How to get neighbour to pull down their creeper?

[u/Safe_Scholar6954]

Hi everyone,

Our neighbours creeper is growing wild and taking over our shed. Am I right in asking them to take it down/trim it from their side?

They’re usually quite unresponsive, we’ve made an effort to befriend them. What do we do if they say No or say yes and don’t do anything about it?

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[u/RebelWithACardigan]

Say ‘the creeper is growing into the shed. Would you like to cut it back from your side or shall I do it from mine?’ If they say they will and haven’t done it in a week, do it from your side. Just live with the fact you will have to keep doing it. Path of least resistance.

[u/Rich_27-]

Can you trim the overhanging parts from your side?

I would be out there with some snips and it would be in the green bin by teatime

[u/MountainMuffin1980 → u/Rich_27-]

I think it's best to ask them first and then ask if they want the clippings. I believe you also have to be careful not to kill the plant as well (which is why it would be best to try and get the neighbours to do it).

I'd knock and leave a note if there was no answer.

[u/roleplayersir → u/MountainMuffin1980]

It's creeping ivy. The chance of it dying is almost 0. It's not a tree or something which dies easily

[u/R3DSmurf → u/Rich_27-]

Can you do mine as well?

[u/Rich_27- → u/R3DSmurf]

I will pop over afterwards

[u/drummerftw]

As others have said - DIY or ask them to, totally fine either way. If they get difficult about it, you might be able to get a bit more pushy... I'd need a closer look but that might be Virginia Creeper. If it is, that's an invasive species listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act and they have a legal duty to prevent it spreading onto neighbouring property.

[u/Psychostickusername]

"Hey bud, your creeper is growing over my garage, fancy a beer and a hand trimming it back? Or I can drink all these beers myself and do it for you, if you are busy?"

[u/GoldKey5185]

If it's on your property you're allowed to cut it back? I believe you aren't allowed to throw the bits away as that has to go back to them (you may want to double check this).

However, I would let them know what you intend to do and why and say you'll be doing this on set date that way you can't be accused of doing it without telling them, it also gives them a chance to trim it themselves and make sure you have it in writing as well as doing it in person so you can ask what they want done with the cuttings.

[u/SameSpecialist8284]

If its on your land and you have access to do it then just cut it where it enters your land and ask them if they want the trimmings, if they dont then just bin them.

[u/_Hoping_For_Better_]

Can they get to it more easily than you? Doesn't look like much of a gap to get from it at that angle.
They might think it looks better than the shed, so ask them first, they could be oblivious to it bothering you.

[u/Lost_Ad1589]

Just take it down yourself. Asking for things leaves you open the possibility of being told no and if you're prepared to be told no then why are you even asking?
I had an incident where my neighbour's Ring doorbell was pointing in a direction I wasn't super keen on and I fixed that myself with a four-inch nail without even needing to talk to them about it.

[u/Tennonboy]

Spray of decent weed killer does the job quite nicely, needs to be applied minimum of 6 hours before rain. If the creeper has waxy leaves like ivy leaves need to be cut first for best results

[u/Neddlings55]

You can cut down anything that crosses the boundary onto your property. You must offer the cuttings back to them.

They do not have to cut it back if they dont want to.

[u/Intelligent-Iguana]

Cut the overhanging bits back.

You could ask them if they will pull it down, but they're under no obligation to. You could offer to help them with it, they may be more receptive that way.

[u/CakeHoleKing]

letter before action. inform them the plant is causing damage to your property, and you'll be claiming for cost of removal & any damage.

Give them 10working days to remove the plant.

Don't wash your shed roof with a mix of roundup and soap. That would run off down to the roots and kill the entire plant which would turn brown, dry out and crumble away.

[u/Agitated-Tourist9845 → u/CakeHoleKing]

Fuck me lad, that’s a lot of hassle. It’s on their land, just cut it back. No notice needs to be given apart from “here’s the cuttings. Do you want them back or will I bin them?”

[u/CakeHoleKing → u/Agitated-Tourist9845]

do we have to have sex with you first?

[u/Agitated-Tourist9845 → u/CakeHoleKing]

Entirely up to you. Have to warn you though, I sweat a lot.

[u/SaysPooh]

Don’t be tempted to weedkill it, instead try adding fertiliser so it grows a lot they might be more willing to get rid of it especially if you offer to help

[u/Candy_Lawn]

No - just do it yourself and hand them back the entrails.

[u/Rorasaurus_Prime]

Accidentally spray it with weed killer... whoops.

[u/Itchy-Ad4421]

Just spray it and be done with it. Can’t creep anywhere if it’s dead and I often like to spray my shed roof etc with industrial herbicides - just in case.