Rights - overhanging trees

[Huxxle]

Our neighbours have 4 HUGE trees in their garden right next to our boundary fence so our light is blocked significantly due to overhanging branches. What are our rights? Can we ask them to chop the trees down? Pay for someone to come and chop what is hanging over the boundary? Who is responsible for covering the cost? Us or our neighbour?

I believe you can cut down anything that overhangs your property and you have to offer them the cuttings as it's their property.

You can't make them remove their trees.

I'd try talking to them first.

Provided through trees aren't protected you can cutback to the boundary at your own cost. You have to offer the cutting to the tree owner but they don't have to accept them. If they don't it up to you to get rid of them.

We have this problem. It’s infuriating. We have had branches cut at our expense on both sides ( different neighbours). Have just asked one neighbour to cut down a horrible huge conifer that’s w total eyesore. He says it’s on his list’. No time frame! I feel your pain.

You also can't cut back to an extent that would endanger the health of the tree.

Were the trees there when you bought the house?

I think it would be reasonable to assume that any tree was likely to grow. Pruning is not required for the health of the tree.

You can cut back as far as your boundary. You must offer them the offcuts but they don’t have to accept. You pay.
But I’d talk to them first.

This is helpful
www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=1022