Neighbours cut down trees before completion

[Annemum6]

I've just had an ail from our solicitor saying the neighbour has cut down some trees on the property we are buying. It will be in a small 'wooded' area of the garden which we loved. We've exchanged and were due to complete next week.

I can only assume that they haven't been removed by a proper tree surgeon and that stumps are left. What would you do? Any idea on our options?

I would be very wary of a neighbour that thinks it is acceptable to trespass and cut down trees. The timing is not coincidental. Definately get photos or go and look before you do anything.

I'm wondering if the trees had been a problem for your neighbour and they seized the opportunity if they knew moving date.

I'd be tempted to go and have a look and then have a chat with the neighbour to get their story

You should visit the property to ensure it’s nothing that would reduce the value.

I’d be demanding to see photos of the cut down trees today!

Wow! Sounds like exactly the sort of thing my neighbour would have done given the chance. Not a great way to start a relationship.

wow. depending on species and age/condition the timber could be worth an absolute fortune, as well as not being able to be replaced easily.
Have you seen the price of oak beams cut from a good sized stem.
As well as destroying the property, if they have taken the wood that is theft

Regardless of what the neighbour has done the op would find in very expensive to just pull out after exchange. Even if the house burned down the op would still be legally obliged to go ahead. She needs to check the contracts to see if it covers who is responsible for this sort of event.

I'd worry there was some sort of neighbour from hell type scenario going on here

Or an ongoing dispute and difficult relationship at the very least. I know it's tricky at this point, OP, but tread carefully. Bad neighbours can be incredibly stressful for years to come.

You DO insure the house you are BUYING from EXCHANGE, not completion.

Wrong.

The buyer is responsible for insurance between exchange and completion.

That lat post was to Bluntness100.

That’s not true, you only insure from completion.

@knittingaddict

Wrong.

The buyer is responsible for insurance between exchange and completion.

Ah ok I stand corrected.

@VenusClapTrap

Very naughty and not all that uncommon. I would be insisting the vendors pay for replacement trees.

exactly, they can deal with the neighbour themselves. It's not your problem.

The property should be in the exact same condition it was at the time of exchange. I would make a HUGE fuss right now. They are breaking the contract, or are any responsible for any issue.

If you wait, you will be the bad guy with the new neighbour, you haven't exchanged so you can always blame the seller at a later date if you need. Once it has been resolved.

@Annemum6
I'd be concerned that there's an undisclosed neighbour dispute around the trees and the neighbour has finally trespassed to cut the trees - I'd be very concerned about 1. The damage done and 2. The potential for an ongoing neighbour dispute.

I think you need very clear info from the vendor as to the circumstances. If they won't come clean I'd pull out - you don't want to inherit a psycho neighbour

As you've exchanged I don't think there's an awful lot you can do about it. I'd be arranging to go for a visit as soon as possible to see exactly whats what.
If the neighbour cut down trees actually on the property you're buying they must have had permission from the current owner (presumably?) If they've just cut down trees on the boundary it may not be a huge issue at all? You can't know until you've actually seen for yourself and know all the facts about who gave permission to actually do the cutting down.

It should be both buyer and seller insuring the property. The buyer, because the risk is theirs from exchange, and the seller, because if they have a mortgage, they must keep the property insured.

Horrendous OP. Let us know what happens.

If there is an undisclosed dispute, there may be grounds to withdraw, despite exchange. This is very much for a solicitor to handle.

Oh no, I think you need to insist on a visit asap. If it's major alterations, see what your solicitor says about pulling out. I agree you could have a nightmare neighbour problem.

@Bluntness100

That sounds odd. The neighbours went on and cut down trees on the land you’re buying?

Has happened before www.thejournal.ie/dublin-trees-cut-down-2737796-Apr2016/

Trees are one issue, potential neighbours from hell are another...

Annemum6

You should post on the property forum on money saving expert.
You will receive more fact-base advice than opinion.

@Lulola

I would be alarmed at the fact the neighbour seems to think they can do whatever they want in other people’s properties, it would be worrying me what else they think they can get away with. Even if the trees didn’t bother me I think I would pull out if possible. Unless you can go and meet the neighbour and see for yourself?

I agree. Also felling trees is not allowed in nesting season unless the tree is dangerous. As it wasn’t even on their land there is no way they can say that ! They will have had to do it themselves too, unless they used a very dodgy tree surgeon. I would not want to live next door to someone so awful.

You need to find out if they did it without permission. They could be problematic in the future . You need to see the property and speak to the vendor .

Apart from the trees and issues surrounding that, it makes me wonder what delights are in store regarding the neighbours and how they act!