Tree Falls Over Property Line: Who Pays and Cleans up?

Tree Falls Over Property Line: Who Pays and Cleans up?

Good Morning. Dan Wells writing, I hope you're in good spirits this Friday!

Today, I'm writing about a "spring" clean-up specifically when it comes to a shared yard with neighbors.

We unfortunately have a foreclosed property next door to us and a dead tree leaning in my homes direction.

So here's the question I'm exploring this morning. If a neighbors tree falls over your property line, Who Pays? Who Picks Up the Pieces? What I found is actually pretty interesting and so I thought I'd pass it along to you.

The first piece of advice I'm getting (if that happens) is to file an insurance claim for repairs and cleanup. No house damage? Check if chopping and hauling debris is covered.

If a neighbors tree damages your property, your insurance company should pay to repair the damage, then decide whether to seek reimbursement from your neighbor (or the bank in my case)

Home owners policies cover tree damage caused by perils like wind and winter storms. Most policies cover hauling away tree debris if the mess is associated with house damage; some will cover cleanup even if no structures were harmed.

When a tree falls

Your neighbor is responsible when a tree falls over your shared property line only if you can prove he was aware that his tree was a hazard and refused to remedy the problem. Regardless, your insurance company restores your property first, and later decides whether or not to pursue reimbursement from the neighbor or his insurer if the neighbor was negligent in maintaining the tree.

Before a tree falls

Write a letter to your neighbor before his dead, diseased or listing tree falls through your roof or over your property line.

The letter should include:
Description of the problem
Photographs
Request for action
Attorney letterhead-not necessary but indicates you mean business.

Trim their trees

If the limbs of a tree hang over your property line, you may trim the branches up to the property line, but not cut down the entire tree.

If a tree dies after your little pruning, the neighbor can pursue a claim against you in civil or small claims court. Depending on the laws of your state, your neighbor may have to prove the damage was deliberate or caused by negligence, but may also be able to recover up to three times the value of the tree.

Before you cut, tell your neighbors what you intend to do to protect your property.

If your tree falls

It's always a good idea to take care of your big and beautiful trees, and keep receipts for trimmings and other care.

But if your tree falls over a neighbors property line, do nothing until their insurance company contacts you. You may not be liable unless you knew or should have known the tree was in a dangerous condition. If you pruned a tree or shored up trunks to prevent problems, gather your receipts to prove your diligence.

Just thought this may help someone, power is knowledge right? I really hope I don't have to deal with any of it.

Have a great weekend. Dan