Problems with City Council

[westofsouth]

Some years ago the local City Council planted a street tree outside of a rental property which I own. Cracks have appeared in the front of the property making it unsuitable for occupation. Tests have been carried out (by my insurer) which indicate tree root damage. The council refuse to remove the tree - apparently because this would amount to an admission of liability. A further complication is that the council have declared this un-rentable property to be my 'second home' - in order to impose a 90% council tax rate.
I have used the full council complaints process and also the Local Gov Ombudsman service, to no avail. Appeals direct to the (elected) Mayor have also been unsuccessful.

Any suggestions?

[theartfullodger]

Shoot out the neighbouring street-lights: Wait 9 days....

Wait until a very cold, dark, stormy night.....

Go out about 3:27am with a drill & some used engine oil:

Dig out about 8 inches down trunk then drill hole down into middle of roots... Pour in engine oil... cover it all up, if possible get rover to leave his deposits to deter anyone looking closely...

3-6 months later tree may unexpectedly die.....


Cheers!

[jta]

I'm assuming this is a house, not a flat.

My answer to this would be to dig into the garden until you expose the roots then chop through them. However I am on my 4th drink of the night so may think differently tomorrow. I mean it though. The council will soon remove the tree if it dies off. The 'second home' argument cannot stand up if challenged with proof that you bought the place as an investment.

I think this is worth a court case if you can find a surveyor to agree with you.

[Berlingogirl]

Get a saw and cut through the bark in two rings around the trunk. Make the rings about 4" apart. This is 'ringing' and will kill the tree.

I'm also on my 4th drink of the night, but I'm not on the razz with jta, and I won't think differently tomorrow.

artful - come on! us girls don't have engine oil and a drill that can do 8" deep drill hole Do you want to come round and kill my trees? Might be a bit of a hike from yours to mine!

[jta]

I'm also on my 4th drink of the night, but I'm not on the razz with jta,

To my everlasting regret.

[theartfullodger]

....

artful - come on! us girls don't have engine oil and a drill that can do 8" deep drill hole Do you want to come round and kill my trees? Might be a bit of a hike from yours to mine!

Eh?? Thought we all had staff to do actual work......

[tim123456789]

If you really do have the evidence that they tree is the cause then you sue them