A Teddington couple are outraged after their front garden was damaged by the roots of a tree owned by public landlord Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP).

Husband and wife Steven and Eileen Geer were unaware of the extent of the damage the tree was causing to their property, until a passing surveyor noticed the paving slabs in their front garden were no longer laying flat due to roots growing underneath them.

Despite Twickenham's Conservative parliamentary candidate Jonathan Hulley contacting RHP on the couple's behalf, the public landlord maintains it are not responsible for damages to the property as it is privately owned.

Roots from the tree are causing paving slabs in the Geers' front garden to lift up. (Photo: Oliver Monk)

Mr and Mrs Geer's home along Borland Road, which Eileen has lived in since 16 August 1976, was owned by Richmond Council and later RHP before the couple bought it under the Right to Buy scheme.

The couple contacted RHP, which still own the tree outside their home, in January 2023 to recover costs to repair the damage, as well as assurances that the tree will be maintained to prevent further issues.

However, RHP refused to pay to repair the Geers' front fence and paving slabs, instead telling them to go through their home insurance.

"Why should we pay for them?" says Eileen, explaining how along with the initial excess, the couple's premiums could go up as a result.

"They don't care, that's my opinion," adds Steven.

Damage to the RHP-owned pavement outside the property has been covered with new tarmac, but is still uneven. RHP says they cannot repair the fence next to it as it's private property. (Photo: Oliver Monk)

Steven, who sometimes uses a mobility scooter, says he is concerned about the damage to the pavement outside the property, with the uneven ground posing a safety risk to those using mobility aids like him.

Richmond Council has been made aware of the issue, even providing documents proving RHP owns the tree.

After email replies from RHP slowed, Mr and Mrs Geer sought the help of Conservative parliamentary candidate and ex-lawyer Jonathan Hulley at one of his shadow MP surgery sessions.

"'We lost the paperwork' was the first one," says Eilleen. "How can an email go missing?"

Mr Hulley has since been in touch with RHP on behalf of the Geers, but the housing partnership continues to deny responsibility.

Jonathan Hulley has previously visited Mr and Mrs Geer regarding the tree. (Photo: Oliver Monk)

Mr and Mrs Geer say they first noticed issues with the tree eight years ago, but within a day of contacting their then-MP, Liberal Democrat Vince Cable, an RHP representative was sent to the couple's home to put down some shingle to temporarily deal with the damage.

"You've been given the runaround for years," Mr Hulley tells the couple.

In a written statement to Nub News, Head of Neighbourhood and Communities at RHP Caroline Hand says it has completed a crown reduction to the tree after recommendations from specialist reports on both sides.

The council-owned pavement around the tree has not been repaired. (Photo: Oliver Monk)

She adds: "As Mr Geer's property is privately owned, the boundary isn't something we can repair".

"We also made repairs to our path," she says, adding that RHP has "advised Mr Geer contacts Richmond Council regarding his concerns of public safety in respect of the council-owned pavement."

Mr Hulley maintains "the report couldn't be clearer" about the housing partnership's tree being responsible for the damage.

"We've done what we can do," he says, adding: "The next step is to go legal."

He continues: "[RHP] is failing on so many fronts. They need to be held accountable [...] RHP must be better than this."

A tag on the tree helped prove RHP's ownership. (Photo: Oliver Monk)

RHP's full statement says: "RHP is a socially responsible landlord which is committed to providing safe, secure homes in a way that's environmentally sustainable. To enable all residents to benefit from the increased wellbeing that trees provide in our communities we take expert advice to ensure our communal trees can thrive.

"We have a robust tree maintenance programme, which includes a full survey of every communal tree, every three years, plus an annual walkabout, both carried out by an independent qualified arborist.

"This tree in Borland Road was last inspected on 25 April 2023 and it was advised that the crown should be reduced by a maximum of 20-30 per cent or up to three metres. We can confirm this work has been completed and we also made repairs to our path.

"We're only permitted to carry out the arborist's recommendations and the cost of any tree works are passed on to residents. As Mr Geer's property is privately owned, the boundary isn't something we can repair. 

"We have listened to his concerns and advised that the work required to level out the pathway be claimed through his building insurance.

"We've also advised Mr Geer contacts Richmond Council regarding his concerns of public safety in respect of the council-owned pavement."

The tree outside Mr and Mrs Geer's home. (Photo: Oliver Monk)