Do I have a right to light?
No. The only way you can have a right to light is if you and the property have had uninterrupted light for at least 15 years, although this is extremely difficult to prove.
Can I have a tree planted outside my house?
We will plant a tree at your chosen location providing that the finances are available and the location is suitable for tree planting. Please contact the Tree Section.
I have a tree covered by a Tree Preservation Order and I want to prune it. What should I do?
You can apply for a pruning application form from the Tree Preservation Officer whose contact details are given here.
Another person's tree is overgrowing my property. What can I do?
You cannot legally force anyone to prune back vegetation that is overhanging your property from their garden. You should approach your neighbour first and if they will not prune the vegetation back, then you are entitled to do so yourself, but you can only prune it back as far as your boundary, pruning beyond the boundary or crossing the boundary to carry out pruning is considered trespass which is a criminal offence. The vegetation you prune off is still technically the neighbour's property and you have to offer it back to them, although they do not have to accept it, in which case you would be responsible for its disposal. You cannot just put the arisings back over the boundary fence etc. into their garden.
Another person's tree is overgrowing a public footway. What can I do?
You can contact the Council and request that it be cut back. The Council will first need to serve a notice on the landowner, as we will need to recover the cost of pruning back the vegetation from them. For this reason, we cannot undertake to prune back the vegetation straight away. Further details are given here.
I am worried that a Council-owned tree is damaging my property. What should I do?
You should contact your building insurers to seek their advice and put your allegations of damage in writing to the Council's Tree Section, supported by documentary evidence of the alleged damage.
A tree outside my house needs pruning. What should I do?
Please contact the Tree Section. An officer will inspect the tree as soon as possible.
How do I report a dangerous tree?
During office hours please contact the Tree Section. Out of office hours please Emergency Services Waltham Forest Direct on 020 8496 3000.
Which trees are the Council responsible for?
The Council is responsible for all trees on Council-owned land including: highways, housing, green spaces, education and social services. The Council, via Planning, is also responsible for tree preservation orders.
I would like to donate / sponsor a tree. What should I do?
Any donations by the public are gratefully received and will go towards our tree planting budget. Cheques can be sent, made payable to "The London Borough of Waltham Forest" to the Tree Section.
