Owner responsible for upkeep of land in front of house.
Discussion
I'm looking at a small one bedroom house down on the Kent coast that comes with a garage. It's all I can afford 
It looks lovely and if I get rid of nearly everything I own, I could fit in there.
It's in a nice area 10 minutes walk from the town and it's been on the market since November with a couple of price reductions. Now up for less than it cost a few years ago.
Just talked to the agent and it seems that everyone that views it, loves it but there's an area to the front outside the actual 'boundary' of the house extending to the pavement with a big 35ft pine tree.
Seems that whoever owns the house has to be responsible for this land even though it looks public.
Thus you'll be landed with tree surgeon costs for maintenance and cutting the grass twice a week as it's a nice area and can't look tatty.
So all the inconvenience of a garden without me being able to sit there with a glass of beer whilst drying my smalls on a line.
Is this normal?
Obviously why the place hasn't sold.
ETA
Looking at that pic I'd say that the tree is a lot taller than 35ft.
It looks lovely and if I get rid of nearly everything I own, I could fit in there.
It's in a nice area 10 minutes walk from the town and it's been on the market since November with a couple of price reductions. Now up for less than it cost a few years ago.
Just talked to the agent and it seems that everyone that views it, loves it but there's an area to the front outside the actual 'boundary' of the house extending to the pavement with a big 35ft pine tree.
Seems that whoever owns the house has to be responsible for this land even though it looks public.
Thus you'll be landed with tree surgeon costs for maintenance and cutting the grass twice a week as it's a nice area and can't look tatty.
So all the inconvenience of a garden without me being able to sit there with a glass of beer whilst drying my smalls on a line.
Is this normal?
Obviously why the place hasn't sold.
ETA
Looking at that pic I'd say that the tree is a lot taller than 35ft.
Edited by croyde on Friday 8th May 16:17
[quote=Plus4Four#]Who actually owns that land? The house up for sale?
Covenants re maintenance?
How are adjacent properties affected?
Ask the agent for evidence rather than just comments.
[/quote]
Exactly this.
Things like this, I always find intriguing so looking forward to knowing the outcome.
No TPO?!?! Chop it down would be my idea, but guessing there isn't a reason others haven't followed that idea.
Covenants re maintenance?
How are adjacent properties affected?
Ask the agent for evidence rather than just comments.
[/quote]
Exactly this.
Things like this, I always find intriguing so looking forward to knowing the outcome.
No TPO?!?! Chop it down would be my idea, but guessing there isn't a reason others haven't followed that idea.
croyde said:
It has got a TPO. So planning needed even for just maintenance. I just checked with the local council.
The next question is 'Where does it say you're responsible for it'?Even if you are, which seems unlikely because you wouldn't own it, it's just a tree. It's also a very nice tree.
Sounds like a load of agro, especially if it has a TPO.
If its not easily sorted I think id walk away, unless you REALLY want the property.
Its a very strange set up tho.
Is the house youre looking at one of those in the picture? Just trying to gauge where it is in comparison to the house.
Maybe ask the current owner if you can see the deeds showing the property boundaries. Or knock on potential neighbours for their views?
If its not easily sorted I think id walk away, unless you REALLY want the property.
Its a very strange set up tho.
Is the house youre looking at one of those in the picture? Just trying to gauge where it is in comparison to the house.
Maybe ask the current owner if you can see the deeds showing the property boundaries. Or knock on potential neighbours for their views?
AW10 said:
Strikes me as worth spending a few quid to get the land registry docs to confirm the facts.
I would definitely be doing this op. The EA description seems fairly vague, although it could mean just the part of the bank that slopes up from the house towards the shared driveway and garage area. The location looks good - an easy walk to the store to taste the different products.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff