And this may be because, while a hedge can be pleasing and add character to a property, it may become ugly for a neighbor across the property line or unkempt when roots start to spread; or if the hedge becomes too high or overhanging into a neighbor’s yard, it can cause a lot of issues.
If you have disagreements with your neighbor about a problem tree or hedge, you should try to resolve it informally and amicably.
If you live in a rental home, your landlord should be the first go-to for solving the problem and dealing with the disagreement on your behalf.
Are You Having Disputes With a Neighbor Over Hedges?
Can or will your insurance company pay out if a dispute with your neighbor leads to a claim?
Don’t Cut Anything On Your Neighbor’s Property Line Without Their Consent
Find that your neighbors’ plants or boundary fence are overreaching and disturbing your property. You may have to resist the temptation to prune or cut the trees or overhanging branches, but in California law, such circumstances can be a case against you for taking matters into your own hands.
What can you legally do if your neighbor’s hedge is too high – what are your rights? And what rights does your neighbor have? If a neighbor’s tree or hedge is growing over into your yard, you cannot force them to cut it back, but you have the right to remove overgrowing branches back over your own fence or the common boundary with the existing fence.
You can hold your neighbor liable when a tree they plant falls from their property over your shared property line or the dividing fence, provided that you have evidence to prove that they are aware that the tree was causing you trouble but refused the remedy the problem.
If My Tree Falls on My Neighbor’s House or Their Chain Link Fence – Am I Responsible For Costs?
Fallen trees are one of the top neighbor disputes. So make sure to communicate well with your neighbor if you are in this situation when your tree damages your neighbor’s property or neighbor’s chain link fencing. For instance, if there was a horrible wind storm that knocked your tree over into the neighbor’s roof, over the neighbor’s fence, or property lines, what would happen?
Technically that is something insurers consider an act of God. And no one would hold you responsible even though it is your tree because, under the law, the property owner in the house in question should have homeowners insurance coverage. Allegedly, that will take care of it, even if it’s a big deal, right?
No one is to blame in that situation, but in some cases, minor details can change who has to pay. For example, if the neighbor’s tree were to fall on the house while the neighbor who owns the tree was trimming branches. That would likely become the owner of the tree’s fault (failure to anticipate a problem). Also, if the tree owner showed negligence when maintaining the tree properly, they could be at fault.
A tree falling and damaging someone’s property can ruin a good relationship between neighbors. If all conditions are ideal, and it was an act of God, then it was not the owners’ fault, and the insurance from the damaged house should cover costs. To keep a good relationship with your neighbor, it may be a good idea to offer to pay half or a little money to help cover the costs of repair or the costs of the deductible if it was your tree. But, legally, the fault may lie elsewhere.
Can Your Insurance Company Insure You in Case of Property Damage?
Homeowners insurance usually covers a wide variety of probable losses to your house and not a business you have on your property in a separate facility. Call Ehline Law Firm for a free consultation and legal help at (213) 596-9642. We are ready to provide free legal advice to help you settle your dispute with your neighbor.
Michael Ehline
Michael Ehline is an inactive U.S. Marine and world famous legal historian. Michael helped draft the Cruise Ship Safety Act and has won some of the largest motorcycle accident settlements in U.S. History. Together with his legal team, Michael and the Ehline Law Firm collect damages on behalf of clients. We pride ourselves in being available to answer your most pressing and difficult questions 24/7. We are proud sponsors of the Paul Ehline Memorial Motorcycle Ride, and a a Service Disabled Veteran Operated Business. (SDVOB.) We are ready to fight.
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