Owning your own home

If you own the tree or hedge

Your neighbour can cut any branches that are overhanging into their garden as long as they only remove the bits on their side of the boundary.

If they want you to cut your tree or hedge just because they don’t like the way it looks, it’s up to you whether you do the work. You should check if the tree or hedge is dangerous before you decide.

If your neighbour says your tree is dangerous, you could ask a tree surgeon for advice. It’s also worth finding out if your council can check if the tree is safe - you can find your council’s website on GOV.UK. Search for ‘trees’ to find which department to contact.

Your hedge might count as a ‘high hedge’ if it’s over 2 metres - check the definition on the Royal Horticultural Society website. Your neighbour could report it to your local council and you could be told to cut your hedge.

Their side of the boundary -> you don't have to cut it

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/problems-where-you-live/if-you-disagree-with-your-neighbour-about-a-tree-or-hedge/

I know I don't but the question is, is it usual to share the maintenance of a boundary hedge that is owned by one side or leave the maintenance to the owner?

Do this on their side.

i guess it maybe depends a bit, like my next door neighbour doesn't care for their garden so I hack away at everything hovering over the boundary in an attempt to keep things under control. If it was a hedge someone had invested time and care into, I guess they might not want someone fucking it up (but then maybe they should be proactive about that)

I wouldn't ask my neighbour to come and trim their hedge, mainly coz I don't want to be letting them in and keeping an eye on things, or worse still, getting into some sort of conversation with them.

Got my plan sorted.

1. Say no via short email
   
2. don't look her in the eyes ever again
   
3. don't leave the house ever again
   

Or

1. Put house up for sale
   

Plant frozen sausages on neighbours side of hedge so the hedge is the least of their worries.

Done, at a massive discount with a big I'm desperate smile in my face.

Buy a hedge trimmer, practice butchering it on their side, then do a decent job on your side with your new skills

Your neighbour can cut any branches that are overhanging into their garden as long as they only remove the bits on their side of the boundary.

My interpretation is that this means you can't complain if your neighbour cuts your tree/hedge so long as they don't go into your side. I don't think it says anything about who should be cutting it.

Some really sad news from Mike (forum approved mortgage guy) about his wife.

I’m so gutted for him and his kids.
He has done so much to help me.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mikebrowncrystalclear_this-is-not-a-business-post-but-there-are-activity-7155096483833278465-n2nn

I’m on your camp, fwiw, their side they deal with it.
We have hedges growing in from our neighbours and I’d never expect them to deal with it.

Your neighbours are atypical.

Your atypical.

Plant sausages

They grow on vines apparently

what sort of budget would you be thinking of to clear out this place and make it really nice?

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139769177#/

My gut feel is that it would be too much.

Re-wire
Heating
Roof
Windows
Re-configure downstairs at the back and make a decent kitchen, probably need to extend a bit
Fit in a downstairs loo
New bathroom upstairs
Probably most of it will need re-plastering
Decorate everywhere

This wouldn't be DIY - I'm past that.

Would £150k do all that?

Does it need reroofing or rewiring, there's nothing that screams it needs doing.

That rear lean-to needs to come down surely?Just removing that and a proper rear 1 story extension plus kitchen I think you're looking at 100k

I had a look at it from the street and would say the roof will need doing at some point - maybe not right away. I put off doing the roof on our current house for 20 years but then it was ££ when we eventually did it last year.

Wiring is just a guess but judging by the state of the house I'd think it would be likely to need doing - and it's best to get that done first as it's so disruptive to do it later on.

Yes to the lean-to coming down.

Would £150k do all that?

No. Well, probably not unless you went for the most basic of stuff, i.e. concrete roof tiles, shit bathroom, shit kitchen, shit extension.

Does it have side access? You could insulate that EOT wall if so. If not... fuck that.

From what I could see, the side access belongs to the next door house which is a minus point.

On balance, i think

fuck that

is probably the right answer. Others clearly agree as it's been on for quite a few months. The things I like about it are:

The footprint is a good size
The garden is a good size and south facing
The location is within our preferred quadrant of Leyton/stone
Road is ok, not too busy

Doing it all to the most basic std would defeat the object of what we are trying to do. When I say "trying", all that has amounted to so far is me spending a bazillion hours on rightmove and also walking around leyton/stone and forest gate rather extensively.

Right location, big footprint, large south facing garden. None of those things can be added later. Go for it!

We’re doing all of the things you’ve mentioned above to our house, plus double dormer loft extension, for not much more than your ballpark figure, and not scrimping on finishes. It is achievable if you’re up for orchestrating most of it yourself.

Even by the standards of estate agents, that write -up reads like parody

Outside, a generous garden beckons, offering a serene retreat from the bustling world outside. Imagine hosting gatherings, gardening adventures, or simply enjoying a peaceful morning coffee in your own green oasis.

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You definitely get TV reception though.

No, there is literally nothing that’s staying, you could sort out the back extension for your budget and be living in what is essentially student rental accommodation.
Price up the replacement windows, lifting floors for new heating and electrics then the inevitable making good/replastering plus moving the boiler from the lean-too plastic roofed apology for a conservatory and see what’s left, not enough for an extension/bathroom/kitchen.

I thought my response was harsh.