Retaining wall collapsed

[MrAlyakhin]

I have a retaining wall between me and the neighbours which has collapsed a bit. The land belongs to a block of flats but it's not really accessed or used by anyone, it's at the end of their car park in an area of scrubland that seems to be left alone. I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed due to the trees and shrubs there. There are two large trees where it's collapsed planted either side of the boundary about 8 feet apart. One is on my land and is probably the cause of the collapse. The other is even larger on my neighbours land.

I'm not worried it's going to collapse further as I am sure it's related to this tree. I'm not worried about the land collapsing because of the trees currently holding it all together.

I'm having the tree reduced in size this week. I can see how one of the branches has grown in such a way it's likely damaged the wall. I could have this branch removed which would be a lot cheaper than removing the entire tree. But it's an evergreen tree it will look awful from the neighbours side as it will leave it all brown and it won't regrow.

Am I responsible for fixing the wall?

Can I get away with just removing the branch even if it leaves my tree looking bad from their side?

I have no idea who owns the flats. If they want it fixed will they get in touch?

So the retaining wall is such a height that the branches of your tree have damaged it? Reducing the tree in height a removing the offending branch isn’t going to do anything - the damage is done and as weather gets into the damage it will cause it to deteriorate and it can happen pretty fast. I’d urge you to check your house insurance and arrange a specialist survey of the wall. Do you really want several tonnes of bricks and earth landing in your garden or worse your house? If that happens it will be tens of thousands to fix

I’d get a few surveyors out and also plan for a party wall act agreement.

you need to establish who owns and is responsible for maintenance and also the cause of the current situation and who’s responsibility this is/was.

you need to deal with the cause first, if that’s your tree it probably does need to come out as it will continue growing and intimately it’s normally the roots that cause structural problems. However this is where you need a surveyor to advise.

it could get expensive very quickly. As somebody else suggested it may be best to go via insurance co.

I'm another one who says get in touch with your insurance for a survey / assessment. The surveyor will tell you all you need to know, and find the owners/ lease holders of the flats.

Retaining walls and boundaries are really important things. A damaged tree and roots, water getting into where it has collapsed and more will lead to more and more damage. If it's your responsibility the house will be unsellable and devalued because of this, plus you risk issues of the wall continuing to move.

If your tree is causing this, trimming will not solve it. It needs removing.

Don't ignore this one or hope it might be fine - it needs action.

First port of call is talk to your insurance company. Then a tree surgeon. Take it from there.
I deal with this situation quite often at work and the insurers will be able to advise you.

I’ve been looking into this as we’re looking at buying a house with a lot of retaining walls. Generally the retaining wall is the responsibility of the owner of the land it is holding up. I presume in this instance it’s the flats? But it’s not massively clear cut so you will need advice.

Thanks all, I'll see about a surveyor. So the land being supported is mine but it's all at some distance from anyone's house so no danger to anyone.

I can easily get a quote to have my tree removed this week. Looking at it now I definitely think it's our tree that's the issue and you can't fix the wall with it where it is.

The cost won’t be removing the tree. Retaining walls will be expensive to rebuild so get that repaired!

Yes get special advice, the tree will be removing water, you could then experience heave if the walls drainage is insufficient

Usually the wall is the responsibility of the owner of the land that the footings are on, so not normally the owner of the land being held up. A surveyor will be able to advise but I would definitely go through your insurance company, in case it gets expensive