Hi Farmlama. Thanks for your response. When is a tree not a tree? When it's a hedge! Quirk in the Law methinks. However, Leylandii by Law cannot exceed 20ft. If this things were just 20ft there wouldn't be a problem at all but 80ft, dying and rotten? BIG problem!

Hi everyone. Here's the latest update on those trees. Firstly, they are not a high hedge - they are 80ft trees that are in a dangerous condition. Secondly, my councillor contacted the council on my behalf. Their response to him was they would get in touch with me. I am still waiting. I have had more words with my neighbour (we get on quite well) and he, in turn had a go at his brother. This morning I was awoken early on to the wonderful sound of a chainsaw. Oh good, I thought. They're doing something about the trees at last. No such luck unfortunately. All they've done is removed the 3 large branches from my garden. Well, I suppose that's a step in the right direction. At the time of writing this I haven't seen my neighbour yet so not sure what else they've got planned for the trees but I will update you later when I find out. Just an add on. Our Council is the Landlord.

Yes, it is the owner's responsibility and I've been on at him for years to at least get the trees pruned back before they became a problem - which they certainly are now. He doesn't live in the house and hasn't for about 3 or 4 years. He lets it out to his brother who has also told him to do something about the trees. The branches fell down 2 weeks ago and no attempt to remove them (or repair the fence that got damaged) has happened. I honestly don't think he realises just how dangerous the trees are. Something being done about the trees will be a bit late when our house gets destroyed and we get killed!!! We'll see what our Councillor comes back with and I'll post his response when I get it. In the meantime, let's hope we don't get any more high winds and that we don't get a dump of snow, the weight of snow could be enough to bring the things down!

The tallest tree is 80ft high and the trunk is red rotten. The trees are all dying. To the rear of the trees, they are on a steep slope. My son went round the back and photographed them yesterday. The roots are all exposed and the soil has eroded away. These trees are in grave danger of falling down. It's in the hands of our local Councillor at the moment so waiting to hear back from him. I would attach pics but they are slightly too big (6.25mb) then you could see the problem. I see your point but when something becomes a danger to life and property and is not a neighbour dispute, then surely there is something in Law for this? If it was just that the trees were blocking light/views then yes, that would definitely be a civil matter but as I've said, then they become a danger and a menace that is a different ball game, or at least I would think so.

Thanks good people. Since I wrote the post I have spoken with our local Councillor and sent him pics of the offending trees, including the erosion of the soil at their roots. He thinks, because they are dangerous and if the big one comes down it will hit Council property (i.e. our house) then the Council can either force the owner to remove the trees or the Council can cut the trees down and bill the owner. He's not 100% sure but is going to find out asap and get back to me. I really am worried that these trees are going to come down and I'd rather not be squashed by a falling tree or see any of my family get injured or killed because of the next door owner's apathy. I'll let you know what transpires.

This is probably not the place to put this but I'm sure the Mods will move it to a relevant section. I live in a council house. I'm flanked by two privately owned ex-council houses. One of them has the dreaded Leylandii trees which have grown completely out of control. The tallest is 80ft high and the rest, 5 of them approx 60ft high. I've been asking him for years to have them cut to a reasonable size or remove them. That's fallen on deaf ears. The issue is this. The trees have become dangerous. They have exposed roots at the back and the trees are rotten. Three large boughs have fallen off the 80ft tree and have landed in my garden, just missing my greenhouse after the last storm we had. The day they came down, it wasn't even windy. If the 80ft tree comes down, it will hit our house. One of the trees fell down 18 months ago but fortunately landed in their own garden and didn't do any damage. It did take half the branches of the 80ft tree with it so if that tree comes down, it will hit our property. I have reported it to the Council but they seem to think I'm complaining about the trees cutting out light and blocking my view - despite my telling them emphatically that the trees are dangerous. They sent me Healthy Neighbourhood information that states I have to pay £375 to make a complaint! Surely there must be something in Law that relates to dangerous trees and can force the owner to have them cut down or the Council do it then bill the owner. Any advice on this would be appreciated. Lady Python

