Neighbour's Tree - Drain Problems (How can I find out who owns the house?)

[vikkib]

Hello all,

Not sure where to put this so please move if needed!

We've recently had some work carried out in our garden and the contractors found some drains which have been damaged by the roots from a sycamore tree in next door's garden.

The tree is large and very close to both house.

I'd asked the previous tenants to speak to the landlord about it but nothing happened and then they moved out.

I'd like to inform the landlord in writing of the problem and request he arranges for a tree surgeon to remove the tree.

Problem is the current tenants know him only by first name and he's a friend of a friend of a friend and don't have any contact details for him.

I have a first name and a phone number which upon a google search turns out to be a work number for steel manufacturing company. I have spoken to him at this number in the past so I assume it's where he works.

I've tried the Land Registry and they don't have any records of any titles for the property so I can't pay the £4 for his details.

Does anyone have any ideas how else I can find out the owner of the property?

Failing that can I inform anyone that could track him down? Any local authority agencies that could help?

[rustylady]

Hello all,

Problem is the current tenants know him only by first name and he's a friend of a friend of a friend and don't have any contact details for him.

I have a first name and a phone number which upon a google search turns out to be a work number for steel manufacturing company. I have spoken to him at this number in the past so I assume it's where he works.

Seems very strange to me, don't they have a tenancy agreement? Do you know if they pay their own rent or if they are on Housing Benefit?

[vikkib]

They pay their rent. They are a couple and apparently the guy works with the son of the landlord. Or maybe the friend of the son of the landlord... I lost track! It was the same with the previous tenants.

[rustylady]

But surely they must have a tenancy agreement? That should state the name and address of the landlord.

[alldigging]

But surely they must have a tenancy agreement? That should state the name and address of the landlord.

And if they don't then they can legally withhold rent.

[Two_Sheds]

If you were to instruct a solicitor, they would pronto find out who the landlord was

[PyreneesPlot]

You could try your local councillor. My dad was one and often sorted out local disputes and problems.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Sounds like a tax fiddle to me. Drop the hint to your neighbours that you will be contacting the authorities and see what happens.

Colin

[northepaul]

I'd be really suprised if they dont have some way to contact the landlord, and a tenancy agreement too.
How would they contact him if it was an emergancy?

[Newton]

They might do it through an agency! They must have the landlords details..........withholding rent and must be a tax fiddle are a bit premature I think......

The land might be unregistered TS so a solicitor might see it as an open cheque book to carry out investigations.

Point out the outcomes of the root problem to the new tenants......they might empathise and put you in contact.

[Mikey]

One quick search you could carry out is to check through your local council planning records. Most councils now have records accessible online, so as you'll have the postcode and house number it might bring up some details for the owner if any work has been carried out in the last 8-10 years.

[vikkib]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

I've contacted the environmental protection department at the local council and they've been very helpful.

After mentioning in my last answerphone message to the landlord that the environmental protection department would be contacting him he has actually called me back finally!

I've explained the situation and got a surname and home address from him so I'll be putting something in writing to him and chasing it up on a weekly basis until it's sorted.

[northepaul]

Way to go Vikki!

[SlugLobber]

Well done! I don't think being friends or relatives is any excuse for no tenancy agreement, these days. My OH offered a work colleague our house when I moved out and I insisted on it. Very surprised that this bloke trusts people he doesn't even know with something worth 100s of thousands of pounds!