Garden hedge owners have been alerted to a lesser-known law that could lead to council visits and fines.
Sean Bunyan, Head of Commercial Operations at home improvement specialists Eurocell, explains that this is embedded in the Anti-Social Behavior Act 2003, which many might not realise impacts them, reports Birmingham Live.
Sean broke it down: “Part 8 of the act declares that it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to keep their hedges maintained.
“If a neighbour has an issue then they can complain to the local authority.”
He further elaborated: “As part of that process, if the local authority finds that the complainant’s property has been negatively impacted by the tall hedge, they can issue a formal notice and a fine of up to £1,000.”
Garden owners throughout the UK must also heed the “legal limits for height”. The current maximum is two metres, or 6’6. A higher fence may be acceptable, but this would require planning permission, Sean cautions.
You usually don’t need to ask if you want to plant a hedge in your garden. There are no rules about how tall your hedge can grow.
But if you have a hedge, you must take care of it and make sure it doesn’t bother anyone else.
The Government website advises: “If you are troubled by someone else’s hedge, the best way to deal with the issue is to talk to them about it.
“Calling in the council or going to court, especially without first approaching your neighbour yourself, might make matters worse. It is in both your interests to try and sort things out.
“After all, you have to continue to live near each other and so it’s better if you are on good terms.”
If you are looking for tools to trim your hedge, the Magnusson Standard Straight Hedge Shears from B&Q cost £18.
People who bought them say they are “good quality” and “worth the price”.
Bulldog Wavy Blade Hedge Shears cost £13.58 from Toolstation.