12 ways you could be breaking the law in your garden

There are always jobs to be done in the garden, but while it's tempting to whip out your saw to cut back an overhanging branch or put up some new fencing, take a minute to check you aren't breaking the law.

We asked James Forrester of Barrows and Forrester for the biggest cause of neighbour disputes in the garden. He tells us that one of the most common issues is to do with boundaries, and often involves fences and hedges.

So can you safely go ahead with those seemingly harmless garden jobs? We did some digging to give you the facts on what you can and can't do in your own back yard.

Gardening expert Peter Ivanov of Fantastic Gardeners, tells us: “Maintaining a back garden in the UK naturally comes with certain legal responsibilities and regulations that gardeners should be aware of to make sure they aren’t breaking the law.”

"To avoid any issues or associated fines, it's very important to do research and be knowledgeable of both local and national regulations as they can vary by region."

12 ways you could be breaking the law in your garden

1. Removing or pruning trees

It is an offence to damage or carry out work on protected trees without authorisation.

Half the fun of gardening is the act of getting your gloves on and working with the soil. But what you might consider light landscaping of your property could land you with a fine, if you’re not careful.

Many trees are protected by tree preservation orders (TPOs).

Ivanov notes: “TPOs are put in place to protect important trees, and, in such a situation, you would need permission from your local council to carry out any work on them.”

Failure to gain permissions could subject you to a fine of up to £20,000, according to the Woodland Trust.

And TPO or not, if you're planning on packing your plants when moving house, be sure to check what plants you will be able to take, as it’s not as straightforward as you may think. 

2. Cutting back tree roots and branches

You should be safe provided the tree doesn’t have a TPO, and it’s done with care.

The same goes for tree roots and branches. You can cut those within your garden’s boundary, provided the tree at hand is not under a TPO. Furthermore, the RHS notes that you should make sure you are well-equipped to do a decent job, as any damage caused to the tree by your pruning could land you in trouble.

“Branches should be OK,” says Forrester. As for the roots, he highlights that it depends on where they are coming from and on what the outcome will be. Cutting roots from your neighbour’s tree could redirect the growth of that tree, or cause damage.

“If it falls down or dies, for example, they could put in a costly claim for a replacement tree of the same age or size,” he adds.

The solution? Speak with your neighbour beforehand.

3. Trimming your neighbour’s hedge or creeping branches

This is safe, so long as you don’t cross your garden’s boundaries .

You are within your rights to trim back branches of unprotected trees – without a TPO – or plants that come into your garden from a public road or your neighbour’s. However, you don’t want to take it too far. Don’t go over the boundary line, otherwise your neighbour will be able to file a complaint against you.

Property boundaries might be a little unclear according to GOV.UK, with no record of who owns what between two homes.

If you can’t find your records, your best bet is to look at your property’s ‘title plan’, which you can find on the Land Registry Services website.

Alternatively, you can make a friendly and informal boundary agreement with your neighbour.

4. Trimming your own hedge

You can tend to your own hedge by all means, but make sure you are protecting wildlife.

Shaping your own hedges is safe, but you always want to keep in mind that hedges make fine homes for nesting birds, and intentionally encroaching on their habitat is an offence. 

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) recommends always checking for active nests before cutting. Breeding season for birds typically runs from March to August every year, so avoid doing any work on your hedges over this period to minimise risk. 

“Certainly, with birds where it’s mating season, you need to make sure you’re checking,” Forrester adds.

If you are getting a professional in, they will almost certainly make a point of checking. The RSPB further highlights: “It is an offence under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built, or to intentionally kill, injure or take chicks or adults, or intentionally take or destroy any eggs.”

Ivanov adds: “To avoid any legal complications and make sure your garden is also benefiting the local wildlife. It's very important to first check for the presence of active nests before trimming any hedges you have.”

5. Introducing new plants

Fine and dandy, so long as they are not listed invasive plants.

Why someone would want to introduce Japanese knotweed to their garden we do not know, however, this is just one of a number of invasive non-native species covered by legislation.

“It’s a very grey area, but it’s something you have to be careful of,” notes Forrester. “What you don’t want to do is have a certain type of plant that spreads and causes damage, which you’ve brought on to the property.”

Not only would you be liable if it spread to your neighbours’ gardens, but in a worst case scenario it could spread down the street.

You might then be getting calls from a lot of different insurance companies. “Japanese knotweed, for example, will spread up and down an area,” says Forrester.

“Introducing or allowing invasive non-native species to grow in your garden can also be against the law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Such plants don’t always look unattractive and that often makes them hard to identify as harmful,” says Ivanov.

6. Planting a tree

If it negatively impacts the light on a property, your neighbours might have a case.

You should always be considerate of neighbours when introducing anything large, especially near your garden boundaries. While low plants and other garden essentials might not be an issue, a tree that could interrupt light levels on a neighbouring property could.

“If you want to plant one or more trees in your garden, you should be aware that, according to the Right to Light act, if your neighbour has had natural light accessing their windows for 20 years or more, you are legally not allowed to block it with a new tree,” notes Ivanov, who advises to plant up away from neighbouring windows to avoid issues. 

