The 5 garden laws you could be breaking without even realising – and it could end up costing you a £20k fine this winter
GARDENERS aren’t usually thought of as big rule breakers, but you could be breaking the law without even realising it.
It turns out there are five little-known laws that could land you with a hefty fine – so are you guilty of any?
From overhanging trees, boundary disputes and blocked sunlight, these gardening rules could result in more than just a feud with your neighbours.
A spokesperson from GardenBuildingsDirect explained: “Many homeowners may be completely unaware of the laws and guidance protecting their outdoor space.”
Garden Buildings
According to the pro, if you have a building in your garden that takes up more than 50 percent of the area of land around your home, exceeds 2.5 metres in height, or will be used as a self-contained living accommodation, it could need planning permission to exist.
If it already does exist it may not considered a Permitted Development.
Blocking light
Every gardener knows the importance of good light, but did you know that under the Rights of Light Act, if a window has received natural light for 20 years or more, it can’t be blocked by neighbours.
This means you can’t plant a tree in your garden if it looks the light of your neighbour’s window, but only if it’s been 20 or more years.
Hedge boundaries
The classic argument of who is responsible for cutting the hedge has been solved.
It turns out If a hedge in your garden grows along the boundary between two properties, both responsible maintaining it.
“If a neighbour’s hedge grows into your garden, you can trim it, but must return the trimmings to the owner,” the pro added.
Trimming plants
If your neighbour’s plants or trees grow into or over your harden you are able to trim them up until your property line.
However, if you do this it’s important to keep in mind any trimmings still belong to your neighbour.
Removing protected trees
“Important trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders, which restrict homeowners from being able to remove or prune them, even if they are in their own garden,” the expert told Express.co.uk.
If you do disturb a protected tree without first obtaining the correct permissions you could land yourself with a fine of up to an eye-watering £20,000.
5 ways to save money in your garden
Garden design experts at Lighting Legends have revealed the ways you can lower gardening costs.
1. Install a water butt
Water butts are a large container that sits in your garden and collects rainwater. This water can then be used to water plants, top up ponds or water features and wash the patio and other garden furniture. The natural outdoor water could help you save money on your water bills as you are less likely to use a hose during the summer months.
2. Use solar powered or LED lighting
Solar powered lights get their energy from the sunlight in the day so they can illuminate your garden at night. They’re easy to install and are a great choice for keeping electricity bills low. LED lights are another option that are long lasting and energy efficient.
3. Grow your own salad and vegetables
Growing your own salad and vegetables will not only save you money but it can also feel really rewarding. Things like lettuce, radishes, and spinach are all fairly easy to grow.
4. Upcycle waste and rubbish
Get creative and start upcycling items instead of throwing them away. Use sticks from ice lollies as plant tags or turn old watering cans and wheelbarrows into planters instead of buying new pots. Once you get creative the ways to upcycle are endless.
5. Start composting
Start composting your kitchen scraps like vegetable peelings and coffee grounds and combine them with garden waste such as leaves and grass clippings to create a nutrient rich compost. This could reduce your need to spend money on expensive fertilisers.