Next door neighbour dilema

[AutisSon]

Not sure if AIBU and need other views. There is a big tree that is right in between mine and my next door neighbour house. It is clear in our deeds that is both our responsibility to look after it. It is also protected so everything has to be done properly. Next door lady is nice enough, but she likes to just do things without consulting with us. Three years ago she dropped me a message to say that a tree surgeon was coming the following day to trim the tree, and that we needed to pay half of it. I didn't like this as we should have looked together to a couple of quotes and decide. We footed £400 for half of the work. She also had other bushes trimmed etc which she said they were paid by her separately. I asked her for the invoice and she never sent it. Ever since I was a bit crossed with her and told her so. A few months ago there was quite a bit of wind and she was in a state of panic, called another tree surgeon but I was very clear that I would only pay for the tree if it was a safety hazard amd needed trimming. The tree surgeon clearly said that there was nothing wrong with the tree so that was left like that. Last night she texted me to say that she has booked the tree for a trim early December. AIBU to be mad at her? I replied saying that while I appreciate her to organise this I would have liked to see more quotes and speak with the tree surgeon myself. I don't even know how much I am expected to pay😡

Tell her - better still send a polite note - saying that you will not be contributing towards tree maintenance costs without prior agreement.

(Also, if it has a TPO on it, you're not allowed to trim it anyway.)

I’m with her, you needed to step up to the responsibility sooner and that’s why it’s become something she’s had to lead

You are allowed to trim it with prior permission from the Council, following an assessment by a qualified arborist, and the work has to be done by a qualified arborists.

Has a planning application ever been submitted for any of this work?

If not, you're both in trouble

I can see why she is doing that because if you don’t cut them back they just get bigger and bigger and I assume this is a pretty big tree at that price. You are not taking any steps to do anything so she is making sure it’s maintained.

if you don’t like her suggestions why haven’t you got your own quotes to compare?

You don't need to quote the op, anyone here will have read it.

That said, neighbour needs to discuss with op before arranging work to be done.

I don’t know about where you live but where I live although technically permission is required, if you get a tree cut back and trimmed nobody cares. They don’t have time. Although if you cut it down it’s a different story.

Yes as a TPO tree. However the trimming done previousy didn't need an application.

I do see your point OP and it would annoy me having to pay but I agree with @seeminglyranch maybe you should be more pro active and get some quotes yourself next time.

This would annoy me having to pay so much money each year for a tree!

Thank you. Yes is totally right. Is a big tree. However is not that I don't like her suggestions, is that this is something that we both need to look at together. She can't arramge the work to be done without consulting. I appreciate her being careful and caring about the tree, but this doesn't mean to go ahead with whatever she decides.

The appointment is in December which is ages away so plenty of time to find a better price in the meantime.

Two points stand out here:

1. If there's a TPO on the tree a planning application needs to be submitted before undertaking any work on it.
2. You are not responsible for any bill, full or in part, incurred by your neighbour without prior consultation with you.

Contact the council 5o see if she has got permission.. Our neighbour had Dewhurst come and cut a tree in MY garden. Apparently as I am only a tenant here I can't stop her... Tpo bloke came out and claimed never mind it would grow back. Tpo? Not worth the paper seems so.

And I agree - I definitely wouldn’t hand over a penny next time without seeing an itemised invoice!

She is consulting you? It’s happening in December? Can you contact the firm and ask them to invoice you both?

£800 to trim a tree?? Obviously there may be size differences but I've never paid more than £150 for mine from a qualified tree surgeon.

Are you 100% sure on this? In my area, any work at all done on a tree with a TPO needs permission. Fines for not having it can be massive so be very careful.

The sensible thing to do is to both meet with a reputable tree surgeon.
Agree how often the tree needs to be checked. And follow that.
If it is a big tree and it's within striking distance of either house, this will give you both peace of mind. It may well be a condition of her house insurance that the tree is regularly maintained.

Dear next door.
Please send me a copy of the quote before this work is done.
You MUST contact us and get our Written approval.
If you do not have our Written approval then all cost will be payable by yourself.
Thanks.

You seem to be leaving everything up to her then complaining about what she does. Why not tell her you will organise the next trim?

I would be grateful to her for taking on the 'mental load' of this task and happily pay up. As it is she is doing all the arranging plus paying half. All you have to do is write a cheque.

I think this sounds suss. I find £800 for a tree trim a surprisingly high amount. My garden has many trees and not one has ever cost more than £200. We had an entire tree removed to the root by a arborist for £500 last month and we are in S. London. No wonder you aren’t seeing quotes and invoices. You now need to say no: you will not be going halves on work which is sprung on you suddenly, and you will need to see three quotes before it’s booked, and you will require an invoice.

This.

Also for people wondering, a proper tree surgeon will apply to the council themselves for the permission to work on the tree.

Agree with this, we have 6 trees with TPOs on our land and we must have permission to cut them, it takes ages too so would in no way be ready if booked now for December.

Edited to add that £800 is very high. We pay that for the four at the front of our house and that includes out surgeon submitting the application for permission to trim the trees for us too.

£800 for one tree? We didn't pay much more for 4 trees and we were pleasantly surprised it was less than we had thought. The trees we had done are not on our property but were impacting it. We could have just had our side done and left it like that but we did speak to all the neighbours and we all agreed for it to be done as well as the price first.

£800 doesn't sound abnormal to me given what we would pay in north London. Also the cost would include the application to the council for permission for the tree works.