Height of Hedges

Hi im new to this so please excuse me if im in the wrong place. Im looking for some advice. I have rented a property in Ireland for 6 years and the property next door was also rented however I could never get contact with them. On the house next doors side of the fence there are fern trees that are approx 18 feet tall and over hanging into my garden. I have discussed this with my landlord who is willing pay to have them cut back. I have recently managed to get contact details of the owner and I am going to be seeking that he reduce the height of these ferns significantly as we can not enjoy our garden in the summer as they block out the sun, also nothing grows that I plant due to this. Is there a law or staute that defines the height of border tress/hedges that are used to fence a boundary? Any help would be useful as knowledge is king! Thanks

I'm not sure if any law exists but something similar happened to me. I have trees which are about 20 feet high. The branches hung over into my neighbour's garden and he cut the trees back on his side as they were affecting his garden, I had no problem whatsoever. I'm almost positive that you have full rights to cut the hedge back seeing as it is interfering with your garden. Just explain to your neighbour and cut the hedge back until it is off your property.

Unfortunately, there is no right to light in this country. People put these ridiculous trees into their small gardens and then leave them to destroy their neighbours garden, lawn and pathways. Just speak to the owner of the trees if you can and ask him to cut them down or at least to 5 - 6 foot hedge height. Keep hacking away at your side and have them flush with the boundary, (you have the right to cut up to the boundary), then return the cut branches for the owner to dispose of as legally they don't belong to you. They are called Cypress Leylandii by the way and I hate them :mad:.