Nuisance Neighbour (Issues over Trees)

LGuest35 on 01/07/2019 - 21:41
Last edited 02/07/2019 - 18:32 by 2 other users

Hi
I have a rental property in southern suburb for about 10 years, the house was built in early 70s. There are 3 big trees around my house in front and backyard. And there is a huge gumtree outside of my property in between my and neighbors house. I had my tenants complain only ONCE for clogged sewer lines about 6 years ago because of the roots, which was resolved as per their request.

Just recently, neighbour (same one sharing the council tree) contacted my real estate agent and verbally abused them to get all those 3 trees cut down as well as pay off her $600 plumbing expenses. Also she threatened she’s sick of paying plumbing expenses every year and if trees are not cut within 2 weeks of her call, she will take a legal notice. She claims she has to incur heavy plumbing expenses because of the trees on my property.

I have no idea about what should be done? How can the neighbor prove if it’s my trees causing issues to her, when my property has had no sewerage damage in last six years? I did contact council and it was of no help as they said, the neighbor has all the right to take it to court?!? Anyone has any suggestion? I am not in a state to get those 3 trees cut down as well as pay her $600.
Thanks

Home & Garden

Comments

  • WhoGiveAShxt on 02/07/2019 - 19:48

    If I was you, I would try to be reasonable to her. sometime people just snap because of their personal matters or middle-life crisis. Communicating with her VIA your agent of course.

    If she insist on legal actions, there is her right because she could sue anyone for any matters. Whether she could win the case would be a different case.

    If would be difficult that proving her plumbing issues have strong correlation with those trees in your property. If she win this case, no landlord with plants in their yard are safe.

    • robbyjones on 02/07/2019 - 19:52

      I wouldn't entertain the neighbour at all. The agent is acting on behalf of the owner of a rental property, not to mediate between neighbours. Having temper tantrums and making stupid demands shouldn't be rewarded with any response.

  • lonewolf on 02/07/2019 - 20:12

    I am going through something like this as well, For the past few years, the house behind me was rented out and no issues. Then the owners moved in and within 2 weeks cut down all trees on their property and even plants etc, nothing left but grass. (from what i have been told by the council they are from a culture where they generally like to cut all trees down) Anyway they then got onto my back about cutting down a fig tree as well as a small mandarin plant / tree and pretty much anything with roots and every few weeks will leave messages on my front door about it. Initially i thought if it was a big issue then i can then i started talking to the council as well as other neighbours and realised that maybe this was just a ruse to get me to cut down all the trees on my property too as they just dont like plant life it seems.

    I am not currently in a position to cut the trees down as i may be forced to sell the house as it is so i have been holding out. They leave messages about the fact that i am at fault if there are any plumbing issues on their property and they havent even offered to pay for some of the work required to cut down the trees anyway.

    • BartholemewH on 02/07/2019 - 20:28
      +1

      I'm wondering why you are obliged to give a shit about their culture as it relates to their preferences for trees?

      Leave notes on their front door every week telling them to replant their trees.

      Edit: Sorry to hear about your situation re: selling up.

      • lonewolf on 03/07/2019 - 11:07

        I am not even sure if they got permission from council to cut down some of their trees as i think some may have been over the 5m rule but i have no evidence either way. Its a shame as their backyard actually looks quite bad and also more heat now comes onto my backyard but thats alright, the worst part is i feel bad for the birds and other wildlife that used to be on their trees/ backyard. I notice there are less birds around now.

        On some of the letters, they somewhat imply legal action as well as that i am responsible for any damage onto their property and plumbing.

  • simmos on 02/07/2019 - 21:28
    -1

    Tell her just like overhanging branches, she's entitled to cut off whats invading her space/property. If the roots are indeed the cause, you don't have to worry because you are not responsible for what roots do if they go outside your property. Tell her you will see her in court and will expect costs if she loses. She will lose if she ever had the gall to take you before a court.

  • taoz on 02/07/2019 - 21:41
    +1

    have you spoken to your insurer, to see where you stand?

  • ode1online on 02/07/2019 - 23:17
    -4

    Hi welcome to the forum

  • Tacooo on 03/07/2019 - 13:03
    -1

    I would honestly suggest getting a camera setup pointed at those trees. Wouldn't be surprised if the bitch took matters into her own hands and drilled holes in the trees before pouring weed killer inside.

    • funnysht on 03/07/2019 - 15:23
      -1

      thanks for hte instruction comment -___-

      • Tacooo on 03/07/2019 - 16:16

        Thanks for your very "instruction" comment back mate! Please explain how mine is not "instruction"? It certainly wouldn't be the first case of a neighbour doing this to be spiteful. It's a very common tactic in scenarios like this and there are literally dozens of news reports and articles to back me up.

        By all means, if he wants to possibly let her kill the tree off then he can. No skin off my back. But it sounds like he likes the tree unless I've misread something.

        • Kamsi on 03/07/2019 - 23:39

          nvm

  • trapper on 03/07/2019 - 14:36
    +1

    Why do you want this huge gumtree next to your rental anyway?

    Why not see this as an opportunity and ask the neighbour to contribute to the removal costs, you are "doing it for her" after all.

    • funnysht on 03/07/2019 - 15:22

      i heard people post 2nd hand items on gumtrees. So this is a real opportunity here.

  • funnysht on 03/07/2019 - 15:18

    My suggestion is:
    See if she can prove that the roots are causing the damage, or use common sense.
    If it is, offer her to split the cost of removing the trees.

    It's easy to say not your problem, but having to spend $600 a year to fix plumbing issues is pretty annoying, imagine if you were in her situation.

    As to it didn't cause a problem before- well tree roots grow, so now it is a problem.

  • CalmLemons on 03/07/2019 - 20:41
    +1

    lol.

    Don't worry about this, as in don't stress too much - but consider removing the trees before they become a bigger issue.

    Tree removal is going to cost you $1500 min per tree.

    You would also need to check with council before removing any trees depending on your local laws.

    As for the neighbour - it would be very costly for her to prove damage and then take you to court over removing indigenous trees. People threaten people all the time without knowing the full cost of doing so with slim chances of winning.

    Councils can only tell you what to do generally if it encroaches on and damages council assets. They normally don't get involved with civil disputes.

    You'll need to find common ground with this one, you both will need to work together on this.

    • qwerty on 03/07/2019 - 22:26
      +1

      Very costly ?

      She has to get a plumber to run a camera down the pipe and prove root damage , then dig up the root and trace it to the trees

      I think she will come out in front cost wise

  • Kamsi on 03/07/2019 - 23:44

    Neighbor wars can be very stressful, I know I almost had a big argument with my neighbor over extreme noise cause by alcohol and partying over the wee hours. I don't against partying and consumption of alcohol but this dude need his sleep time :)

  • Thaal Sinestro on 04/07/2019 - 04:23

    What is it with all these tree haters. They cannot see a vegetation without wanting to fell and mulch it. If people detest beautiful trees (remember, without flora there would be non mammalian life), depart suburbia and live in an inner city apartment. New estates are completely treeless now, every speck of vegetation annihilated. It is a priviledge to live in a leafy suburb.

    To avoid clogged gutters, people can install gutter guards, a modest one time expense over the life of the house.

    • db87 on 04/07/2019 - 08:52

      I'm not against them and love my green area (inner east Victoria) but damage and or danger is where I draw the line.

      Also gutter guard only does so much. It doesn't stop small dirt, etc still getting through and creating a dampness and moss problem - speaking from first hand experience after installing my own gutter guard and regular cleaning.

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