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😡

Also TPOs in place so the tree surgeons put in for the necessary permissions.
Quote was also shared with neighbours prior to booking in.

Thank you all. I have just been out talking with them. She has been quoted £4k as she is worried that the tree 'creeks' when is windy and she is scared that it may fall on her house. I think she is overworrying. Without my knowledge she has gone and agreed a quote and indeed apply to the council to trim 20% of the tree. I am on the phone to the council on Tuesday and get this sorted ASAP as I don't want to be in trouble. I appreciate her being proactive but I also think she is actually too worried. I didn't realised but we actually trimmed down two years ago, and apparently needs trimming between 3-5 years. Maybe AIBU a bit, thank you all!

The "every 3-5 years" sounds like someone is out to print money.
Ours were done before we moved in and it was 20 years before they were done again - at no point was it suggested to be at regular intervals and they are a respected and well established company.

I wouldn't pay if I didn't see 3 itemised quotes

Well she'll continue to arrange trimming without consultation as long as you pay up whenever she asks. I would not have paid last time without seeing an invoice. Refuse to pay and she'll either foot the bill or start discussing arrangements with you beforehand.

You are absolutely correct. I had a couple of TPO trees in a previous home. You can't touch them without permission from the council.

£800 for 1 tree? I have 4 oaks with TPOs on them and that's what I pay for all of them. Definitely refuse to pay without seeing the quotes and make sure the contractor has the necessary permission.

As others have said let her know in writing that she must consult with you prior to any work being agreed. That you both must agree on who carries out the work. That you get three quotes from different companies.

£4k is a lot of money for trimming a tree!!!

All works to a TPO tree require prior approval - there are bug fines for unauthorised works.
That is the same thought England and Wales (probably Scotland, but they do have different systems).
Depends on the type of tree, but it wouldn't be unusual to require trimming every 5 years or so. All trees should be regularly inspected by a qualified arboriculturalist to make sure it is healthy. Regular trimming keeps it healthy.

Never rely on a tree surgeon to make the necessary applications - always check. As the owner, you will be liable for any fines.

I have had protected trees in my garden for over 30 years now. Agree with the TPO stuff and a decent tree firm won't touch it without the correct paperwork because the council won't be happy with them either and, at least round here, a good proportion of work comes from the local councils who have care of public trees. The only circumstances where a tree firm can touch a protected tree without prior council permission is if the tree is dead, dying diseased or dangerous and needs immediate attention. They are putting their own rep with the council on the line if they do this. Trees do need keeping an eye on but they need trimming when they need trimming and there is no set timescale. They may need trimming or crown lifting to benefit the home owner but its certainly not to benefit the tree. native trees live in the wild for years without having a finger laid on them. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but you shouldn't have agreed to the work the first time and please don't do it again. Tell her so in writing! 4k is a shedload of money to pay. I had an entire (unprotected) tree removed last year in an expensive part of the south and it cost me 33

native trees live in the wild for years without having a finger laid on them. This!

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but you shouldn't have agreed to the work the first time and please don't do it again. Certainly don't agree unless you've seen the letter from the Council giving permission for it to be trimmed.

She’s booking work and expecting you to appear with a blank cheque

reiterate going forward discuss any potential work prior to getting quotes and agree

but it’s also up to you to organise some of these quotes

Ours was £800 last year. Huge 90 foot tree with TPO requiring specialist team to scale the tree and cut and lower trimmed branches to a waiting vehicle. It took them all day.

I think £800 inc vat is probably about right.

What have you done to look after the tree and did you consult her first? Why is she always instigating the work? December is a lot of notice so you have time to get your own quotes.

Have you seen the invoices? Are they legit? 800 is mad for a tree trim, say you'll get some quotes yourself and indeed do that, when they come out at the proper price you then need to have a conversation as to where the the other 600 went on the last ones, I'm guessing in her pocket cheeky bitch

That is a fortune to trim a tree...4k.
Not a chance I would be paying 2k regularly for a tree.
You need to get really firm with her and speak to the council about EXACTLY what your obliged are.

Thank you. She moved in 2020 and I have been in my house since 2004. Since then the tree had work done 4 times but it was only a small trim on branches that were dead on on deed diseased. Never paid more than £300 each time. Is a massive tree. Since she moved here she is petrified of the tree falling on her house but genuinely I think she is overworrying.

Sorry also to say that she has already agreed with the work. I could certainly go out and get a quote but that won't be to trim dead or diseased branches, but indeed to trim the tree down significantly with everything that that would involved.

If it’s £4K I’d say I’ve been really clear. I won’t pay a penny unless I’ve been provided with copies of at least two quotes. Not a penny. So you cancel this one, or you send me the quote and get another one asap, so I can look at the two, or you pay it all. This is very expensive and I can’t keep having this conversation. I have never told you I’ve booked something costing £4K and you owe me half.

4k?? And she expects you to pay half? Jesus!!!
You need several written quotes and obviously the advice for what the tree actually needs done. You need to be firm and refuse to pay 2k obviously, and get further quotes and advice. It may not need anything doing to it

Let me guess. this tree is blocking all the light into her garden, but yours is sunny enough? If you really don't want it done, you could suggest that the tree surgeon just trims her side (tho' not sure if this is possible as it would make the tree unbalanced and possibly dangerous), or tell her that you are happy with the tree the way it is, but if it is inconveniencing her, she can get it done at her own expense. You could offer a token amout as a gesture of goodwill (eg £150).

Write her a letter.
In it say:

Date.
Dear neighbour.

[brief summery of work, name of company doing it, and cost]

I (name and address) have not been consulted or involved on obtaining the above work or the cost, and because of this i am NOT to be considered to be liable or accepting of paying any money towards it. The work contracted, if carried out, will be invoiced to yourself only.

Going forward any work on the tree to be paid for partly by me must be done in consultation with me, and with my involvement.

I am keeping a copy of this letter.

Yours OP.

Keep the copy and if anyone starts coming to you for money take the matter to a solicitor.

You just need to communicate clearly with her. Make sure it's all in writing, texts or emails, and be absolutely clear about what you require and whether or not you agree to pay.

Take some control here.

Thank you all for your views and advice. I am calling the council on Tuesday. Sometimes I do question myself and I have tried to keep things civil with her but it is really annoying me. I never had issues with previous neighbour and we always agreed on quotes/prices/timings.

I'm in Scotland, but we also have TPOs. We have two very large trees at the front (a Chestnut and a field maple. Just to get their crowns reduced by a third (they had been pollarded years ago and never managed, so their boughs had grown straight up, too dense and far too tall) we had to get permission from the "tree guy" at the council. The tree surgeon wouldn't touch them until we had that permission.

He also needed permission for taking out the the willow that had self-seeded between the garage and the side wall and which was damaging the wall.

The tree guy at the council is very reasonable - although we live in a leafy conservation area where the trees are a key part of the ambiance, he will give permission for crown reduction. And if a tree does need to be removed, you're expected to plant another one.

Iirc, the work for the whole lot was £1600. £4,000 for "managing" a single tree is totally OTT - and I don't believe you don't need permission.

That was 8 years ago (so prices will have increased since then ) - we probably need to think about reducing the crown again. We share the cost with our downstairs neighbours (we live in the upper half of a Victorian stone villa) - but they are very reasonable. And of course we would share the quotes