Neighbour’s tree is making our house dark – can I force them to prune it? DEAN DUNHAM replies

My neighbour has a conifer tree rising by the boundary wall which is the peak of our two-storey home.

Our rooms have turn into darkish on that facet of the home as a result of the tree overshadows them, however the neighbour isn’t keen to chop it again. What can we do?

Elizabeth W., by e mail

Dean Dunham replies: In case you have not already achieved so, make your request to your neighbour in writing as you have to proof that you’ve got tried to resolve the difficulty along with your neighbour earlier than taking the following step.

In case your neighbour continues to be unwilling to assist, you’ll be able to file a criticism along with your native council, below what is named the excessive hedge laws, which was launched in 2005 below a part of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

To be eligible the tree should: encompass two or extra largely evergreen or semi-evergreen bushes or shrubs; be greater than two metres tall; have an effect on your enjoyment of your private home or backyard as a result of it’s too tall.

Sadly, one giant tree received’t normally qualify. Nonetheless, if you’ll be able to file a criticism, be sure to present proof that you’ve got already tried to resolve the matter straight along with your neighbour. 

It’s possible you’ll be charged a payment for the criticism to be investigated, though it can range between native authorities.

If there are any branches hanging over your facet of the fence or boundary you might be entitled to prune or take away them. Nonetheless, by regulation, it is best to provide any clippings again to your neighbour.

And earlier than you embark on a dispute along with your neighbour, keep in mind that once you promote a home you have got a authorized obligation to speak in confidence to the customer, particulars of any ‘neighbour disputes’.

Naturally this might put a purchaser off and will find yourself devaluing your property.

Insurance coverage agency bought my ‘write-off’ automobile 

I used to be concerned in a automobile accident and my insurance coverage firm determined to put in writing my automobile off saying it was not economical to restore. 

The harm was not that nice so I requested to purchase it again, nevertheless it refused ­saying it wasn’t attainable.

 I’ve now found that the automobile has been bought on, so I’ve no automobile and I imagine the quantity I’ve been paid for it’s far under its worth. What can I do?

Kevin M., by e mail

While you make a declare following a automobile accident and the harm is extra than simply beauty, the insurance coverage supplier will doubtless assign an insurance coverage class. 

In case your automobile has been deemed to be ­irreparable and due to this fact unsafe, it won’t legally be allowed again on the highway. In these circumstances it is going to be assigned certainly one of two insurance coverage designations, Cat A or Cat B.

A automobile that has not been written off however might probably return to the highway after restore can be assigned certainly one of two additional classes: Cat S or Cat N.

You due to this fact have to ask your insurance coverage supplier to substantiate in writing what class it deemed your automobile to be and why it refused to promote the car again to you, plus how a lot it bought the automobile for.

If the response is that your automobile was designated a Cat A or B, the supplier may have damaged the regulation, as it’s unlawful to promote a Cat A or B car for something however salvage.

If it was designated Cat S or N, your subsequent query is why had been you misled or lied to and what compensation will it now provide you with?

In relation to the worth you acquired in your automobile, the duty on the insurer is to pay you what the market worth was for the automobile instantly previous to the accident.

In case you have proof that you just had been paid lower than this, current it to the supplier.

Then, if the insurance coverage supplier refuses to assist, make a criticism to the Monetary Ombudsman Service. Go to financial-

ombudsman.org.uk.

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