next door's hedge

Boundary hedges can cause problems. Perhaps you could have a quiet word and let them know the problems it is causing you. It could be they just haven't noticed. I am having a similar problem at the moment as the plants in my neighbours garden are encroaching onto my drive. In the past it wasn't a problem because my Husband would keep it cut back but now I am on my own I'm sure it is a question of my neighbour not realising the problem

Is it actually their hedge, glitabo, or a shared boundary? Usually if a hedge divides one property from another it's considered shared, even though one side may actually 'own' it, and if so it would be your responsibility to keep your side cut.
Are these new neighbours, and did the old neighbours trim the entire hedge? If so you could point out that fact. Otherwise, as Barrow has suggested, a plea to their better nature might produce an offer of help.

You certainly don't have to cart the cuttings away. In fact in law they belong to the hedge owner. So, perhaps if you asked them politely if they would come and collect the cuttings, they might take the hint?

You could even point out your difficulty to them. Perhaps, as Barrow says, they haven't realised.

Is there a fence on your side as well?

Anagram, I moved into this house 2 years ago and the house next door was empty. When the new neighbours moved in they cut back the hedge on their side and I asked the young man if he would cut it on my side as well and although he did not do it himself, his father in law did it for me.
I haven't asked him since then. I suppose it is a shared boundary but I am not sure as this is a rented house.
I won't make a fuss about it with the neighbours. I shall just get on with it, but I do feel better now that I have had a moan and a cup of tea.

Thanks Barrow and Anagram for your support and interest.

JO4,
On the left hand side (when facing the end of the garden)there is a fence and the other neighbours hedge peeps above it. That neighbour pops round to my garden and cuts the overhang when he cuts his hedge.
The side I was talking about is on the right (when facing the bottom of the garden).
Where parts of the hedge are missing there are fence panels. I had those put in as there were gaps into next door's garden. I paid for some of them and the landlord of my house paid for some.

I have just been out to have a look in the back garden.
The hedge is definitely in the next door garden and in places is behind the fence. Also, the original concrete posts and wire is there dividing the 2 houses and the hedge is on the neighbours side of that. Also the hedge is over 12 feet high and has not been trimmed down at all even when they first moved in as they do not have a ladder.
Now I am getting obsessive.

I wonder if it could be the landlord's responsibility?

Right, so it definitely belongs to them. So they must at least dispose of the cuttings. I would think it would be up to them to come and cut it.

Contact landlord and ask?

Well, you can't do it if it is 12' high!

Yes, I agree, definitely contact the landlord and ask him whose responsibility the hedge is, and for him to speak to the neighbours about it. I wonder if there's anything specified in your lease? And theirs, of course.

Thank you everybody. I shall contact the landlord and keep you informed.

What kind of hedge is it, glitabo? If it is a leylandii hedge you can contact your local council as there is now legislation stating that a hedge must be no higher than 2mtrs if it is spoiling the enjoyment of a person's garden. There is quite a hefty fine for failure to comply.

Certainly don"t want to seem unsympathetic , but just wondering what landlord can do if it their hedge and not a lleylandi ? Keep fingers crossed they are decent people and realise your plight .

Well, they may be in breach of the terms of their lease, Nonu if it's up to them to cut the hedge. Or the landlord may have to do it himself if there's nothing specific mentioned in the lease.

Didn"t realise house next door is rented

The landlord would know who the hedge belongs to. And if it belongs to him he might arrange for it to be cut back. Especially if Glitabo states her predicament.

Not sure who is liable legally, landlord or tenant.

Can't hurt to ask.

Suppose it depends how lease drawn up , most expect tenants to keep garden tidy and cared for

Have a look here Glitabo. scroll down to 'help with gardening if you're not a council tenant'

We have crossed swords (or should that be shears) several times over our neighbours Laurel hedge which they planted when they moved here 25 years ago. Our rear garden is North facing and the hedge which has been up to 15ft at times, bordered the garden on two sides depriving our small garden of available light. The roots from his cherry tree also encroached on our land causing damage to our patio and drains. In the end we sought legal advice and he had to fell the tree, however we were left to claim for the damage from our house insurance.

Every 2 years he would trim it and level it off and my DH would trim our side and throw the branches back over. Our neighbour passed away last year and it's obvious his wife is unable to manage the large garden. My DH has a lot of health problems and is unable to trim the hedge at all now so it is left to me to do what I can. Sooner or later we are going to have to broach the subject again although we will be very very reluctant to offer to share the costs of having the hedge trimmed.

I am afraid people get very precious about their trees and hedges. Personally I think there should be a law in force which prevents people planting trees which are capable of growing to great heights along boundary walls and fences.

Tempers did flare at times I must admit I found it much easier to write down my concerns and complaints always making sure I had copies of any letters I wrote.

We found our local CAB very helpful and indeed they provided us with legal advice which helped a great deal.

Good Luck glitabo

The only disagreement angel next door and I have is about the Xmas tree she planted after Xmas in her garden about 20years ago! It is against the fence and overhangs my garden. It is at least 20ft high ans scraggly! It takes nourishment and shades my raspberries!Grrrrrrrrrrr

jeni Copper nails dead of night?

Not that I would advocate killing a tree....

Butternut does that little tip you gave jeni work on Laurel?

I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IT. I even have the nails! But I'm sure the first thing she would think of is sabotage!
It was planted by her 'babies!' who are know in their fourties!