neighbours tree is starting to block the view of the valley from my house

A question about : neighbours tree is starting to block the view of the valley from my house

Hi.

I bought a house mainly because of the amazing view it has down the valley.

The person in the house below me has two big trees that have grown 4ft over the 12ft high hedge that borders our property in the last two years.

It wasn't a major problem when I moved in but now they are starting to block the lovley view.

I asked him nicely if he could trim them, offered to pay for it to be done but he just said he likes them and hes been here longer.

Really upset as the best thing about the house is the view and each year it will be taken away from me a bit. The house is over 80 years old and also worried this will loose me money on the house.

Do I have any right to this view? I assume the council will just laugh at me?

Any help would be good

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Best answers:

• Sneak oot one dark night and sort it out yourself...is one option. You've already tried the second option
  There must be a third option?
• It sounds like the tree is in their land. It is their tree. Sorry, but nothing to do with you. You don't have a "right of view". We'll, unless it is in their deeds - which is rather unlikely.
  You can either offer them some more cash. Costs plus a payment. Or break the law and cut it down/kill it and face the consequences. I would opt for the former.
• OK guess I will have to speak to him again.
  Its annoying he has the power to upset me so much
• You don't have a right to a view (as others point out), but under common law you do have the right to cut back roots or branches that encroach from a neighbour's land onto yours. Any parts then remain the property of the tree owner and should be offered back to them! Many local councils provide advice leaflets on this. Here is one from Cheshire East:
  https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/envir..._property.aspx
• But hang on. Be fair to him. It is his tree, his land, why should you be able to force him to cut it down or trim it. Maybe he bought the house and loved that tree and has enjoyed seeing it grow.
  Nothing wrong with you asking and if I was him I would probably say ok. But if he loves the tree, not unreasonable for him to say no.
• Well I'm not trying to force him to cut it down just to reach something that we can both agree on.
  He seams to just like having the power and seams the type to not compromise, eg my land I can do what I want and I've lived here longer than you.
• It's not his fault you are annoyed !
  They are his trees - therefore he can do what the hell he likes with them. We have a Cypress in our garden - neighbour hates it - we like it and it has a preservation order on it so it's tough titty
• I didn't say it was his fault.
  Its the neighbour below me, not either side, so is blocking the only view I have from my house.
• The only way to be sure of having a view is to buy the view. Which you obviously have not done. So, as muckybutt says. Tough titty.
• Have you tried looking at the view from your upstairs window instead?
• Lol good idea but its a bungalow
• Is any of the tree growing into your garden? If so that might be an opening to discuss a professional balanced trimming including reducing some of the height of the crown.
• As stated, they are basically his trees. Who has lived there longer is totally irrelevant, so I don't know why he is quoting that at you.
  Personally, if it were ordinary trees, then I guess you just have to put up with it (though I would be annoyed they were steadily blocking out my view too).
  If it's leylandii, on the other hand, ie the "thugs of the tree world" then maybe you have some room for manoeuvre under the High Hedges Act. Leylandii grow at a rate of 3' a year I understand, so I am wondering about your comment to the effect of they are growing 2' a year (with it not being possible to get up a ladder with a tape measure and check their exact growth rate).
  So, I would just have to "sigh and hate it" in your position if they're ordinary trees (as ordinary trees aren't that fast-growing, as I understand it, and do have a height limit they will reach).
  Leylandii, on the other hand, will continue growing and growing and growing..and they are the reason behind the High Hedges Act having been made.
• Could you not invite him into your property and show him how your view is being restricted. Maybe he would be more compassionate if he could see for himself. Worth a try eh.
• This is an amusing story of when a man went and cut his neighbour's tree for the view.
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-20466753
  https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/new...ord___125_000/
  He cut down a whole tree.... and got fined Ј125,000