Neighbours laurel bush is knocking my fence out

[TheGander]

A few years ago I got a gardener to put a new fence in at some cost . Now the neighbours laurel bush is the size of a tree and the fence is pushed out at an alarming angle. It’s also on a steep bank and I know it will cost £ 100s to replace . I have tracked down the owners (landlords in a limited company) and written to them asking them to cut the laurel back, with no response . What action can I take next? For full disclosure it’s so a rental property and I do not live in the same city ( I am the landlord).

Take the panel out, cut back anything hanging over your boundary and replace the fence panel.

Technically you need to offer the cuttings back to the owner, but realistically, I would just dispose of them.

Realistically you are going to have to sort it out. Cut back the laurel and repair the fence/replace etc. I have had and continue to have various broken fence and overhanging hedges issue where I live from rented properties surrounding me. The agent does nothing despite years of complaints and owners are abroad. Yes its very annoying but wasting money on a solicitor to get nowhere either would be annoying. Unfortunately being a Landlord these are the kind of issues you are going to have to deal with. I have paid to repair other fences, cut hedges etc as they impact my property annoying but part of being a property owner.

Annoyingly the onus is probably going to be on you to sort. If you warn them that you will cut it back yourself they’ll be happy to do nothing and let you foot the bill! There
might be some way to claim from them for the damage to your fence but who knows what that involves or will cost in legal fees?
Might sound bonkers but is the fence absolutely needed? I’d be tempted to just remove it, or at least the part where the tree is. Then if the neighbours object, the onus will be on them to sort the problem!

I’d go & remove the panel, ensure you know where the boundary is & cut down deep into the earth to sever roots - folk often plant too close to the boundary sadly causing these problems for others

Thank you for all the replies, it’s actually supportive to hear other peoples experiences. It’s going to be tricky to get access but I am totally up for going over the fence to cut that damn bush. Being defenceless isn’t an option @Emmz1510 the tenants are quite into their privacy. Agree with you @MrsWallers a solicitor probably would be a total waste of money. What I suspect about these landlords who have the property in a Ltd company and live 100s of miles is they are hard nosed business people who won’t give a stuff.

The Agents and Landlords dont care as long as they get their money. Both of them by me are abroad/offshore. But its incredibly infuriating and I think about moving to somewhere with no neighbours constantly!

💯 @MrsWallers