RE Q&A: Who Removes a Tree That Straddles a Property Line?

A tree is right on the house line between two homes. Operator A’s insurance coverage company claims it need to appear down does owner B have any obligation to aid shell out for that?

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Concern: Could you be sure to make clear the obligations of neighbors who have a tree that straddles the house line? Our insurance coverage company is demanding that the tree appear down due to legal responsibility to the residence. Should our neighbor have to shell out some portion of the invoice to get rid of the tree? – Linc

Solution: When a tree straddles the house line, it makes a handful of thorny troubles to take care of. To do so, we will have to have to very first glimpse at tree law in other situations.

When a tree is on your neighbor’s house, but its limbs or roots increase on to your house, you both have the right to trim them back to the house line so extended as you do not hurt the total health of the tree.

You also have the responsibility to do this prior to it hurts your house. If your neighbor’s tree is balanced and a department breaks off in a storm, you simply cannot maintain your neighbor liable, even if it falls on your roof. The law both enables and demands you to guard your house in this situation by trimming the branches back.

Even so, if the tree is unhealthy or useless when it falls, your neighbor will be liable for the hurt it causes. This is an incentive for him to maintain his house in a way that does not damage others.

Both equally get-togethers own a tree that straddles the house line. Trimming the branches and cleansing up the fallen leaves is up to each individual owner on their facet of the line.

Removing the tree need to be agreed upon by both house owners. If 1 owner gets rid of the tree with out the other’s permission, they might be liable for not only the price of the tree, but for the ease and comfort and enjoyment that the tree furnished. In the landmark case on this issue, the adjoining owner was compensated for the missing shade the tree furnished, alongside with the price of the removed tree.

In your situation, do not get rid of the tree with out your neighbor’s prepared consent. To get that consent, it will probably indicate that you will have to have to shell out for the elimination you, but that is much better than having sued.

About the writer: Gary M. Singer is a Florida lawyer and board-licensed as an pro in real estate law by the Florida Bar. He procedures real estate, small business litigation and agreement law from his workplace in Sunrise, Fla. He is the chairman of the True Estate Portion of the Broward County Bar Association and is a co-host of the weekly radio present Lawful Information and Evaluation. He regularly consults on normal real estate matters and traits in Florida with a variety of companies across the country.

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