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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Neighbouring treehouse

518 replies

Spooked7 · 12/11/2020 13:27

I will append a diagram if it helps, but AIBU to ask neighbouring family to take down large wooden treehouse that sits above the level of our fence and dominates the view?
I don’t know the neighbours and don’t want to start a dispute with them, especially as we only recently moved in. However, we had no idea there was a treehouse overlooking our garden. It was disguised by overgrowing trees as the previous owner of our house had passed away over a year before we viewed the house...and the trees hadn’t been cut back for a while. After a few days living here we started to see heads of small boys popping through the trees about 4 feet above our fence. I still didn’t realise it was a treehouse. Then a month later they employed a tree surgeon to cut back the trees as they were overhanging our (small) garden and blocking light from getting in. This exposed the entire, very large, wooden treehouse. It is a platform about 5.5ft off the ground, with a see-through fence panel about another 3 ft in height around its edge. The whole structure sits above the level of our fence. It has some bits of camouflage netting and a sheet of canvas loosely attached, that flap and wave in the wind. It is both intrusive and unsightly and I have no idea what to do about it without angering the neighbours. I have had advice from the council who said they will happily go round and investigate anonymously whether they should have sought planning permission for it, but it would be completely obvious that we instigated it, as it doesn’t really affect anyone else. I know that if/when we decide to sell our house this treehouse will put a lot of people off. It dominates our very small garden.

Has anyone managed to resolve a similar issue without it leading to a dispute?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
amitoooldforthisshit · 12/11/2020 19:57

as you you have a problem with it then maybe you should screen it off, it was there before you were

jambeforeclottedcream · 12/11/2020 20:00

[quote Eckhart]@jambeforeclottedcream

it got alll the planning that was needed

How do you know? Is it yours?[/quote]
Sorry should have put a big hypothetical if in that sentence

JulesM73 · 12/11/2020 20:01

Bugger that, I would be speaking to the neighbours re moving it and if not asking council to do something.

If they have a garden that big they could have put it somewhere else and if they asked the tree surgeon to cut down the trees then could have spoken to the OP. The fact the OP is only now aware of it, if it needs planning permission then it needs planning permission, kids play house or not.

OneForMeToo · 12/11/2020 20:03

Thing is op they didn’t have to cut those branches at all. You asked they did it now you are going to complain that by doing what yes you did ask for that you can now see a tree house so can you take that away too.

You can kiss goodbye to any nice neighbourly relationship and you can sure bet they will never pay a penny to trim that tree again when it overhangs your garden.

Id put a goal post right in front of you fence if I had to take it down and maybe a fire pit for evenings.

lockeddownandcrazy · 12/11/2020 20:07

I think as you moved in when it was already there and you dont want to make enemies you just put up and shut up

hesaidshesaidwhat · 12/11/2020 20:08

Firstly everyone is entitled to cut branches off over hanging bushes/trees without asking your neighbour.

OP - is there a possibility that this was erected between you viewing and actually completing? Have you looked at google maps (satellite) at all? Might give you an idea of how long it was there for.

EvilPea · 12/11/2020 20:14

@Spooked7
Bloody hell spooked only trying to offer a bit of future advice. Hmm
I do and have paid for my neighbours to be trimmed, so I have some control over what I see.

GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat · 12/11/2020 20:41

Just a caution for anyone thinking of planting eucalyptus for screening - the roots are very invasive and can mess up foundations, drains, patios etc. Expensive!

ThousandsAreSailing · 12/11/2020 21:08

OP you have the patience of a Saint. I don't know if posters are unable to read or deliberately being arses and forcing you to repeat important points several times
The tree house is awful and will spoil your garden. I would try the amicable route, legal if not and put up garden sails to block the view if all else fails
Nobody would want to be on view like that

slothtrot · 12/11/2020 21:13

[quote Eckhart]@slothtrot

I think the onus is on to notice because if it's a deal breaker then you wouldn't buy the house would you? Nobody in their right mind would buy a house knowing that the garden would be overlooked by a tree house if they knew it was breaking regulations and that you'd have a legal battle over planning permission or building regulations, you'd run for the hills surely

So if someone is breaking the law, it's everybody's responsibility not to buy the house next door to them, rather than the responsibility of the authorities to enforce the law?[/quote]
No but why would you want to put yourself through that hassle when there are other houses ?

