Deduct tree removal cost from house price?

[MintfordGreen]

So we’re about to buy a home, we’ve had the surveyor out and he’s said that a row of (very large - roof height) 6 conifers need to be removed as they’re posing a risk to the house and neighbours house. They’ve also said a new boiler is needed.

We are happy to get the new boiler but we can’t stretch to removal of the conifers. Is it reasonable to get a rough quote to have these removed and request this off of the house price?

You can try for a price reduction but be prepared for them to say no.

Keep in mind too you may need permission from your council and the neighbour’s permission before cutting down the trees as it sounds like they are along a joint property boundary so may not be your trees and there may be tree protective order(s) on one or more of them meaning you would be limited to thinning, trimming, at most topping if it does not risk killing them.

Go for it
I’d say no though
and if your seller does the same… what will you do? Walk?

What risk do they pose?

I don't think that's a good reason to ask for a reduction. If the trees have been there for years I doubt there's any immediate risk, you could save up and get them removed later.

I very much doubt the report said 6 conifers need to be removed

They increase the risk of fire. In a tinder dry summer they could catch quickly in a wild fire and act like candles, increasing the chance that yours and neighbouring houses may catch fire. I'd definitely get them removed but it's possibly going to be at your cost.

All large trees pose some risk to a nearby house. That doesn't mean they automatically need to be torn out. Get a second opinion.

Surveyors are always paranoid about trees.
The sellers will likely see this as a CF request for a price reduction.

Yes but I wondered if there was maybe a more immediate risk if OP is considering asking the sellers to pay for it.

I’d get an estimate for their removal. It cost us £1200 last year to have two similar trees removed ( there were other trees in the garden).
In a previous garden we had 6 silver birches along a boundary, our insurance required an inspection and remedial work every 2 years.
Id also ask if there could be a reduction due to the issue.

Removal of trees especially a group of large ones can actually cause issues with subsidence due to soil shrinkage. If they are conifers it would be a better idea to give them a drastic haircut to reduce their height and remove danger to your and neighbours property

The conifers have been planted by the current owner on their own land directly alongside the house, within a metre (not on the border but close to). Tbh it was clearly a stupid thing to do. And yes he used the word ‘need’.

Well it’s never unreasonable to ask, in the sense that the house is only worth what you’re willing to pay for it, and that has now reduced.

@crazymommaclub this is what we’re worried about. The surveyor means also says they’re on shrinkable soil. They’re huge and right up against the house. I am worried removal could cause a bigger issue but also worried if we don’t remove them it’ll cause issue when we come to sell. Thanks for your advice, it’s a tough one!

Need as in need at sometime or need should have been done already?

Every survey shows up stuff like this. As a seller I'd think you were nuts.

You can ask, but their response will be that the trees were clearly visible so not an unexpected feature.

Would need to be removed within the next….. years

@AnnaMagnani good job I’m not buying your house then hey 😉

Personally, I'd walk away at this stage ... took many potential problems.

That would be my response as well. It is not a hidden, costly defect or infestation.

40% of england is shrinkable soil- clay beds. You cannot avoid it unless you go for sand which has its own problems.

Why would you be happy to absorb the cost of a new boiler ? Personally I would assume that unless a house is a "project" it should have an adequate fully serviced and working heating system. If it turned out after offer, that this was not the case, then I would be also reducing my offer by the cost of replacing it, in addition to removing the trees. I think your being too soft. Dont "ask" just reduce your offer with these clear and fair reasons why.

In laws went through this a couple of years ago.
Survey said huge conifers were causing heave and invading drains.

In laws pulled out but noticed the seller had the trees chopped down afterwards.

Years ago leylandii were the thing to plant so those chickens are coming home to roost now.

I would definitely ask the seller for a reduction or to remove the trees themselves.

Blimmin ugly trees anyway.

Have the trees grown there since you viewed the house and agreed the price??

Thats a bit ridiculous. How would you know without proffesional advice that they needed to be removed? This is what surveys are for....