Neighbour's trees

[ipsaray]

Hi we have bought a new house in autumn last year. Over the entire autumn and winter we didn't realise that the trees on our neighbours garden are actually blocking any sunlight falling into our garden. We have a conservatory but no light falls into it. They have a row of a 4-5 quite large trees about 10 mtrs high each. Can I legally ask them to cut it down to an acceptable length? We have had a pretty good relationship with them so far, but I'm not sure how to approach this topic. Thanks

I believe that legally you're allowed trim them back if they encroach into your garden but you have no legal rights to insist they cut them /trim them if they're not growing into garden. Your best bet is to ask nicely and offer to pay for tree surgeon.

You should start by asking them and trying to negotiate with them. You don't need any legal backing for that. If that fails you can complain to your council under anti-social behaviour legislation. Note that your council may be reluctant to intervene and may charge a fee.

I wonder if that’s why the house was sold...
Yes I’d approach them nicely and explain. The only thing is, what kind of trees and who is doing the cutting (and paying).
Probably trimming back won’t help and it’s the height that’s the issue...
You can ask the council to intervene I think it’s high hedge law, but they’ll be reluctant, it takes ages and costs a fair bit I believe. It would be my last resort personally.
We have a conifer loving neighbour and a North facing garden, absolute nightmare! Conifers just do not belong in gardens of residential properties. They look dreadful when they’re cut too.

If they are conifers and planted in a row, you might have some redress under the High Hedges Act. If they're deciduous, then unfortunately not, but you can cut them right back so they don't encroach on your boundary (providing you don't do it in such a way to risk the health of the tree). Either is likely to piss your neighbours off though!

Sounds as if you've only recently moved in and not known the garden year round. You might find you get more sun when the sun is higher in the sky in the summer months, and you might also find the shade and privacy they bring is appreciated when you're out in the garden a lot in high summer. I would hold off and see what it's like in June / July; perhaps talk to your neighbours if it's still bad then.

Remember you did buy the house knowing its orientation and with the trees in situ. Buyer beware!

High hedges laws protect you, but most councils charge a lot for an application, ours is 1k. I have just successfully managed to get our neighbour to cut his back just by threatening to complain under high hedges to the council