Council tree roots causing damage/subsidence?

[chocolateorangeterry]

Live on an ex council estate, we privately own. We live in direct line with a large tree that is owned by the council. For at least 10 years the tree has been causing issues with the sewage system and causing blockages, with tree roots growing through pipes etc. and we think it may now be causing these further issues

We've now noticed large amount of cracking on our brick porch with the column completely shifting away. There is one property closer to the tree than us, which has worse cracking. Other properties surrounding us have cracking too, including a council owned property opposite which has serious cracks to their wall

The pavement outside has major subsidence issues, they are visible and a major trip hazard - the floor below drains has completely dropped leaving them raised with rough concrete around the edges, there is major cracking on the floor and loose concrete etc.

Has anyone got any advice on what to do? I've tried getting the council out to look at the pavements as they are dangerous to get the ball rolling but they said it's not a priority so they won't attend.

Speak to your Insurance Company, the council will also have insurance and your provider will liaise with them to essentially get them to sort out the damage

Your insurers will send someone out who will assess the damage and identify the cause.
They'll likely send out someone to dig a few holes to take samples of the roots to identify the tree causing the issue.

They'll then organise to get the tree removed - the council might do this or your insurance company may instruct someone else.

They'll also monitor the movement of the property over this period (the put screws and metal fixings in place and come out every 6-8 weeks to measure movement).

One they are satisfied things have stopped moving and that the trees were the issue they will then organise for repairs and redecoration

This can be a long process. We reported our subsidence over 2 and a half years ago and are just at the repairs and redecoration phase. There were lots of delays with ours though - covid, not being clear who owned the property the tree was on, neighbours objecting to the tree being cut down etc etc. I think it could be done in 12-18 months

We had to pay £1000 excess and now we have a record of subsidence on the property. However the whole outside of our house is being repainted as well as our hall and living room.

@Andthenanothercupoftea

Your insurers will send someone out who will assess the damage and identify the cause. They'll likely send out someone to dig a few holes to take samples of the roots to identify the tree causing the issue.

They'll then organise to get the tree removed - the council might do this or your insurance company may instruct someone else.

They'll also monitor the movement of the property over this period (the put screws and metal fixings in place and come out every 6-8 weeks to measure movement).

One they are satisfied things have stopped moving and that the trees were the issue they will then organise for repairs and redecoration

This can be a long process. We reported our subsidence over 2 and a half years ago and are just at the repairs and redecoration phase. There were lots of delays with ours though - covid, not being clear who owned the property the tree was on, neighbours objecting to the tree being cut down etc etc. I think it could be done in 12-18 months

We had to pay £1000 excess and now we have a record of subsidence on the property. However the whole outside of our house is being repainted as well as our hall and living room.

Thank you so much, this is so so helpful

One thing I am worried about - my Mum owns the house, her house insurance was up for renewal in December and she changed providers because it was cheaper. I have previously emailed the council directly regarding the cracks/damage to our house from the tree (before we renewed the insurance but emailed in my name) but nothing came of it - will this cause us any issues?

I just feel sick with worry over the whole thing, my Mum doesn't have much money, her house isn't worth much to begin with but it's all she has and I can tell she's worried sick about it

@arthurdaly

Speak to your Insurance Company, the council will also have insurance and your provider will liaise with them to essentially get them to sort out the damage

Thank you - this is next on our list to do!

As long as the trees are declared on the insurance (most ask if there are any trees over x tall with x of the boundary) you should be ok. Although one of the trees that was linked to ours wasn't declared as we thought it was further away and they didn't seem to care.
Our policy did go up £400 p/a almost immediately following the claim.

My only advice is to chase, chase, chase as there are loads of different parties involved. It's more of an admin nightmare than anything else!

I spent such a long time sick with worry that my house was going to fall down. It wasn't until the repair men came out and cut around the cracks and we realised they were all relatively minor (despite being quite large) that I felt I could breathe.

Be careful about ringing the legal helpline if it is part of your insurance. I rang ours to see if they could get a solicitor to send the council a letter asking them to reduce the tree. Next thing I know the insurance company are refusing to renew our insurance. Worried sick.