Paying for branches falling on neighbors fence?

[Amir Navabpour]

One of my properties had a tree with large branches that fell and broke part of the neighbors fence. Now they’re asking us to pay for it. How would you generally handle this? I can see why they are asking but at the same time anywhere I’ve ever lived I always trim branches from neighbors that is encroaching on my property

[Linda S.]

@Amir Navabpour,

Is it a dead tree that they have warned you about?  If so, it is your fault, as they have warned you-- and you chose to not fix it.   If it's a living tree,  and just an "act of God" as insurance puts it, it's on them.  If they want to make a claim with their homeowners, it's on them.   How much to fix it?   If it's a small issue (under $500),  I'd probably just fix it or offer to split the cost.

Just to warn you of what's coming,  because I had a tree limb fall on a neighbor's shed.. they will likely do an insurance claim, and then the insurance company will hire someone to try and come after you for the debt.  

At the end of the day, they are responsible for trimming any branches that might hurt their property.  I just paid $1,000 to move a huge limb of the neighbor's tree that was looking like it could hit our house, or hit my tenant's cars.  It's part of the game, always better to be preventative!