't have said anything but I was informed it won't. I felt very angry at what had happened and annoyed he hadnt listened to us, not to cut the trees in our garden so I went to the police. The went round and had a chat with him and he said he didnt do it, it was his gardener, etc.

We then tried to put up a new fence within our garden and he came and threatened our handymen. Nothing has happened since thankfully but our fence was left unfinished and I'm regretting going to the police as I've made our house harder to sell. Is there any way I can solve this? Did I do the wrong thing?

OP posts:

RevolutionRadio · 28/08/2020 23:36

Obviously your trees shouldn't have been cut down from your side but technically I think anything he cuts off from his side should be given back to the owner of the tree. Maybe that's why he left it in the garden.

Melroses · 28/08/2020 23:52

The should be "offered back" not given back and thrown over the fence. That is fly tipping. Presumably if the owner declines, it is the responsibility of the guerilla pruner to dispose of.

amitoooldforthisshit · 29/08/2020 01:16

the attitude you have comes off as a bit selfish there must be compromises for the sake of harmony and being neighborly

Anordinarymum · 29/08/2020 02:20

@Babybrain26

The canyon, I can see your point and am now a bit sorry I didn't. At the time, I just feel that no matter what we wanted, he was intent on getting his way regardless. E felt it was a bit offensive for him to suggest after only moving in that we weren't marinating our garden to his liking. It's this attitude that for me, and yes the trees were there when he viewed the house. I'm starting to feel though I should've just turned a blind eye as I know have to declare this dispute if we want to sell, possibly losing thousands. I feel a fool for giving in to my emotions.

If you turned a blind eye what else would he have done? I would be interested to know what the neighbour said when he threatened the men putting the fence up.

I think sometimes people like this rely on you doing nothing as they know it opens up a can of worms if you sell.

He's been stopped now. I don't really see what else you could have done tbh

Anordinarymum · 29/08/2020 03:16

OP Thanks for posting about this.

I think some threads should be flagged up and made 'sticky' as they are a lesson learned for others.

In retrospect you should have gone and had a look at the trees from the neighbour's garden so you could understand why he was being so persistent.
Perhaps he has a valid reason for wanting the height taking down - lack of sunlight is one.
Nipping things in the bud with neighbours stops disputes escalating to the stage where it might affect the value of properties etc etc.

seayork2020 · 29/08/2020 04:26

Wouldn't the council have been of more use than the police?

They would be able to tell you what is allowed or not

Aridane · 29/08/2020 05:38

This thread is already bonkers. Neighbour has destroyed OP's property and threatened her handyman yet posters are piling on to tell her she's in the wrong hmm

MN really is full of contrary arseholes sometimes

OP you did nothing wrong. Your neighbour us clearly a cunt and a bully. Finish your fence and continue to report him for his threatening behaviour.

Exactly

(And there would probably still be a pile on even if the OP were posting to ask advice about what to do having rescued a drowning puppy)

rwalker · 29/08/2020 06:43

I have been caught out by neighbours trees in the past as people say they were there when we bought the house .
But Only few viewings and weather not great so no way we know there was going to be such an impact.
Every nice day every one else garden basking in brilliant sunshine our all in the shade.
Nothing grew grass mossy as never really dried out.
I doubt he has any interest into seeing into your bedroom .
This was part of the reason we moved .
He probably frustrated that you could do something to massively improve his garden and you won't.
We had an apple tree in out garden in new house neighbour ask us to trim it we ha it cut down for them . I know how shit it is to have your garden impacted by trees couldn't be that selfish.

Whenwillthisbeover · 29/08/2020 07:04

I’m on the fence, no pun intended.

Honest response OP, are these leylandii?

Suzi888 · 29/08/2020 08:33

Do not go to a solicitor! You’ll end up being unable to sell your house in the future. Not to mention the considerable expense you’ll have to go through and when he gets that solicitors letter, he will probably just rip it up. Go and look and the Gardenlaw forums. Contact a solicitor, most give you 30 mins free advice...
At the stage of getting a solicitor to actually send him a letter you would have to declare a dispute to any buyers.

If they are Leylandi conifers which I suspect they are, you won’t get a TPO. If you have more than 3 in a row, it forms a hedge and your neighbour can request it be cut to the 2m mark.

