I have a neighbour who planted trees near my property. They drop dirt and leaves into the gas boiler flue which was on the flat roof of the disabled living extension before the trees were planted.
I have been told by the police that I have the legal right to cut the trees back to the boundary, and if I choose not to exercise that right, it is my own fault if my gas flue gets blocked. I wrote to my house insurers last week and so far have only received an auto reply.
When the police rang last month and told me that, I said the neighbour has cut off access so I cannot cut the trees back to the boundary. The branches are spreading across my flat roof and are almost at the apex of my main house roof. The ones with branches spreading over my wheelchair ramp I could cut back to a certain extent if I have £500, but the trunk is so close I would have to have them cut the trunk (it is supposed to be illegal anyway to plant over a drain and 12" from a house wall) the police said I cannot lower the height, so I cannot cut the branches spreading over my ramp. They are also very high.
The trees spreading over the flat roof are higher than the house. It would cost thousands to cut those branches, but it cannot be done from my property because the neighbour has taken up my fence and put wood planks to obstruct my access. The police refuse to comment on that.
I shall be 84 at Christmas and have been disabled since I was 46 in 1987, 9 years before they bought that house.
Has anyone else had this problem? I know I have the legal right to cut the trees back to the boundary. Not only do they block my gas flue, but they rub against the roof and guttering.
They are the reason why I have been refused equity release.
