Our elderly neighbour’s garden is so overgrown 6ft-tall weeds peer over our privacy fence – now we’re battling landlord
THE garden of one elderly person is so overgrown the six-foot weeds are climbing over the fence into one couple’s back yard.
Mandy Evans, 59, and friend Fredrick Western, 71, have now slammed the council after the unruly plot in Newark, Notts, has been left to grow for years.
Mandy has now been left feeling “sick” at the “disgusting” overgrown mess from the neighbouring jungle.
Massive six-foot high brambles are poking over the couple’s fence into their manicured yard.
She said: “Something needs doing because, in the end, it is going to damage the fencing of ours.
“It is coming through the fencing, underneath and everything like that, it is peeping through and it is our space.
“We have got animals and brambles are very prickly.”
The neighbouring home belongs to a couple in their 80s who appear to have left their backyard go as weeds cover most of the section that also homes a tired looking shack.
Mandy contacted Newark and Sherwood District Council a year and a half ago for help considering the couple is elderly and they live in a council house.
She said a team came out at the time, but she has now accused them of doing a “cowboy job”.
A year and a half later, Mandy claims the authority has done nothing to tackle the problem garden.
Mandy was planning to change the old fence dividing the houses but needs her neighbour’s garden to be cleared before she could do any of the work.
She added: “This whole situation is making me feel sick, I definitely feel disappointed by the council.
“Two years later it’s nearly six foot high, the whole of the garden, it’s disgusting.
“We have no choice but to rely on the council to do it for the tenants.”
Lee Brazier portfolio holder at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “At the district council we take our responsibility to our tenants extremely seriously.
Is your neighbour’s garden growing into yours and giving you a headache? Contact The Sun via email at james.halpin@news.co.uk
“We are aware of the situation and, due to GDPR legislation, we are unable to comment on specific cases and individuals.
“As is often the case with these types of things there are some ongoing circumstances which our excellent team are supporting the tenants with.
“I am confident that our tenancy officer team are going above and beyond to support those involved.”
Newark and Sherwood District Council has been contacted by The Sun for comment.
By Marc Shoffman
OVERGROWN hedges are a common source of neighbourly disputes, but what are your rights if your neighbour’s hedge is taking over your garden?
Hedges do have benefits for homeowners as they provide security, as well as shade and a home for wildlife.
But an overgrown hedge from the next door garden can be a nuisance.
It may block the light and sunshine into your garden, which can be pretty annoying in the summer.
Plus, your garden could be messed up with its dropped leaves and twigs.
So what are your rights?
If you’re in a disagreement with your neighbours over their hedge, there are some steps you can take to try to get the situation sorted.
A useful first port of call is the government guidance on hedge heights, which lays out the rules on when a garden growth has gotten out of control.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) suggests that homeowners should use this guidance first before involving lawyers.
It said: “Where you feel that a hedge is too tall and affects the ‘reasonable’ enjoyment of your house or garden, the first step is to negotiate with your neighbours.
“Keep a copy of any letters to demonstrate you have tried.”
If this fails, you can contact your local council to enquire about using the high hedges legislation.
You can find your local council using the Gov.uk website.
There is no guarantee your council will intervene, and there is a fee for making a complaint, typically £400, to deter frivolous applications.
Your local authority will consider both sides’ cases and make a decision.
If the council accepts your complaint, it will issue a notice for the hedge to be cut to a requested height by a set deadline.
Councils have the power to fine homeowners up to £1,000 if they refuse to comply with orders to cut hedges back.
But the neighbour is also able to appeal the decision.
Even if the hedge is within the legal height, your neighbour is responsible for maintaining it so it doesn’t damage your property.
You are also able to trim back any overgrown parts of the hedge that are covering your own boundary, according to Citizens Advice.
But don’t be tempted to trim the whole hedge down – if you are cutting it back you should also check if it’s protected by a tree preservation order.
There is also the option of getting legal advice and taking your neighbour to court if the issue can’t be resolved, but this can be pricey.
