Forum Topic

Overgrown gardens

With the increase in private rented homes, has there also been an increase in overgrown gardens, or does this also happen is home owner occupied gardens. We have overgrown bushes in our close, so overgrown that it covers over half of the pavement, and with this weather will soon cover the whole width so that people will have to walk in the road. They have reached the height of the house and covers the whole house. The back garden is so overgrown that the trees are blocking any sun light. When asked, the tenant says that he has reported it to his landlord, who has done nothing. Does anyone else have this problem?

Jaz Brown ● 4280d28 Comments

I have overgrown shrubs and tree in my garden. They  hid the unsightly and intrusive 'outhouse/games room" that my neighbour has built. Give me the green of nature any day to these  shanty town garden constructions!.

Susan Norris ● 4267d

Were you able to speak to the landlord next door?

Charles Campbell ● 4267d

The very overgrown bushes have now been cut back off the pavement. People are now able to pass. Hurrah. They are though still over  12ft high!!

Jaz Brown ● 4271d

I can't remember, possibly a couple of weeks. They may have to attempt contacting the property owners. I told them about a shrub that had grown across a pavement to the point where I had to walk in the road and that was sorted out very quickly. If it's a real hazard I suspect the council will deal with it and bill the owner.

Albertina McNeill ● 4273d

How long did it take for the council to act? I have received a 'receipt' from them. I think I may now start throwing the overgrowth back to them. I filled two of the green sacks up last week with their garden waste, not mine!!

Jaz Brown ● 4273d

In the 1960s, when we lived near Ealing Common, we used to cut our overhanging neighbour's trees and bushes and throw the branches back into their garden. They soon got the message.

Gerry Tan ● 4274d

Good idea.Then you are likely to find out the truth of the situation and you are very likely to find that the landlord is keen to co-operate.

Tony Colliver ● 4274d

No, you cannot bill to the landlord.(I think, but couldn't swear to it, that any wood you cut off continues to belong to them as well.)

Tony Colliver ● 4274d

A few years ago I found it challenging to walk down Argyle Road because of overgrown hedges so reported it to the council. Problem solved. Having said that I'd rather see weedy overgrown gardens than concrete.

Albertina McNeill ● 4275d

I sometimes see the lady that lives in that house in Elers Rd in West Ealing so it is habited. There is a Mercedes in the front garden if you look v carefully...Pity the neighbours tho esp as the flat next door was for sale.

Charlotte Carotenuto ● 4277d

Thanks Charles, yo uare the third person today who has suggested a tree surgeon. My neighbour the other side suggested one as the sunlight is also blocked from her garden. We have quite small gardens, so planning what to plant in them is so important. Could we bill it to the landlord? The tenant has said he has contacted him a number of times, but he still has not done anything.

Jaz Brown ● 4278d

You could ask the neighbour the name and contact number of the landlord and/or estate agent and have a chat.  Might work or not.

Charles Campbell ● 4278d

There is simply nothing you can do except hire a Qualified Tree Specialist to cut your side.  I say Qualified because if you kill the tree, a possibility exists that you would be liable.  I have the problem with a rented property next door.

Charles Campbell ● 4278d

Thank you for the advice, waiting to hear from the council.

Jaz Brown ● 4279d

There's a large house in Elers Road(backing Lammas Park) where the front garden is so overgrown and seemingly unkempt that it must be difficult for anyone to get into the house. Its been that way for years now.

Gerry Tan ● 4279d

Jaz contact your local councillor who can advise you on what can be done

Jack Ryan ● 4279d

You're correct Tony, but some tenants abd landlords just don't care. Again why rent a house, if you don't want to do the garden? Why not rent a flat? Also if you are a landlord, why don't you just have an easy keep garden, not plant bushes that grow the height of the house then rent the house out?

Jaz Brown ● 4279d

One man's "overgrown" tree is another man's delightful sight.(Bear in mind that nobody has a "right" to light - which is why the council is generally not interested in getting involved.)

