My neighbor has a few trees that are overhanging onto my yard. The ones with the purple leaves. I’m conflicted because I want to cut them down because they’re ugly and let the sun through, but I also like the privacy they provide. Should I ask the neighbor before I start cutting them, I believe they rent.
Regardless of the legal issues, you should speak with the owner of the property -- that is the landlord, not the tenants.
If he/she is a normal and reasonable person, and wants to keep a good neighbor, they'll get someone to prune the trees and pay for it. This is what I did the last time a neighbor asked me if I could prune some bushes in my property. It's not complicated, but there's a technique to cutting trees so that they regrow in a healthy, aesthetically pleasing manner.
If they are the cheap kind, they might tell you to prune the trees at your expense. If they say that, read about pruning trees, get a pole pruner and cut back the trees yourself. It's not complicated. This is what I did when by back neighbor had some trees casting a shadow on my vegetable garden. When I started pruning the trees, he came out of his house and said that I could actually cut down the whole trees that were bothering me. I started doing that, and then my chainsaw died halfway through the job. He then lent me his chainsaw. Good guy.
But let's say the landlord does not reply, or says no, AND there are no regulations regarding pruning trees in your town (even if they are regulations, these usually govern cutting trees completely, or severely pruning, or some HOA b.s.): you are entitled to cut the branches that cross the line to your property. And if the neighbor complains, tell them "so sue me". They won't.
You cannot cut down trees that are not on your property. Even if the people living in the home are renting. They are not your trees to do with as you wish.
In some areas there are restrictions and you cannot cut down trees that are on your own property, without a permit.
Check with the local authorities before doing anything. In many locations you are permitted to legally trim whatever is hanging over the property line onto your property, but nothing else.
