Complaints about my garden - am I required by law to keep it tidy?

kungfuman

I live in a semi detached house and in the past year or so, due to work commitments abroad, I've not been able to keep my garden tidy. The grass hasnt been cut in over a year:embarasse. It doesnt look good but my plan is in the next year or so is to pave the front for additional parking.

Anyway, as i was getting out of my car today, a neighbour a few doors down whose never spoken to me before said to me quite angrily 'you need to do something about your garden before I put in a complaint'. I was quite shocked and before I got a word in he stormed off. Anyway this has cheesed me off as a few other neighbours were out and heard this and he should of chosen to have a quiet word with me.

I'm just wondering is there anything legally that states I am required to keep my garden maintained and tidy. I own the property which is in Scotland if that makes a difference

Gloomendoom

I wouldn't worry. It would take a few more people to complain than just him before any action is taken.

I do remember a story about a chap in London that got several months jail and a massive fine for ignoring a court order to tidy his garden.

I own the property which is in Scotland if that makes a difference

That is reassuring... it's along way from me.

CouponWoman

I don't know about legally but is it good idea to leave your garden in a mess.

Burglars might find it more interesting if the house looks empty all the time, especially as you are abroad a lot. Whereas a tidy garden looks occupied, an unkempt garden might imply the house is unoccupied and a burglard might break in looking for a boiler or something to pinch.

Why not get a gardener to give it a quick tidy up for you, if you don't have time to do it yourself.

ormus

afaik there is no law in england about tidy gardens. (private houses).
i think the chap in london, had a scrap yard in his garden and it was a haven for rats.
but as for pure vegetation growth, there is no law.

councils have a different view with tenants. its agin the terms of the lease to have a garden mess. they can (and will) make you tidy it up.
they have been known to do it themselves, and send you a bill.
private landlords may also have similar terms in their leases.

mjm3346

Don't know about Scotland but this can be used in England and it is not restricted to being used just against piles of rubbish


http://www.seered.co.uk/sec215_best_practice.pdf

Section 215 (s215) of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (the Act) provides a
local planning authority (LPA) with the power, in certain circumstances, to take
steps requiring land to be cleaned up when its condition adversely affects the amenity of the area.

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/news/Shame-neighbours-hell/article-1236238-detail/article.html

Typical examples where the council may be able to take action include houses where the owners have accumulated large amounts of rubbish and other items in their garden, or where they have allowed their garden to become overgrown over a long period of time.

gratefulforhelp_2

kungfuman wrote: »

I live in a semi detached house and in the past year or so, due to work commitments abroad, I've not been able to keep my garden tidy. The grass hasnt been cut in over a year:embarasse. It doesnt look good but my plan is in the next year or so is to pave the front for additional parking.

Anyway, as i was getting out of my car today, a neighbour a few doors down whose never spoken to me before said to me quite angrily 'you need to do something about your garden before I put in a complaint'. I was quite shocked and before I got a word in he stormed off. Anyway this has cheesed me off as a few other neighbours were out and heard this and he should of chosen to have a quiet word with me.

I'm just wondering is there anything legally that states I am required to keep my garden maintained and tidy. I own the property which is in Scotland if that makes a difference

But aren't you just growing a wild flower garden to encourage beneficial wildlife as part of your "green" agenda?

What's illegal about that and who's he gonna complain to??

Plasterer

Errrr, why don't you just tidy your garden up?

Hector-The-Inspector_2

When you bought your house you buy with the burdens, (part of the titles) I would be very surprised if the burdens don't mention the maintenance of your garden ground. Action can be taken but it's usually a long drawn process.


Working abroad or not is no excuse!

kungfuman

Plasterer wrote: »

Errrr, why don't you just tidy your garden up?

I was planning to pave the front garden so it'll be wasted time if I do it now or pay someone to do it. I think it'll take a couple of days hard grafting to get it sorted. Might as well hold off until I get the driveway extended

ormus

theres no law agin garden gnomes!

Debt_Free_Dreamer

What about squatters if you house looks un-lived in, you might find youself with some moving in.