Tony Colliver ● 4279d

The tenant is almost certainly being disengenuous.It is a standard clause in most tenancy documents that the TENANT must keep the garden neat and tidy.

Tony Colliver ● 4279d

Yes, the Council can act regarding hedges where it interferes with pedestrians passing by but the problems with rear gardens is huge and it is about time this situation was addressed by the authorities.I shan't hold my breath!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4280d

Report it to the council the council will then send them a letter asking them to cut back the part that is obstructing the footpath if they refuse to do it the council will then do it themselves and bill the landlord

Jack Ryan ● 4280d

Oops, apologies for posting twice, I thought this did not go through the first time!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4280d

Homeowners who neglect their gardens causing untold problems for their neighbours really should be forced by law to rectify the situation at their own expense.As you say Jaz, why on earth should you be expected to clear up the overgrown vegetation? Surely we have enough of our own work to do?The longer overgrown trees are left the bigger the problem for neighbours, and here I speak from experience. We have all been fighting a lengthy battle which started with an enormous overgrown Sycamore tree in an adjoining garden. It has caused untold damage to walls, fences and sheds. People should be allowed to have full use of their gardens, unhindered by overgrown trees and so on in an adjoining property, blocking out light and making the place look like a jungle.If they are collecting rent from tenants surely the very least they can do is ensure that the house and garden is kept neat and tidy?  As more and more properties are let out this situation can only get worse.It is interesting that you say Housing Association tenants are responsible for keeping the gardens tidy, well there is no evidence of this happening locally!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4280d

Homeowners who neglect their gardens causing untold problems for their neighbours really should be forced by law to rectify the situation at their own expense.As you say Jaz, why on earth should you be expected to clear up the overgrown vegetation? Surely we have enough of our own work to do?The longer overgrown trees are left the bigger the problem for neighbours, and here I speak from experience. We have all been fighting a lengthy battle which started with an enormous overgrown Sycamore tree in an adjoining garden. It has caused untold damage to walls, fences and sheds. People should be allowed to have full use of their gardens, unhindered by overgrown trees and so on in an adjoining property, blocking out light and making the place look like a jungle.If they are collecting rent from tenants surely the very least they can do is ensure that the house and garden is kept neat and tidy?  As more and more properties are let out this situation can only get worse.It is interesting that you say Housing Association tenants are responsible for keeping the gardens tidy, well there is no evidence of this happening locally!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4280d

Totally agree with you Jean. A law would be really good, something that they should bring in now that there are so many buy to let homes. I know that people living in housing association homes and council homes have to keep their gardens in good order, it is part of the tenancy agreement.

Jaz Brown ● 4280d

I cut the overgrowth that comes into my garden, however the tree is far to tall now for me to cut and it covers nearly half the length of my garden. Also why should I pay for someone else's garden waste. My shed roof is ruined by their  ivy, I keep cutting in but it goes so fast.  The front garden is a different matter, hopefully the council will insist that they do something, as I said within the next week there will be no space to pass, and I know that there have been many complaints. It is really annoying, and I have to say although my neighbours are really nice, it is really their responsiblity. I do not understand why someone would want to rent a house, when they don't want to look after the garden, why not just rent a flat.

Jaz Brown ● 4280d

I don't think there is anything that you can do other than to offer to cut it back yourself and give them the clippings to dispose of. They will probably agree to this, and it will make you feel better in taking control of the situation.This advice comes from my experience. You will be appreciated by your neighbours, done of whom you had never seen before. Good luck with it and let us know how you get on!

Ben Owen ● 4280d

Jaz I think this is becoming more widespread when absent landlords rarely visit the premises and the tenants can't be bothered!Mind you some homeowners are also guilty of allowing their vegetation to reach a stage where it causes problems with neighbouring gardens. The Council usually do not want to know, they say it is a civil matter.Taking someone to court is expensive so action is rarely taken. There should be a law preventing total neglect of a home or garden when it has an adverse effect on neighbours and can be a health and safety hazard.The Council would probably act when a hedge is overgrown which hampers pedestrians.

Jean F Fernandez ● 4280d