His flowers are ruining my fence again, you think to yourself when you see new shoots climbing up your property in the morning. Does the neighbor even have the right to do such a thing? And what if these “green gifts” start not only to annoy you, but also to damage the fence? Let’s see what the law says.
If the fence belongs to you and is on your property, the neighbor has no right to use it for his plants. Whether it’s hanging planters, leaning vines, or even planting vines that are slowly but surely spreading onto your property, all of this is off-limits without your consent. The fence is yours and the neighbor should respect that.
What if the neighbor’s gardening extends elsewhere? For example, tree branches or bushes that have decided to grow into your property. By law, you have the right to ask your neighbor to fix the problem. If it doesn’t, you can gently remove the branches or roots yourself. But be careful. You need to warn him first and give him a reasonable time to make amends. For common plants such as shrubs, however, you don’t have to wait. You can trim them straight away if they bother you. Even so, it is better to maintain good relations and inform the neighbor in advance.
What about the fruits that fall on your plot? The law is clear, the low-hanging fruit is yours. But be careful of the branches, you have no right to pick them there. If you are bothered by constantly falling fruit, you can ask a neighbor to deal with it. Ideally calmly and without arguments, because neighborly relations are worth a little diplomacy.
Another question that people often solve is the planting of trees near the boundary of the property. If a neighbor plants a tree that grows over three meters in height, it should be at least three meters away from the border. Shorter trees can be closer, but they should still keep a distance of 1.5 meters. If the neighbor ignores these rules, you have the right to request their removal. Although the law does not directly remember bushes, the rule of consideration applies to them as well.
So what to do if your neighbor’s plants really annoy you? It’s best to start off friendly, just tell him. Maybe he doesn’t even know that his gardening bothers you, and he’ll gladly fix it. If it doesn’t work, you can contact the municipal office or ask for legal help. The law is clearly on the side of the fence owner here. But it’s always better to try to negotiate first, because sometimes good relationships are more important than a perfect fence.
And what if you yourself are a neighbor whose plants sometimes visit foreign territory? Realize that a boundary is a boundary. Respect the rights of others and try to keep the garden free of problems. A small gesture of kindness can mean less worry and more peace of mind for everyone.
Neighborly relationships are fragile, but the old saying still holds true: A good fence makes good neighbors. And if there’s a bit of greenery around, so much the better, as long as it’s not at your expense.
Source: poradte.cz, czechpoint101.com