SunShinesStill · 12/11/2020 21:17

@Spooked7 what is worse is that they’ve screened it from their side with the netting and left it open to you. I’m also thinking they built it after the sale went through to sneak it in knowing it was wrong.

Suzi888 · 12/11/2020 21:18

Planning permission for a treehouse? Hmm but it’s not classed as a permanent structure is it?
Genuine question! As I know someone who complained about a whole set of children’s garden structures and the outcome from the council was that they can stay.
OP just one word of warning, obviously do whatever you want. But how would you feel if your neighbours remove the tree house and decide to grow conifers/similar type of tree.
How old are these children? Are they likely to use the treehouse forever?

Skysblue · 12/11/2020 23:42

I just keep thinking about the kids who would be heartbroken if anything happened to their treehouse 😭

You bought the house as it is. If you don’t like the view, screen it.

If you decide to start a debate with council/neighbours then the best case scenario is it gets taken down, the kids are gutted and their parents hate you forever. A much more likely scenario is that you have a big row, the treehouse stays up but they all still hate you forever.

Just plant a hedge in front of it.

Skysblue · 12/11/2020 23:43

Ps and if they do hate you then there will be mysterious litter in your garden all the time, loud music etc... It is really not worth the row.

stackemhigh · 12/11/2020 23:51

OP, ignore the crazies and come back and tell us how it goes!

All the people telling you you’re the worst neighbour EVA would be singing a different tune if the viewing platform was overlooking their back garden!

LoveMyKidsAndCats · 13/11/2020 00:42

Bet it feels like living in a zoo. Get it down.

ClaireP20 · 13/11/2020 00:46

This is so selfish of your neighbours OP - absolutely ask them to either take it down or shield it. Selfish gits x

ClaireP20 · 13/11/2020 00:50

Good idea - get fairly mature ones put in ...

AlwaysLatte · 13/11/2020 01:05

I wouldn't want to be the one who got a child's treehouse knocked down. I'd plant screening there instead.

Nikori · 13/11/2020 01:20

My advice is to have a chat with them first. Explain that you didn't notice the tree house and as lovely as their kids are it's quite intrusive having them overlooking your garden. Ask if it would be possible for them to put a screen up on that side of the tree house to give you some more privacy. Sat how much you'd appreciate it.

If they aren't happy or responsive, I'd just put up a screen yourself. You can get 10-foot bamboo screens which are relatively cheap, easy to install and would block the view.

I think it's better to try and resolve this yourselves that go the council route.

FlyingByTheSeatof · 13/11/2020 02:42

I couldn't care less about their precious children. I would do everything I could to get them to take it down. It's so intrusive. What on earth were they thinking. They're probably expecting you to say something and are likely to then take it down but obviously wont unless you do say something.

Surely noone would be that arrogant and self centred to think a neighbour would be ok with that towering over their garden.
I pity you I really do.

FunkyFunkyBeat · 13/11/2020 04:39

Speak to the council first and find out how much time you have to make a complaint. If it's years rather than months, just leave it until at least summer and see where things stand - how much of the eucalyptus has grown back etc.- before making a decision.

AeroFlakeTw1rl · 13/11/2020 04:43

Bamboo in containers

Suzi888 · 13/11/2020 06:14

@hesaidshesaidwhat the OP didn’t cut the branches though, they asked the neighbour to do it and the neighbour paid for it.

emilyfrost · 13/11/2020 06:49

@FlyingByTheSeatof

I couldn't care less about their precious children. I would do everything I could to get them to take it down. It's so intrusive. What on earth were they thinking. They're probably expecting you to say something and are likely to then take it down but obviously wont unless you do say something. Surely noone would be that arrogant and self centred to think a neighbour would be ok with that towering over their garden. I pity you I really do.
Then maybe when buying a house you wouldn’t be so foolish as to not thoroughly check every aspect in it, around it and near it over.
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