Can my Neighbour cut the top of my hedge?

Rights and Responsibilities. If you're fortunate enough to find that the hedges reside solely on your property, you are within your rights to cut, trim or remove the hedges as you see fit.

Who is responsible for cutting top of hedge?

The responsibility for boundary hedge cutting is shared. Both you and your neighbour should be trimming each other's respective side of the hedge. You are free to cut back roots or branches that are within your property's boundaries. However, you're only allowed to trim the growth on your property.

Can I cut the top off a hedge?

In the second year (February to March) cut back growth by half. Throughout the second summer, trim side branches to maintain sides that taper towards the top. In the second autumn, cut the topmost branch ('leading shoot') to the desired hedge height.

Can my Neighbour cut my hedge UK?

If you own the tree or hedge

Your neighbour can cut any branches that are overhanging into their garden as long as they only remove the bits on their side of the boundary. If they want you to cut your tree or hedge just because they don't like the way it looks, it's up to you whether you do the work.

Can you top a hedge?

Hedges should be narrower at the top, wider at the bottom

Left alone, most hedges will start to widen at the top, where they receive the most sunlight. This results in a V shape that shades out lower branches so they produce less and less foliage.

The Neighbours Always Cut This Hedge Too Low - We Live in Hope it Will Grow

Is there a law about cutting hedges?

Regardless of ownership, no-one can trim or cut a hedge if the action damages active birds' nests, and hence violates the Wildlife and Countryside Act. If tall hedges or trees put your garden in the shade, you can cut off branches which overhang your boundary.

What is the legal height of a hedge between Neighbours UK?

Require homeowners to get permission to grow a hedge above 2m (6½ft) When a hedge grows over 2m (6½ft), the local authority does not automatically take action, unless a justifiable complaint is made.

What is the maximum legal height for a hedge?

Making a complaint

Please note that there is not a blanket rule that all hedges must be no more than two metres in height. The complaint form explains why you consider the hedge is adversely affecting the reasonable enjoyment of your residential property.

Can you cut a Neighbours hedge without permission?

Can someone trim their neighbour's hedge without permission which is encroaching their garden? The simple answer to this question is yes, there is a right to lop or cut back hedges or trees that belong to a neighbour and overhang your land. The right to lop is an ancient right to abate a nuisance or a trespass.

How much can you cut off a hedge?

Tidying deciduous and evergreen hedges

You can cut both the height and width of your overgrown hedge back by up to 50% in one single cut, however we recommend staggering this process over at least two years, preferably more.

How much can you cut off the top of a cedar hedge?

Trim 1/3 or a maximum of half the new foliage. Cedars are not able to produce new growth on old wood. Keep part of the new growth so that the cedar continues to grow and fill out.

Is it illegal to cut hedges when birds are nesting?

Some birds continue breeding into August. All wild birds, their young, their eggs and active nests are protected under law. It is an offence to damage a nest intentionally while it is in use or being built – hedge cutting is highly likely to damage nests or cause them to be deserted.

Can my Neighbour reduce the height of my hedge?

If you have hedge plants that are becoming a problem for your neighbours, they are allowed to cut back the growth that is inside their property. Your neighbours are permitted to ask you to trim troublesome hedge plants and you are encouraged to work with them for the best outcome.

Is it criminal damage to cutting Neighbours hedge?

Yes, it is criminal damage.

Who owns hedge between houses?

If a hedge is acting as the boundary, it is a joint responsibility to keep the hedge maintained from either side. However, hedges aren't always the property of the two residents– at least not in a legal sense.

What is the law on boundary hedges?

You are allowed to trim or maintain your side of the hedge to the boundary in this instance as long as that doesn't kill the hedge, but it is considered to be shared property, so you'll need to come to an agreement with your neighbour in order to remove it legally.

Is there a legal height for Neighbours trees?

In general, there is no specific limit to the height that a tree is allowed to grow, but if the trees form a vegetative screen that is limiting a neighbours usage/enjoyment then it could be a High Hedge issue which Planning Enforcement would potentially get involved with.

Can you put a fence up against a hedge?

Yes the hedge will continue to grow and eventually push your fence over. Depending on size of roots an auger will break your arm. Best to dig holes and cut roots as you find them. Simbo, WillyEckerslike and Truckcab79 like this.

Can Neighbour lean things on my fence?

It's simple: you can only do this if your neighbour says you can. If you lean something against or hang something on your neighbour's fence without permission and the extra burden on the panels causes damage to the fencing (which is very likely to happen sooner or later), you will have to pay for the repairs.

What are my rights if a Neighbours tree overhangs my garden?

If the branches of a neighbour's tree start to grow over to your side, you can cut them back to the boundary point between you and your neighbour's property, as long as the tree is not under a tree preservation order.

Can you complain to the council about a Neighbour's garden?

Weeds, Rubbish and Pests

If weeds or brambles and the like in a neighbour's garden are causing problems on your side of the property boundary, it can amount to a nuisance which you can report to the Environmental Health Department of your local council who can pursue legal action.

How do you reduce the height of a privet hedge?

Generally, you want to cut them back 6 inches for every 12 inches of growth. You may not do much privet hedge pruning in the first year depending on factors like the time of year the hedge was planted. Hedges are often focused on developing roots in the first year so you may not see much above-ground growth.

Can a chainsaw be used to trim hedges?

You can use a chainsaw to trim a hedge and it will make quickly cut through shrubs and hedge plants. However a chainsaw is not as precise as using hedge trimmers or shears and should be saved for tough trimming jobs or working with trees.

What time of year do you cut hedges?

Late winter or very early spring is best, to avoid trimming the hedge during its peak growing season. Always try to cut a hedge back after the flowering season. Getting the timing right will ensure that when you do cut the hedge, the shape will remain visible for longer.