No I don't own my own home (I wish) and I have nothing of value. I've never been one for expensive stuff and don't believe in replacing something unless it breaks down and is beyond repair. We were once going to buy our house under the Right to Buy Scheme but before we had the chance to do much, late hubby took his first heart attack (one the docs call a "Widow Maker") so we didn't do it. Just as well because less than 7 years later, he was gone. Maybe in the future, once my son gets the all clear from the hospital to be able to work again (he's going into nursing) then it might be a consideration but he would have to be the mortgagee rather than me - unlikely I'd get a mortgage even due to my age, never mind a CCJ. My son doesn't owe anyone a penny. He's one of those people who if he wants something, he saves for it even though it takes him ages. He says he never wants to get into debt. He's been offered credit cards from the building society he's been with since he was a child and he's always turned them down. He's got his head screwed on the right way. Thanks for the heads up though and sorry about getting that form number wrong.

Didn't need to submit an N245. So long as I'm unemployed this is suspended and as I've said, at my age the chances of me getting work are very, very low. I looked at the N245 form and it was identical to the N56 form. I also took advice from the National Debt Helpline. They were very nice and helpful so if anyone's afraid of calling them, they needn't be. They also told me that if I did want to submit the N245 I could also submit the form N160 which gives help with fees. I decided just to submit the N56 as requested, ticking the box unemployed as you suggested. The Court accepted that. T hey have left it open that should I find work then Lowells would be free to reapply to the Court which is what I expected. However, it is unlikely that scenario will arise so as far as I'm concerned, the matter is over. If the impossible happens and I do get a job, then I will deal with that as and when it arises. Had I not been so careless in the first place by forgetting the Hearing date and gone to Court to fight my corner, then this would have been killed stone dead a couple of years ago. However, what is done is done but as the old saying goes, there is more than one way to skin a rabbit. Again, thank you for all your help. You've been marvellous

No. Court suspended it due to my being unemployed. The likelihood of me finding a job at 62, almost 63 now is remote so as far as I'm concerned, the matter is dead.

Hi Andyorch. Todays good news is - the matter is now dead Many, many thanks for your help and advice.

Done. Now we wait.

They've attached a form N56 which is similar to the one you've put a link to. The N245 form. Would that have to be sent at the same time as the N56 or at a later date please? I'm not very good at this sort of thing

Yes, it was my own fault and I've put my hand up to that. I'll just have to return the N55 and wait for the response. I'll post when I get the result of that. In the meantime, thank you for your responses.

Thanks Andyorch. Just wondered if I could but that answers that question. N55 will have to be put back to the Court and will do that tomorrow and post via Recorded Delivery, plus keep a copy of everything for myself. Did have one piece of correspondence from Provident a few months ago - would I like a loan? Telling me I can borrow up to £X at only 575% APR! You couldn't make it up. What a bunch of chancers. As for this loan, I had another loan and was having difficulty paying it but was persuaded to take out another loan to pay off the balance of the original loan (irresponsible lending?) Naively, I thought I'd be able to get a job fairly quickly - wrong. I did eventually about 3 years after my husband died but lost that when the company I worked for had financial difficulties. My son kept our heads above water until his transplanted kidney failed. He had another transplant last November and after a dodgy start, it's settled in now and he should, hopefully within the next few months be cleared to start work again. He's hoping to go into nursing. Is there anything else you can advise I do please? I know it was my own fault I've ended up in this position but it goes against the grain to let Provident and Lowells get off with it. Lowells for chasing what I'm sure was an SB debt and Provident's agent for not turning up again or Provident giving us a replacement agent. If not, I'll just have to bite the bullet as they say.

No, I'm afraid I didn't. Just had too much going on at the time. Bit more level headed now.