Chester Drawers
Junior Member
What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? New York
I know this is a topic that arises way too often, but my situation has a slight twist, and I am not sure if it matters.
Our neighbor, who has been a constant pain since we lived here, having had as many as 23 people living in their single family home, approached us in October and demanded (not asked) we trim branches from a tree on our property that has branches which overhang his roof. I read many posts here, and based on the repeated advice, I told my neighbor that he was free to trim any branches on his side of the property line, but I was not obligated to pay.
Today, I received a letter from an attorney for my neighbor who wrote that I am correct in stating I am not obligated to pay to trim branches that overhang my neighbors property, but these branches are now touching their roof, and causing damage (I don' see any damage), and since "my" tree is causing damage, I now need to pay to trim the trees.
This letter confuses me, since the attorney seems to be saying I am not responsible for cutting the tree on my neighbors side of the property, yet, since my neighbor neglected the trimming of these branches, and they are now hitting his house, it has beome my probelm and financial burden.
This doesn't make sense. Is their any ring of truth to what I am being told? Does the fact the branches have grown long enough to cause a problem change the law on these types of issues?
I just wanted to add that the tree is healthy, and upon closer inspection, there are two very small branches that may be brushing their house on windy days...something they could easily remedy with a pair of scissors!!!
Thanks in advance for any thoughts, and once again...sorry to bring up such a frequently visited topic.
I know this is a topic that arises way too often, but my situation has a slight twist, and I am not sure if it matters.
Our neighbor, who has been a constant pain since we lived here, having had as many as 23 people living in their single family home, approached us in October and demanded (not asked) we trim branches from a tree on our property that has branches which overhang his roof. I read many posts here, and based on the repeated advice, I told my neighbor that he was free to trim any branches on his side of the property line, but I was not obligated to pay.
Today, I received a letter from an attorney for my neighbor who wrote that I am correct in stating I am not obligated to pay to trim branches that overhang my neighbors property, but these branches are now touching their roof, and causing damage (I don' see any damage), and since "my" tree is causing damage, I now need to pay to trim the trees.
This letter confuses me, since the attorney seems to be saying I am not responsible for cutting the tree on my neighbors side of the property, yet, since my neighbor neglected the trimming of these branches, and they are now hitting his house, it has beome my probelm and financial burden.
This doesn't make sense. Is their any ring of truth to what I am being told? Does the fact the branches have grown long enough to cause a problem change the law on these types of issues?
I just wanted to add that the tree is healthy, and upon closer inspection, there are two very small branches that may be brushing their house on windy days...something they could easily remedy with a pair of scissors!!!
Thanks in advance for any thoughts, and once again...sorry to bring up such a frequently visited topic.
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