01/12/2023
Hey Alice Springs Neighbours! 🏡🌞
We hope everyone is well and enjoying the beautiful weather in our amazing community! 🌈☀️ Today, let's shed some light on a timely concern – what happens when a tree from your yard decides with some help from a storm, to take a leap into your neighbour's property? 🤔🌲
1. Responsibility for Tree Maintenance:
• It's important to note that the responsibility for tree maintenance usually falls on the property owner where the tree is situated. Regularly inspecting and addressing potential risks can prevent unwanted surprises.
2. Tree Falls on Neighbour's Property (as a result of storm or similar):
• If a tree falls from your yard onto your neighbour's property, the owner of the damaged property is responsible for the repairs and should contact their insurer for further advice/instruction. However, there are exceptions and nuances to consider.
3. Home Building Insurance and Landlord's insurance:
• Most Home Building Insurance, Home Contents Insurance and Landlord's Insurance policies cover damage to your own property caused by fallen trees and damage caused by fallen trees from your neighbours’ property. It's advisable to check your policy and understand its specifics.
NOTE: If you are renting, contact your Agent or Landlord ASAP.
4. Communicate with Your Neighbour:
• In case of such an incident, maintaining open communication with your neighbour is key. Discuss the situation, share insurance information, and work together to resolve any damages or cleanup needed.
5. Seek Professional Advice:
• If you're uncertain about your insurance coverage or the extent of your responsibility, it's always a good idea to seek advice from insurance professionals or legal experts.
6. Boundary fences:
• In Australia, shared perimeter fences are mostly owned equally by both adjoining property owners. Therefore, if a fallen tree has damaged a shared perimeter fence, each property owner will be responsible for 50% of the fence damage, and most insurers will only pay for 50% of the damage. There are some exceptions to this, but in most instances, you will only be able to claim for 50% of the damage to a shared perimeter fence and your neighbour will need to lodge a claim for the rest of the damage (or pay for it themselves if they are not insured).
Remember: Prevention is the Best Medicine!
• Regular tree maintenance and inspections can help prevent these situations. Keep an eye on the health and stability of your trees to ensure the safety of your property and your neighbours'
Always consult with local authorities and insurance experts to get accurate information tailored to your specific circumstances. Let's keep our community informed and look out for one another! 🤝💚
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