Neighbour not maintaining their garden!

pstones578

Related to property prices I think but if someone could suggest a better forum for this query then please do. Basically my next door neighbour isn't keeping his garden tidy, both front and rear, and it's got me wondering what impact this will have when we come to sell. His garden messes with the whole look of the close I live on and I'm wondering if he's actually obliged to do something about it rather than living like a cave-man like he does.

PROFESSIONAL_LANDLORD

You could contact council ! they would probably write to him, I received a letter around a year ago regarding un cut grass in an empty property which was under re-furb ! BUT it could fall on deaf ears, and could make matters worse .

You could tell the Idiot that you love gardening and offer to tidy his up , not the ideal situation but it's important to market your property properly.

TJ27

If councils can serve a notice, it's so much better than just writing a letter but I don't know of any notices which might apply in this case. Letters sometimes work but it's rare.

If waste is harbouring rats, something can be done under S4 of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act. This generally applies to piles of black bags, and perhaps old sofas, but not to overgrown gardens.

If something is REALLY an eyesore (and I think this might apply from the street, so not to a back garden) then there are planning laws which are enforceable.

I don't think you'll get very far with the council but it might be worth a try I suppose.

I would agree that the best solution might actually be to offer to tidy it up yourself. Annoying, but if it helps to sell the house it'll be worth it.

Doozergirl

I used to mow next doors front lawn as well as our own. They'd return the compliment, but who is going to complain if you cut their grass?

Obviously depends on how his garden is laid out. I don't know whether planting out the borders would be taking things too far!

It will impact on your sale, how much I don't know We've been known to paint the outside of neighbours houses when selling!

peter999

pstones578 wrote: »

Basically my next door neighbour isn't keeping his garden tidy, both front and rear,

Please explain ??

-overgrown grass
-builders yard
-dumped cars
-rubbish strewn

Or are you a busybody ??

peter999

blue_haddock

Surely it's his garden and he can do what he likes with it?

TJ27

blue_haddock wrote: »

Surely it's his garden and he can do what he likes with it?

Not quite. But you're right to a certain extent and if it's just overgrown there might be very little the OP can do.

In the past I have been called out to houses following complaints from neighbours that the garden is, "knee deep in rubbish." I arrive to find a few crisp wrappers blown onto the fence or something. So there are certainly plenty of busybodies out there.

An untidy garden wouldn't bother me too much to be honest. But to some people it's a big issue. It's very rarely worth it to fall out with your neighbours over something like this. Try to solve it amicably and perhaps mow his lawn until you're out of there.

peter999

If it's a disaster area, there are probably other social issues involved
& you might get a mouthful if you stick your nose in.

peter999

titewad_2

blue_haddock wrote: »

Surely it's his garden and he can do what he likes with it?

Just wondering, if your next door neighbours yard resembled that of "Steptoe and Son" and was impacting on your house value would you still have the same sentiment??