Whether it’s a mature tree blocking your afternoon sun or a thorny rose bush pressing through your fence panels, neighbours’ gardens have the potential to be annoying and intrusive. Even if you have a good relationship with your neighbour, it can be tricky to know what to do when their garden is left untended and encroaches onto yours.
To address these issues, you should aim to have open and respectful communication with your neighbour, potentially seeking a compromise or resolution. That said, in some cases, it may be necessary to escalate your concerns. Local ordinances or property laws may be in place to deal with such problems.
In this guide, we’ll run through the different types of problems caused by neighbours’ gardens and how you can fix them.
Types of problems caused by a neighbour’s overgrown garden
Pests from the neighbour’s garden
Neglected gardens can become breeding grounds for pests, such as rodents, insects, or other wildlife, which may affect your property in more ways than one. The excess noise, droppings, and property damage caused by animals like rats or foxes can be stressful and expensive to deal with.
What you can do:
- Council advice: Contact your local environmental health team, especially if vermin are present. Councils are responsible for investigating public health risks caused by infestations.
- Relevant acts: Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, if a garden causes a statutory nuisance, the council can take action.
- What the council can do: They may issue an abatement notice requiring the property owner to take action to remove the nuisance.
- What you can do to stay within the law: Avoid setting traps or poisons close to boundary lines, and keep your garden clean to avoid attracting more pests.
Neighbour’s rubbish and fly-tipping
Whether it’s an old car being fixed up on your neighbour’s driveway or a weather-beaten couch dumped near your fence, unsightly rubbish can be more than just an eyesore. It may pose a health risk or encourage further illegal dumping.
What you can do:
- Council advice: Report the issue via your council’s website. Many have a dedicated fly-tipping or anti-social behaviour team.
- Relevant acts: The Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 allows councils to remove abandoned vehicles and waste.
- What the council can do: Councils can fine or prosecute individuals responsible for persistent or hazardous dumping.
- What you can do to stay within the law: Never move rubbish onto your neighbour’s land. Always report it via the proper channels.
Overgrown weeds, grass and bushes
Overgrown foliage can cause a disruption in more ways than one. Whether your neighbour’s hedges are obstructing gutters or water channels, this could lead to drainage issues and potential water damage.
There may be health implications, too, particularly if anyone in your household has pollen allergies or other respiratory problems.
What you can do:
- Council advice: Councils don’t usually intervene unless the overgrowth is causing a public hazard (like blocking a pavement).
- Relevant acts: If plants encroach over your boundary, common law gives you the right to cut them back — but only up to the boundary line.
- What the council can do: If plants are obstructing public access, the council may step in and issue a notice.
- What you can do to stay within the law: You can trim back branches or growth that hangs into your garden, but you must not enter your neighbour’s land or damage the plant. Legally, you should offer the cuttings back, although most neighbours will tell you to dispose of them.
Overhanging trees
Tall trees or overgrown hedges can block natural sunlight from reaching your property, reducing the amount of light in your home or garden.
Overgrown tree branches may encroach on your property, lead to boundary disputes, and reduce your privacy.
What you can do:
- Council advice: Trees subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) must not be pruned or removed without council permission.
- Relevant acts: The High Hedges Act 2005 can apply if a hedge is over two metres tall and affects your enjoyment of your home.
- What the council can do: If a hedge meets the criteria, the council can investigate and serve a notice for reduction.
- What you can do to stay within the law: Trim overhanging branches back to the boundary, but check for TPOs first. If unsure, consult your local planning authority.
What to do if you’re selling your house?
An unkempt garden can decrease the value of your property and affect its sale potential. This is particularly true if it’s encroaching on your front garden, as it can affect your all-important kerb appeal, making the property look less appealing to prospective buyers.
If you’ve had no luck speaking to your neighbours about the issue, it may be worth coming up with a response to it if your viewers ask. Always focus on the positives — perhaps your neighbours are perfectly nice but aren’t naturally green-fingered? Speak to your agent about how you can approach this.
Looking to move?
Ellis & Co can help. Whether you’re ready to sell or still exploring your options, our experienced agents can offer practical advice, accurate valuations, and local knowledge to help you move forward with confidence.
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