Realistically, Forrester notes, it’s normally a building that would cause issues with the Right to Light act, as trees are so slow growing. It also depends on which window you might be blocking.

A bedroom window, for example, would be more problematic than blocking a bathroom window.

7. Enjoying a late night or (very) early morning dip in the hot tub

Noise disturbances go beyond too much gassing on the patio

“Excessive noise, whether it’s from loud garden machinery, parties, or animals, can lead to noise complaints from neighbours, and local councils have the power and right to investigate and address such disturbances,” says Ivanov.

So be conscious of what could be causing a disturbance and speak with your neighbours if you have any concerns.  For example, if you have a hot tub, there’s a chance that the hum could be bothersome at night and above permitted noise levels between 11pm and 7am. GOV.UK states: “The permitted noise levels of using A-weighted decibels (the unit environmental noise is usually measured in) is:

• 34 dBA (decibels adjusted), if the underlying level of noise is no more than 24 dBA
• 10 dBA above the underlying level of noise if this is more than 24 dBA”

Your neighbour could complain, in which case you might receive a warning notice from the council. Failure to comply could subject you to a fixed penalty, prosecution or worse, to the removal of the “noise maker.”

8. Building a new shed or garden outbuilding

You might not be sleeping in there but you still might need planning permission

You’re getting your garden together, you’re installing a shed, but have you considered whether or not your shed needs planning permission?

“If you intend to make significant changes to your garden layout, for example, building structures such as sheds or extensions, you may need planning permission,” says Ivanov.

“Failing to obtain one can lead to legal issues and financial loss in the future. If you want to add a building to your garden, a very cost-effective way to make sure you don’t need a permit for it is to make it one storey, no taller than 2.5m, or 3m (8ft, or 10ft) at the highest point, it isn’t intended for permanent residual use, or isn't larger than 50% of your garden.”

9. Putting up and maintaining a fence

It’s a messy and disruptive job

This is a common cause for disagreements, says Forrester. You should know your boundary lines and keep an open conversation with neighbours for best results.  “You’ll always know from the title deed which side of the fence you’re responsible for,” he says.

Again, you can refer to the  Land Registry Services, where it should be clearly stated in the title deed he advises. “The difficulty is if you want to change the fence,” says Forrester.

If you want to upgrade wooden posts with more durable concrete frames, for example, you’ll be taking down a boundary. It’s common sense to let neighbours know what you’re planning, especially if you’re using an outside company who might need access to their land to do the work, and potentially leave a mess behind.

When it comes to things like repairs, take care of what’s on your side. It’s your responsibility to get a fallen fence back up if it falls down, Forrester tells us, so make this a priority.

Another common argument, he adds, is when it comes to ensuring all your fences look the same aesthetically.

“If you replace one side, you might want the other boundaries to look the same,” he says.

This is usually an issue with semi-detached or terraced houses and in is an example of where a legal agreement might come in handy – especially if you don’t particularly gel with your neighbours. You wouldn’t want to fork out only to have someone change it a year later if they are legally responsible for it.

10. Picking up fallen fruit and blooms

Your fruit or mine? It’s less of a game than you think

“If your neighbours are growing fruit trees, the branches of which hang over your garden space and fruit has fallen in your garden, they have the legal right to ask for it back – or file a complaint,” says Ivanov.

“If you happen to have picked the fruit from their tree yourself, that will legally count as theft,” he says. In fact, this is registered as a criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968, Sections 1-6.

To avoid upset, simply return the fruit to your neighbours. Do not, however, just throw it back into their garden, says Ivanov, as this is legally considered to be littering. It could even be construed as fly tipping, which comes with a fine.

“The same regulation applies to any flowers that may have fallen in your garden from your neighbours,” he adds. Stay on your neighbours’ good sides and chances are they will not be upset about sharing the odd bloom or piece of fruit with you.

11. Adding CCTV

Keep your property secure while being respectful of your neighbours’ rights to privacy 

Installing anything in your garden that might compromise your neighbours’ privacy is a no-no. 

This doesn’t stop at CCTV, but could even include the likes of trampolines or outbuildings from which you can then see into a neighbour’s garden or home.

Forrester highlights that if you are using CCTV, you should be displaying notices that you are recording. 

That said, it’s a good idea to have CCTV protecting the rear of your house. And you may find that if it overlaps a little into your neighbour’s garden, they might actually appreciate it. Just let them know.

12. Getting on top of garden waste

What's the law on burning garden waste?

Composting is one way to get rid of garden waste and you can check to see whether your local council offers a collection service, too. However, illegally dumping or burning garden waste may result in fines – for fly tipping or causing a nuisance.

“There are no rules to stop you burning it,” says Forrester. The smell though can annoy people, so be mindful of this. He also notes that too much smoke can cause problems, and a bonfire could easily be classed as nuisance smoke, so always be mindful of this.

If it’s leaves that you’re picking up in particular, make sure you deal with them correctly.  “If you regularly clear fallen leaves during spring, summer, and autumn but you still end up with more from your neighbour's trees, keep in mind that they are under no legal obligation to agree and assist in cleaning up,” says Ivanov. 

“Besides that, you also can’t simply throw them back over the fence as this will be considered littering.”