Ivy can be a nightmare, it is very quick growing and as you are finding out is very invasive. You need to cut it back away from the roof of your neigbours gargae. you can use secatuers normally as young Ivy isnt particularly thick or strong. If you leave this to die off for a few weeks it should be easy to remove the dead branches from the roof. Keep it trimmed back each year. Hope you find this helpful
Brian
June 2008