Your neighbour doesn’t care what the trees look like in your garden, he cares what they look from his. What do they look like from his? Your trees are probably sucking the life out of his garden, you’ve made it clear (which is absolutely within your rights) that you don’t care. You’ve called the police on him, your the subject of street gossip, which you probably don’t like. He shouldn’t have cut your tree, chucked the branches into your garden or abused your handymen.

I’d just leave it alone now, if any further abuse occurs document it, keep a record, take photos of your trees etc, send him a letter and then contact the council/police, get CCTV. What is it you think he’s going to do exactly?

I know your very angry and you have every right to be, your neighbour sounds like a total dick BUT to pursue you are going to spend more money on legal advice and letters than completing the fence!

JenniferSantoro · 29/08/2020 09:13

No wonder the Police don’t have time to investigate crime. I can’t believe you wasted their time on this.

Original poster

Babybrain26 · 29/08/2020 09:42

I actually only phoned the police for advice tbh. Then they suggested contacting him for a word as they said he had comitted criminal damage and did I want to pursue, which I didnt. At the time I felt relieved but now, not so much. That's hindsight for you. Just to clarify, he had a lot of trees 8n his garden when he purchased which he then got rid of. Then I assume he realised we had trees on our side of the boundary too.

OP posts:

Original poster

Babybrain26 · 29/08/2020 10:18

It seems they are leylandii :(. I guess in time we'll probably just get them cut down to 2m so there's no grounds for dispute. It's all I can think of doing. It's just a shame when others in the street have the same trees with greater height and are allowed to have it but we're not, But that's how it goes. Lesson learned for sure.

OP posts:

nosswith · 29/08/2020 10:22

The threat to your handyman seems reasonable grounds for contacting the police I think.

Suzi888 · 29/08/2020 10:30

@Babybrain26
Neighbour disputes are a nightmare, if you research it, it’s just not worth it.
What is his issue exactly...

He has committed criminal damage, no doubt. But you both have to live there. If you are on speaking terms I’d ask him what the actual problem is. Then perhaps you can work out an amicable solution.

I’ve been through very similar myself and it’s not nice and completely unnecessary.

Original poster

Babybrain26 · 29/08/2020 10:39

We have nice views from the front of our house which is what I think he wants as our trees are probably blocking it, I think ultimately that's what it comes down to, but we just wanted to maintain our privacy.

OP posts:

Original poster

Babybrain26 · 29/08/2020 10:40

The tree he cut the top off, should now allow him his view.

OP posts:

Suzi888 · 29/08/2020 11:18

@Babybrain26 that’s what he wants by the sounds of it. For what’s its worth, there is no right to a view. Like you say perhaps he will be happy now he’s obtained a view and leave you and your trees alone.
Invest in some blinds/curtains and don’t give the situation or that vile man any more thought.

Original poster

Babybrain26 · 29/08/2020 11:21

Ok, we'll do our best thank you.

OP posts:

Belladonna123 · 29/08/2020 11:37

@Veterinari

This thread is already bonkers. Neighbour has destroyed OP's property and threatened her handyman yet posters are piling on to tell her she's in the wrong

MN really is full of contrary arseholes sometimes

OP you did nothing wrong. Your neighbour us clearly a cunt and a bully. Finish your fence and continue to report him for his threatening behaviour.

This ^^^

Whenwillthisbeover · 29/08/2020 18:44

If they are leyandii as you say, sorry i have jumped from the fence to your neighbours side. I spent the best part of two years clouded in my neighbours leyandii, they moved my fence, covered my path in moss because of the darkness. Grew huge and unruly well over my boundary and blocked all the light out. They were impossible to keep cut back as they grew soo tall.

Have you never seen neighbours from hell?

For those who have never lived next door to a layandii hedge, i hope you do. Seriously.

Original poster

Babybrain26 · 02/09/2020 16:44

Well, I think they are leylandii...they are various types of conifers, just different coloured leaves. Is there anything I should/could do then seeing as I'm potentially a 'neighbour from hell' ? Please note that I'm a bit scared to approach him because of what's happened and his behaviour.

OP posts:

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