UK Landlord Forum / Life

Quick run down - sorry for length of post! - tenant with social housing for 26 years in current property since 1993. Neighbour at one side private (as are all but 3 of the properties on the crescent). When I moved in I checked the fence responsibilities and common rule was each home maintained the fence etc at the right hand side as you look out of the house.  This was done until a new home owner rented out the property and what was a picket fence with bushes is now rotten, broken fencing and overgrown bushes including ivy which is now spreading into my lawn.  A couple of years ago I spoke to the surveyor of the Housing assoc. and he confirmed it would be maintained by them due to the fact the new home owner was disputing it was his responsibility/fence. In June I spoke to my housing officer as I wanted to re-turf my lawn, a surveyor came out to visit and said he would write to the home owner as if the fence was replaced and the bushes not dealt with, the same thing would happen. I chased and chased for an outcome and eventually the same surveyor came out last week, said I'm not going to replace the fence.  I then reminded him of our previous visit and he admitted to not having written to the home owner and would pass it to the Housing Officer who has now visited and said it is clear the fence/bushes are next doors and they wont get involved.Ironically when there was an issue with a shed which was next to the homeowners garage wall that he wanted me to fit guttering to as the neighbour had complained it was getting damp, my partner sorted it within 3 days.  My question is who is responsible for sorting this?  Is it my landlord or me? I have to maintain a tidy garden as part of my tenancy but find it difficult when I cant reach the bushes (they are now well over 6ft high). should I negotiate with the home owner? Any advice is appreciated.

Personally I think, if it is bothering you that much ( and I am sure it is if you like your garden) then really you are going to bite the bullet and sort it yourself, after discussing it face to face with the owner of the other property.

These sorts of things take AGES to sort out, your LL is not going to do the work for you, and the other owner is obviously in no rush.

Thanks - I am going to chat to him this weekend - I am even prepared to help pay for the cost of removing the bushes and replacing it with panel fencng to benefit us both.  I am just annoyed at the landlord's backdown though I have noticed a mark decrease in service over the years since it went from a council to a large housing group 

Good man, you know it makes sense!

Good luck.