Outdoors
Garden laws you might be unknowingly breaking - and they could cost £20k
A huge £18.6bn was spent on UK gardens in 2021, which would account for some homeowners making big changes to their outdoor spaces. But did you know that some garden changes could end up costing you more than you bargained for?
With this in mind, the bespoke garden rooms experts at Haon Garden Rooms have unveiled the top laws you may be breaking without knowing.
1. Tree and hedge laws
If your trees or plants are overhanging into your neighbours garden or onto a public footpath, they or the council have the right to cut them back. However, if the pruning (the removal of plant parts, such as branches, leaves, buds, blooms, and roots) damages the tree, you could be held liable.
It’s worth noting that if the trees are protected by a tree preservation order it’s illegal to cut, lop or destroy them without permission from the local council. If you do then you could face a fine of up to £20,000.
2. Noise nuisance
Local councils can impose fines starting from £100 and escalating to £5,000 if you are reported to be repeatedly using loud garden equipment at inappropriate times, such as, early in the morning or late at night as this would be considered a noise nuisance.
So, if you’re looking to start working on your garden soon, ensure the work is done between Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturdays 8am to 1pm.
3. Bonfires
While there may not be a law to prohibit bonfires in your garden, if the smoke from one becomes a nuisance to your neighbours or causes danger to traffic, the council can issue fines up to £5,000 if they deem it to be a statutory nuisance.
Haon
4. Waste disposal
It is against the law to burn certain materials such as plastic, paint and household rubbish in your garden as they can release toxic fumes and breach environmental regulations. Incidents like this can receive on the spot fines of £300 for improper waste burning, but in serious cases it could lead to a court case and a fine of £5,000.
5. Pest control
Even if you haven’t planted them yourself, you can still find yourself liable for plants growing in your garden, such as Japanese Knotweed. Plants like this are very invasive and can spread from your property to your neighbours, causing damage to vegetation and even structural damage.
It’s essential you control its growth or you could face fines up to £2,500 and in severe cases you could see criminal charges which would come with fines of up to £20,000. The government has provided some useful tips on how to stop it spreading here.
6. Light pollution
Many people like to decorate their garden with lights to make it a great space for entertaining. However, you could face fines from your local authority of up to £5,000 if it becomes a statutory nuisance by causing light pollution and is disturbing not only your neighbours, but wildlife too.
Haon
7. Garden structures
If you’re looking to build a garden structure such as a garden office, shed or installing decking, then it’s important you obtain the necessary planning permission, especially in areas of conservation or if it exceeds height restrictions - or you may have to dismantle it.Fines would vary based on the violation but you could look at facing up to £20,000 and in some cases you may be required to pay £50 for each day that the work isn’t put right after the conviction.
8. Dangerous trees
If there is a tree on your property that is considered unsafe and a risk to public safety then you may be faced with an enforcement notice from your local authority, and if you fail to act on this then it can result in penalties.Depending on the tree, fines could range anywhere from hundreds to thousands of pounds.
9. Water regulations
Last summer we saw a new hosepipe ban come into place following just a short break since the previous one. In the times of a drought when such precautions have been enforced you can face fines of £1,000 if you do not adhere.
Jason Mennie, Managing Director and bespoke garden rooms expert has offered his top tips if you’re considering making any changes to your garden space:
"Many UK homeowners may be unaware that routine activities in their garden could be breaking the law, what might seem like harmless gardening could lead to hefty fines of up to £20,000. It’s important for residents to familiarise themselves with local regulations to avoid costly surprises, maintain good relationships with neighbours, and ensure they are acting responsibly within environmental guidelines."
