Neighbour's bush damaged roof, not sure how to proceed

itno

itno

itno

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One of our neighbours has a bush that has now overgrown the out buildings of our house and damaged the roof. What's happened is the branches are in contact with the bricks at the top of the roof, as well as overhang the roof. Some of the bricks on the roof have become dislodged, as has the flashing. The bricks are the ones in contact with the branches of the bush. I'm guessing the strong winds over the last few weeks resulted in the branches hitting the bricks and the bricks eventually gave way taking the flashing with them.

Not sure how to proceed. Neighbour's house is rented so do I go round and ask for landlord's details so I can contact them in order for them to cut the bush back and fix the roof? Don't know the neighbours so not sure how they will react. Do I contact my insurance company first and let them deal with it? Don't think the work will cost more than £200 to £300 (but I'm no expert) but don't want to pay for something that's not our fault.
 
I'd phone your insurance company, they may pay for it all to be fixed and chase the other person for the cost, they'll also know the insurance the other property has and have direct contact.

It's what you pay your premiums for.
 
itno said:
One of our neighbours has a bush that has now overgrown the out buildings of our house and damaged the roof. What's happened is the branches are in contact with the bricks at the top of the roof, as well as overhang the roof. Some of the bricks on the roof have become dislodged, as has the flashing. The bricks are the ones in contact with the branches of the bush. I'm guessing the strong winds over the last few weeks resulted in the branches hitting the bricks and the bricks eventually gave way taking the flashing with them.

Not sure how to proceed. Neighbour's house is rented so do I go round and ask for landlord's details so I can contact them in order for them to cut the bush back and fix the roof? Don't know the neighbours so not sure how they will react. Do I contact my insurance company first and let them deal with it? Don't think the work will cost more than £200 to £300 (but I'm no expert) but don't want to pay for something that's not our fault.
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in all honesty it's your fault for not cutting it back ..as soon as it go's over your line your allowed to cut it and place the cuttings in his garden ..
but if the out building is on the property line then yes there at fault .. ask for the landlords details contact him .. if you go insurance it may go up ..
 
flea.rider said:
in all honesty it's your fault for not cutting it back ..as soon as it go's over your line your allowed to cut it and place the cuttings in his garden ..
but if the out building is on the property line then yes there at fault .. ask for the landlords details contact him .. if you go insurance it may go up ..
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+1

some trees in my neighbours garden overhang into mine. so i just cut them all right back last year to make sure they won't need doing again for like 5 years.
 
What sort of bush is sturdy enough to dislodge structurally sound bricks? Now if the bricks were never maintained and the mortar was suspect that may make slightly more sense, but your insurer is likely to consider wear and tear as an easy out.
 
Did think I'd have to call the insurance company but hoped there was an alternative. Anyway, insurance man has been and chalked up the damage to storm damage due to the next door neighbour's tree not bush. Can't say I'm much of an expert on bushes, I thought it was a bush because it didn't look like a tree but on reflection the bush/tree does have some substantial branches. Insurance won't cover the flashing as on closer inspection the flashing was fixed very well so was waiting to fall off anyway.

Next task is to find a roofer or builder to repair the bricks and flashing.
 
Dumping them back in the neighbours garden is fly tipping. You are supposed to offer them the trimmings but they don't have to accept.
 
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