Tree roots spreading to property - advice on next steps?

[NoIdeaWhyNow]

Hi,

I've recently bought my first property (ground floor flat) and it includes the front garden. There's a relatively mature tree directly in front of the flat and the paving/tarmac around its base has shifted significantly due to the roots. Similarly, some of the paving in my front garden is uneven which looks less like bad work laying the paving, more like roots are pushing up. Before I venture onto the council website to figure out how to contact them, I wanted to see if anyone has experience of dealing with this and has any advice/watch outs? Thank you!

Was this not brought up by the survey when you bought the property?

You didn't notice any of this when you viewed the property and never read the surveyors report?

Yes, it was raised in the survey as a potential watch out in the future. The paving wasn't noticeable because the front garden was significantly overgrown so it's only come to light as I've had it cleared. And it's not significant damage, it's uneven but you wouldn't trip over it. It's not having any impact on the property right now - I'm seeing it more as a pre-emptive approach.

If it is just on the patio and not the foundations then ignore it. Trees are good and you should let it grow

What are you wanting the council to do? Cut down a mature tree because your paving is a little bit uneven?

No, not at all - preference would be to keep the tree. More about what they can do to check that the roots haven't spread to the foundations.

Bear in mind if it a mature tree it may be under a tree protection order. If you've decided your first step is the local authority you're on the right track. But whose land is the tree on? Your survey should confirm this.

I live on a lovely, leafy road. However, on the side of the road where the trees are, the pavement is lifted to the extent that you can't really walk on it, never mind get a pram or wheelchair down it. My neighbour has been complaining about this endlessly but nothing has been done in the 10 years I have lived here.

The problem with most leafy streets is that the trees put in were unsuitable due to the size they would reach, but but no-one expected them to last so long and now they've slapped TPOs on them.

In my last house the street trees were replaced with silver birch, which is much more suitable, but only because they were all diseased. I loved the original trees but I loved my roof more!

How far away is the tree from the building?

I've had an issue with subsidence and a tree on the pavement outside. I did go through insurance and there was full measurement to demonstrate that it was the tree, but it's now on a more rigourous pruning schedule than the other trees on the street, and it's pollarded right back to the trunk every couple of years.

Having said that, they have removed a couple over the road because they were having a significant effect on the houses. They originally said they were going to replace them with a smaller and more suitable tree, but apparently the pavement isn't wide enough so the trees have just gone.

Get a proper arboricultural survey and advice.

They are good in the right place. Overgrown trees near house are not in the right place and can cause issues and be a real nuisance.

The issue is also that councils of the 1930s/40s/50s planted these trees with the expectation that they would be pruned/pollarded/maintained as necessary.

The reality is these days due to budget cuts, councils just let them grow out of control, and only do any work if they become dangerous.

Who owns the freehold? If the Council, then certainly get in touch with them. If not, worth speaking to the management company who you pay monthly/annual fees - this could be on them to support you with as it affects the structure of the outside property. See what happens there, and if not, either speak to your insurance or contact the Council and see what they say.

What species of tree is it?