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Can I lower my neighbour’s hedge if it grows into my backyard? Authorized rights defined

There’s nothing extra annoying than a hedge encroaching in your property, so this is what you may truly do about it.

Hedges are a standard reason for neighbourly disputes (Picture: Getty)

Pressure between you and your neighbours isn’t nice, it doesn’t matter what it is about. Backyard disputes are quite common, and it is not all the time simple to know who’s in the best.

For instance, in case your neighbour has a hedge, it might generally develop too giant and begin encroaching in your backyard. You may be tempted to cut the branches down, however earlier than you head outdoors with the shears, it is value understanding what’s truly authorized and what is not. Failing to comply with the principles might land you in sizzling water, and your neighbour might even take you to court docket for damaging their property.

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In line with the official authorities web site, you may trim your neighbour’s hedge if it grows into your property by way of their house or a public highway – however solely underneath sure situations.

It is solely acceptable to trim as much as the property boundary. Should you do greater than this, your neighbour might take you to court docket for damaging their property.

Your neighbour is chargeable for sustaining their hedges so they do not trigger any injury your property or develop too excessive. In the event that they do trigger any injury, your neighbour could also be liable.

With a view to keep away from doubtlessly breaking the legislation, it is value checking who truly owns the hedge earlier than trimming it. The solicitors at Bonallack and Bishops stated: “If it transpires that you’ve got trimmed or moved a hedge which belongs to another person, you might be held liable and compelled to pay substantial authorized prices.

“There are not any exhausting and quick guidelines as regards to boundary possession, and the one approach to discover out who owns a boundary border is to examine the deeds on the Land Registry. Usually, there’ll be no definitive reply and it’ll in the end be a shared duty.”

Then again, in case your hedge has grown in order that it overhangs your neighbour’s property, they’ve the best to chop off the half that has encroached over the boundary line. They need to return the components that they’ve lower off to your land.

And if any cuts are made in your facet of the boundary, it could be an offence underneath the Felony Harm Act 1971, until they’ve a lawful excuse.

You’ll be able to then make a civil declare for any injury triggered, however it’s all the time value making an attempt to debate the issue together with your neighbour first.

Should you’re apprehensive about approaching them, write a letter, explaining the issue clearly and sticking to the details.

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