Condo Questions: New Trees Blocking Your View? Not Much You Can Do

Q: Ten years ago, we purchased a second-floor condo unit with a beautiful river valley view. The gardening committee recently had new trees and shrubs planted, including a large tree that blocks our window. We bought the condo unit specifically for the view. What recourse do we have?

A: You probably have no recourse, as you do not own a view. In answering, I am assuming that the lands in front of your building are common property and the condominium corporation was within its rights to plant trees and shrubs.

Helpful hint: Your situation is akin to someone who lives in a highrise building, and then another building is erected across the street, blocking the view. This happens, and there is unfortunately nothing you can do to prevent that.