Is tree pruning the responsibility of the landlord or tenant?

Why are they being cut anyway? Does the tenant just want it for aesthetic reasons or is there a safety issue?

Be careful. Telling a tenant “climb that tree and start cutting” could result in serious injury. If you instructed them to do it, that wouldn’t look good. I remember a housing association telling me I had to climb to the second storey with no safety gear or even a ladder so I climbed a rotten fence to reach a garden light which turned out to be rusted closed and the bulb had gone. Essentially if I had been shocked and fallen, who would have been liable?

Imagine a housing association literally instructing an untrained tenant with no climbing equipment to do that. To the lady on the phone , it was simply changing a lightbulb ? so it’s the tenant’s responsibility. But in real terms, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.

Don’t instruct tenants to do dangerous things. Can you get a pole that lets you cut it from ground level while you’re off to the side so it doesn’t fall on you? That may be cheap and safe. If not, you may want to instruct trainee professionals. It doesn’t matter who’s responsibility it is. If it needs doing (and it may not need doing) it has to be done safely. I don’t take risks with tenant safety

Thank you to everyone for your replies. It seems a bit of a grey area. I am going to visit and assess the trees. If necessary we will see to the trees ( I suspect it is the apple tree she is bothered about) she is paying well below the going rate at present!

If the trees are not dangerous and or really seriously blocking light to the windows of their flat. Then why are they asking for it??? If the tree is really overgrown preventing their rightful use and enjoyment of the garden then yes you should Pruning is not that expensive you need planning permission if you are in a Conservation area or if the tree has a TPO on it

Trees not even apple trees need to be pruned if they only ornamental ( you prune apple trees trees etc to let light into the fruit and so you can reach the fruit)

Dont prune in the middle of winter when the sap is not running Any time but not middle of the winter is best as the sap will heal the wound/cut Pruning mid winter is a old idea that science has shown to be wrong