Want to buy house but massive trees behind garden

[BlackberryandNettle]

Not sure if anyone has any advice or experience with anything like this? Hubby and I are first time buyers and saw a house today we'd love to buy. The one off putting thing is 2 very very tall trees behind the garden, which if they fell down could hit the house. Having done a bit of research the neighbouring land is around a load of Taylor Wimpey flats and unless they agreed to the removal of the trees I think we'd be stuck with them. Thinking of telling the estate agent we would buy the place oif the trees come down but I wonder if the sellers will not agree.

Are the trees on private land?

If the trees are mature, they're probably subject to a preservation order and the vendor will not be permitted to cut down.

Why do you want to cut down trees anyway? Trees are massively desirable especially in urban gardens and add a premium to the house price. Pollard the branches that could fall onto the house or result in excessive root growth, and that's you sorted.

Worth considering of the roots will do any damage to your foundations. If you do go ahead get this looked into, and if there has been any history of this. Damage caused by vegetation is one thing, bug of its deemed as subsidence it an be tricky to insure.

You could get a tree surgeon to come and have a look if you're serious about the house and see what they say?

I'd get a tree surgeon's opinion, too. Wouldn't any problems also show up on your survey, if the trees were currently causing structural damage? I love living near trees and out of choice would always look for a wooded backdrop, to be honest.

Maybe I am being a bit paranoid about the trees, but they are just so tall I'd guess over 70 feet - some kind of pine tree - that if they fell they'd demolish the house I think and also cast shadow over the garden. They are on private land. If these trees were removed there would still be normal trees at the back.

How far from the house are they? What is the aspect? Are they Leylandii? Am sure there is specific legislation re the height of Leylandii.

not sure the seller can do much if not on their land?

Specialist tree survey will cost you about £250 and make your decision for you. Fr me it would be about light as well.