According to the bespoke garden rooms experts at Haon Garden Rooms, some garden changes could end up costing you more than you had hoped.
This includes tree and hedge laws that Britons may not even know.
The experts said: “If your trees or plants are overhanging into your neighbour’s 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.”
Local councils can also 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 in the morning or late at night.
So, if you are looking to start working on your garden, ensure the work is done between Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturdays 8am to 1pm.
The experts continued: “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.”
It is also 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 such as these 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.
Even if you haven’t planted certain plants in your garden yourself, you can still be fined for them, such as Japanese knotweed.
Plants like these are very invasive and can spread from your property to your neighbours, causing damage to vegetation and even structural damage.
The experts said: “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.”
If there is a tree on your property that is considered unsafe and a risk to public safety, then you may be forced with an enforcement notice from your local authority. This should be acted on immediately or you may face fines.
Jason Mennie, managing director of the company said: “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.”
