My neighbours' overgrown house

I just paid out 3K to have my gutters replaced and separated from theirs.

I am also worried about a 40' tree in bad condition which hangs over my garden.....Have no idea if anything will be done about that.

Of course, if damage to your property is caused, that is a completely different kettle of fish. But if they want a bit of a jungle as their garden- PROVIDING it does not cause damage- that is surely their own business.

Their jungle and unmaintained gutters are affecting AlieOxon's house, so it is a safety issue. No man is an island, and neither is his garden unless the chaos stops at his boundaries.

A jungle is all very well, but when it damages my gutters because they are shared with theirs and their downpipe is blocked, and their ivy starts to damage my roof, enough is enough!

Can you really force someone who is a house ... and garden owner, to do this, unless there is a safety issue? Surely is their choice? I am sure the birds, butterflies and other wildlife much prefer their garden to a pristine lawn with annual borders?

I am a keen gardener, but one of my best friends chooses to have a jungle as a garden and I really do not feel it would be up to me to tell them what do do in theirs.

They skulk indoors and close the curtains.....
This is pretty normal anyway.

Has there been any response from the neighbours? I am just curious, when contractors descend on someone's house and garden like that what do the occupants do? Go out for the day, skulk indoors, carry on as normal?

Or not. Can't yet believe this is actually happening!

They now seem to have gone for the day. They got about 1/3 of the way down the back garden.
No doubt they will be back at 8.30 tomorrow.

Thanks anno.
Have been wondering about injunctions......

Having seen it, I can assure all other Gnetters that Alie is well rid of the disaster area that was the neighbours' garden. I hope they do something to inhibit re-growth. It would be a shame to have to go through it all again.

So far they have dug or sprayed nothing. Don't know.

I plan to say nothing until they have finished, as I can't change what they are contracted to do now....but I can if necessary make a big fuss after!

Alie that is fantastic. Will they also spray the roots or pull them up to stop them regrowing?

granjura - they aim to be before the sparrows nest. I hope. I was concerned about this, but I think it's ok

Big relief.
Roses - Neighbours are a couple, he is old and frail looking, she is large and younger, but the problem has been that a) they do absolutely nothing to the garden, ever, and b) they own the house.

So they will be doing all the work at the beginning of birds' nesting season (:

Why is your neighbour needing to have this done, is she old and frail?

Brilliant result AlieOxon [thumbs up emoticon]

That is very good news. I remember the original photo, it was horrendous. Anything, as you say, will be better.

Any sign of the neighbour? I think I would be hiding in the bathroom from shame.

The council - or their contracted employees - are here! Came at 8.30 this morning and are still working, having cut everything in the front of next door's garden, except the hedges, to the ground.

My gardener, here this morning, has been told that they are doing a 'total clearance'.....
Even if that means a field of mud, that can't be worse than it was!

I remember your post and it's good to hear that something at last is being done about this.

That is good , Alie , you must be pretty relieved to be finally getting rid of such an eyesore !

sounds like progress

Fingers and toes crossed here.