STAYING on top of your own weeds can be a chore, let alone having to control neighbouring ones poking through your fence.
One disgruntled homeowner is seeking advice for just that – we explain your property rights.
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Weeds are a common garden pest, and they can crop up persistently when weather is warmer.
And if keeping your own weeds at bay isn’t hard enough, one property owner is tackling tackle their neighbour’s ones too.
In a post to Quora, they said: “What’s the proper etiquette if your neighbour’s weeds are growing into your garden along the fence?”
The post received several responses from fellow Quora users trying to help resolve the issue.
One user replied: “I would kill anything that crossed the property line onto my side.
And if the herbicides spread to a weed on the other side and killed it, oh well – who’s going to mind if I accidentally killed their weeds by accident?”
While killing the weeds may seem like the most obvious route, you should take precaution.
If you damage any part of your neighbour’s property in the process, such as the fence, you may be required to fork out for it.
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According to experts at HomeOwners Alliance, there is no legal requirement for a property owner to maintain their fence, and this includes de-weeding it – unless specified to do so in the property deeds.
You can purchase the deeds to any property from the Land Registry on the government’s website for a small £3 fee.
So it may be worth checking if your neighbour’s title deeds require them to prune their plants.
How should I get rid of the neighbouring weeds?
Before all else, you should try speaking to your neighbour in a polite and approachable manner.
Perhaps they were unaware of the issue, so it’s best to raise it before contacting any authorities.
They may resolve the problem without hesitation.
If there’s a disagreement, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) offers a Neighbour Disputes Service (NDS) for a fee.
Though, both parties have to agree to sign up. You can fill out an application form online.
This route will undoubtedly be cheaper than any legal avenue you may be considering, as legal fees and court costs can stack up fast.
If your neighbour refuses to pay for the NDS, you should contact your local council’s environmental health team.
It deals with a wide range of issues including contaminated land, pest control, fly tipping and dangerous dogs.
Meanwhile, we reveal whether you have to repair or replace your garden fence if it’s damaged.
One homeowner came back from their holiday to find their neighbour erected a huge fence.
Plus, another neighbour won’t pay his half for a new garden fence – here’s what your rights are if you face the same issue.
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