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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Neighbours cut down trees before completion

314 replies

Annemum6 · 22/06/2021 11:27

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?

OP posts:

SunshineCake · 22/06/2021 14:14

That sounds so stressful. I hope it isn't as bad as you fear.

jasjas1973 · 22/06/2021 14:16

Pull out, your future neighbours are twats, you'll always loath them.

ButtonMoonLoon · 22/06/2021 14:16

I would go and look at it before deciding next steps - but I’d certainly do this ASAP and before the packers start work in case there are any other surprises…..

AwayLand34 · 22/06/2021 14:17

Hiya.
Just to let you know that trees, particularly mature trees are heavily protected. You should talk to a tree lawyer (yes they exist) the payout for someone cutting down trees on your property is enormous because they cannot easily be switched like for like. If the neighbours have had the gall to cut trees on your property down they will pay a hefty sum for that.

Technically as it's not your property yet, I would pull out. And state the reason as the vandalism. If the seller isn't that bothered then that should be a huge cause for concern. You should also go and visit and assess the damage for yourself. Do not leave it up to the seller to explain/give vague statements.

Do not exchange without this being acknowledged. If you move in withou causing a fuss they're liable to do it again and it's not right (if it's not on their land).

KitKatLife101 · 22/06/2021 14:17

Check if the trees are covered by a tree preservation order , they were you don’t want to compete and be responsible for the breach

DeclineandFall · 22/06/2021 14:18

I'd ask for photographs to be sent today so you can see what has happened. Though I agree with everyone else who says bad neighbour alert - unless the property owner agreed this with them - which is worse maybe.

notapizzaeater · 22/06/2021 14:19

Can the owner not share a photo with you so you can get your solicitor working in it ?

LindainLockdown · 22/06/2021 14:21

You sound very calm in the circumstances, cant you go and see what they have done today?

BlankTimes · 22/06/2021 14:23

As Sir Vix said

"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'

I agree, you need to get to the bottom of what's happened.

We can all conjecture, but that's not helpful, you need the truth.

claireb7rg · 22/06/2021 14:28

@AwayLand34

Hiya. Just to let you know that trees, particularly mature trees are heavily protected. You should talk to a tree lawyer (yes they exist) the payout for someone cutting down trees on your property is enormous because they cannot easily be switched like for like. If the neighbours have had the gall to cut trees on your property down they will pay a hefty sum for that.

Do not exchange without this being acknowledged. If you move in withou causing a fuss they're liable to do it again and it's not right (if it's not on their land).

They already have exchanged!

Original poster

Annemum6 · 22/06/2021 14:31

I'm definitely not calm but it's a horrid sitsfuon. Prices have hugely gone up, no rentals are available so we may as well just have to go ahead with the purchase anyway. Unfortunately the EA isn't getting back to me so there isn't much I can do other than fret.

OP posts:

Hollywolly1 · 22/06/2021 14:33

I'd be very wary of neighbours like that.The timing was on purpose and I can imagine e it ruined the garden

Tangledtresses · 22/06/2021 14:34

I nearly did that years ago.... the trees blocked all out light and the owners refused to do anything about it as it was rented out... it also had rats nests under the floor boards.

I didn't do it.... but god I wish I had

LIZS · 22/06/2021 14:35

Are you able to meet EA? You need another visit urgently. Is the woodland visible from the road?

Star81 · 22/06/2021 14:35

You need to visit ASAP. If nearby even a quick drive by today would help you see some of the changes ?

Confusedandshaken · 22/06/2021 14:35

@Slub

Well if the trees were a major factor in why you fell in love with the house I'd tell them to get stuffed and pull out.

Too late, they've exchanged.

sparemonitor · 22/06/2021 14:39

Hopefully you have insured the house from exchange and your insurance may have legal cover. Proper legal advice needed but I'd think this invalidates the exchange so you can pull out and I would. that's a dodgy neighbour.

secondspringing · 22/06/2021 14:39

What does your solicitor say about this? S/he really needs to be advising you.

ClutchesPearlsAndFaints · 22/06/2021 14:44

Always remember the EA work for the seller not you, so take everything with a pinch of salt
Your solicitor works for you, ask them to enquire how the sellers intend to put this right. You bought the trees

friendlycat · 22/06/2021 14:45

Gosh that really is a difficult situation. Yes you urgently need to visit the property to see what has happened and how you feel about all of this.

Somehow you are also going to have to try to get to the bottom of why and how the neighbour has cut down the trees. Are the trees that have been cut actually ON the property that you are buying? Or are they the boundary and on the neighbour's property? Surely they must be on the neighbouring property for them to have arranged for them to have been cut down?!

I hope this is the case otherwise you are going to have very problematical neighbours. Good luck with it all. Let's hope it is not as bad as you imagine etc.

4merlyknownasSHD · 22/06/2021 14:46

We wanted to have a tree removed from the next door neighbours garden, and another one pruned to allow more light in to our garden (and his), which we agreed with the neighbour, and we were prepared to pay for the work to be done. I suggested to him that the work was done before he put the house on the market and it was all agreed. Two days before the tree surgeons were due to carry out the work he said that he had instructed agents to sell the house and didn't want the trees cut until he had agreed a sale! This was really odd, we thought, as the purchasers may not want them down. It was potentially either going to be a problem for us (not having the work done at all) or for them (being in the OPs position). In fact we knew the eventual purchasers who had no problem with having the work done, but it would have been maddening if the vendor had told us to get it done after contracts were exchanged and the purchaser had been miffed. It would have meant we got off on the wrong foot with our new neighbours.

BumbleFlump · 22/06/2021 14:46

I’d consider pulling out if I were you if you can at this point, they sound like problem neighbours.

Eviethyme · 22/06/2021 14:48

Errrrr.... Why would your new neighbor think it's okay to cut down trees that arnt theirs? I would be a bit worried about having what could be nightmare neighbours

NoTruckWithFrontedAdverbials · 22/06/2021 14:53

sorry this has happened.
can you drive over and have a look now?

Didicat · 22/06/2021 14:57

@Annemum6 Personally I would be making a visit today unless it’s 3hr+ drive away and visiting the property.

When are you due to complete?

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