My Neighbour’s Tree Is Blocking Light – What Are My Tenant Rights?

Living in a rented property should feel comfortable and bright, but if a neighbour’s tree blocks sunlight into your home or garden, it can quickly become frustrating. Dark rooms, colder temperatures and unusable outdoor space can all affect your quality of life as a tenant.

While renters do not have the same control as homeowners, there are still practical steps you can take. This guide explains what rights you have, how to handle the situation calmly, and when to involve your landlord or the council.

What Rights Do Tenants Have?

In the UK, there is no automatic legal right to sunlight. A neighbour is usually allowed to let trees grow on their land as long as they are not dangerous or causing damage. Many councils explain this in their guidance on issues with neighbours’ trees and hedges, such as the advice provided by Buckinghamshire Council.

There is something called a Right to Light, which comes from laws like the Rights of Light Act 1959. This applies when a window has received natural light for at least 20 years without interruption. However, as explained by Homebuilding & Renovating’s guide on neighbours’ trees blocking sunlight, this rule usually applies to buildings and extensions rather than trees. Broxtowe Borough Council also confirms in its guidance on trees in private ownership that trees are rarely affected by Right to Light claims because they grow gradually over time.

For most tenants, this means you cannot force a neighbour to cut down or significantly reduce a tree simply because it blocks sunlight.

Speak to Your Landlord First

As a tenant, your first step should often be to contact your landlord or letting agent.

Explain how the tree is affecting your home, such as reducing natural light, making rooms colder or limiting garden use. Your landlord may be willing to:

• Contact the neighbour on your behalf
• Arrange professional pruning
• Raise the issue with the neighbour’s landlord if they are also renting

Landlords often have more authority in neighbour disputes and may be better placed to handle communication.

Talk to the Neighbour (If You Feel Comfortable)

If your landlord is happy for you to speak directly to the neighbour, a calm and polite conversation can sometimes solve the issue quickly.

Your neighbour may not realise how much the tree affects your rental property. Explain the impact clearly and suggest a simple solution, such as trimming certain branches.

If this does not work, Citizens Advice recommends following up in writing with photos and a clear explanation in their guidance on what to do if a neighbour’s hedge or trees are blocking light in your home. This shows you have tried to resolve the issue reasonably.

What Tenants Can Do Themselves

If branches from the neighbour’s tree cross into your garden or over your rented property, the law allows them to be cut back to the boundary line, as long as you stay on your side of the fence. This is explained in Yahoo News UK’s article on cutting down neighbours’ trees that block sunlight.

However, you should always check with your landlord before doing any cutting. Some tenancy agreements do not allow tenants to carry out garden work without permission.

The branches still belong to the neighbour. Ideal Home explains in its guide on whether you can cut your neighbour’s trees that the cuttings should be offered back or disposed of with the neighbour’s agreement.

You must never cut or damage the tree on your neighbour’s land. Doing so could be treated as criminal damage, even if the tree blocks your light.

You should also check whether the tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order or located in a conservation area. Net Lawman explains in its article on Right to Light and neighbours’ trees that cutting protected trees without council approval can lead to fines.

When the Council Can Help

Councils usually do not intervene just because a tree blocks sunlight, but they may step in if:

• The tree looks dangerous or unstable
• A tall hedge or line of trees is over two metres high
• The tree is protected by law

If the tree is unsafe, you can report it to your local council. Buckinghamshire Council explains this in its guidance on problems with neighbours’ trees.

If the issue involves a tall hedge, Citizens Advice explains how to apply for a High Hedge Notice in its advice on hedges and trees blocking light.

For general guidance, the UK government provides information on resolving neighbour disputes about trees and hedges, which can be found on gov.uk.

Consider Mediation Before Legal Action

If the situation becomes tense, mediation may help.

Citizens Advice explains that mediation allows neighbours to discuss the issue with a neutral third party. This can often lead to a compromise without the stress, cost or time involved in court action.

Legal action should be a last resort. Claims about trees blocking light are difficult to win and can be expensive. If the problem is severe, your landlord should seek legal advice rather than you as the tenant.

Keep Evidence

As a tenant, it is helpful to keep:

• Photos showing how the tree blocks light
• Copies of emails to your landlord or neighbour
• Notes of conversations and dates

This can support your case if the issue needs to be escalated.

Quick Guide for Tenants

• Report the issue to your landlord
• Try polite communication
• Do not cut trees without permission
• Only trim branches on your side if allowed
• Check for protected trees
• Use mediation if needed
• Let your landlord handle legal steps