We answer a selection of your property-related questions
Is it illegal to fell a tree in our garden?
Q: The previous owners planted a eucalyptus tree at the end of our (10m) garden. While it looks great, it is now getting unmanageably tall and bushy and we would prefer to cut it down and plant something more suitable. Our neighbour at the back likes the tree and told us home owners cannot cut down old trees: when he was extending his house, cutting down a tree was part of the planning application. Is he right?
AYour neighbour is partly correct in that it is – generally – illegal to uproot/cut down any tree over 10 years old unless you have a Felling Notice. This is obtained from the Garda station nearest to the tree targetted for felling. But – and this is where your situation comes in – there are exceptions.
According to the Department of Agriculture (agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice) the requirement for a felling licence does not apply in certain situations including where: a) the tree in question is a fruit tree; b) the tree is less than 100 feet from a dwelling other than a wall or temporary structure.
The penalties for illegal felling range from fines of up to a maximum of €63.49 per tree to imprisonment for up to two years. In addition to any fine imposed by the court, the Minister may, by order, require the person convicted to replant.
Checking out your local Citizens Information (citizensinformation.ie) for advice.
Can I rent out two rooms in my house?
Q As my circumstances have changed, I now need to rent a room out in my home to help with mortgage repayments. I understand I can do that and earn €10,000 tax free. But can I rent more than one room? (Mine is a three-bedroom house and I was thinking of renting two bedrooms.) I live near a college so do not anticipate having any problems getting students but I am unsure about what I should provide in the rooms, etc. Also do I have to register with the landlord’s register?
AYes, you can rent more than one room under the scheme, once the total rent received does not exceed €10,000.
By “landlord’s register” we assume you mean the PRTB – and the answer is no, because your tenants will be living with you under a licence agreement not a tenancy agreement. You also don’t have to provide a rent book.
You should make sure the bedrooms are comfortable and warm with, ideally, a study desk and lamp and bookshelves. You should also empty a couple of cupboards in the kitchen for the exclusive use of your tenants as well as a shelf on the fridge and space in the bathroom.
The clearer you are from the beginning about the rules – eg smoking, friends staying over, putting on the alarm, how and when the rent will be paid – the more successful this new arrangement will be.
Your questions
Send your queries to Property questions, The Irish Times, The Irish Times Building, 24-28 Tara Street, Dublin 2 or e-mail propertyquestions@irishtimes.com. This column is a readers' service and is not intended to replace professional advice.
