Abonded House Next Door, Garden Out of Control. Who to Call?

adzy77

Ok, so we moved into our home just over a month ago and found out in that time that one of our neighbours has gone to visit/live with family and she has that much money that she doesnt care about the house just sitting empty. Apparently shes only been back once or twice in the past few years.

Anyway, the garden is an absolute mess, its like a wild field, stupidly overgrown with weeds and nettles and just isnt nice at all. God knows what kind of animals are living in it.

Who can i call to report this? Would it be the council or environmental agency?

Is anyone likely to do anything about it?

If it wasnt so wild, id try to sort it myself but its a job for some machines i think rather than by hand and will probably take a couple of full days

CLAPTON

local council has powers to deal with neglected property

G_M

1) Pay £3 to Land Registry to find owner.

2) If a health hazzard, call Environmental Health.

3) If empty for years, contact the Empty Properties Oficer at council eg

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/housing/private-sector-housing/empty-properties/?page=2830

AnnieO1234

Is it causing any problems other than an eyesore? I assume you must've seen some evidence it was unkempt when you were buying? Could you upload a picture to share?

The council will only get involved if there is a true hazard being created. An overgrown hedgerow blocking a footpath will result in council workmen dealing with the problem and leaving the property owner a hefty bill.

Xx

dinofabio

lots of people let a garden overgrow - even when they live there!

Unless there is some sort of environmental or health & safety issue, I can't see the council stepping in, but I suppose a call wouldn't do any harm.

dinofabio

you could always take a mower to it - mind you don't mince the hedgehogs though!

Old_Git

buy some weed killer job done for another year

Thrugelmir

adzy77 wrote: »

God knows what kind of animals are living in it.

Being the UK nothing exotic I'm afraid to say. All will be totally harmless to you.

notisis

I live next door to similar. Elderly gentleman has garden cleared every 2 to 3 years and thistle spores end up in our lawn. Pain to dig out each time but on the plus side it's very quiet. No noisy barbeques or children and plenty of bees, butterflies, birds etc. Not an issue for me and dread to think who we might end up living next door to when he eventually goes. He doesn't want help with clearing the garden (front/back) but is ok with keeping an eye on him and taking bins in/out.

G_M

May people pay a premium to buy properties adjacent to woodland. Or fields. Or similar wild land.

Wild animals? :rotfl:

specialboy

You have only been there a month or so and are moaning about their garden, surely you saw the state it was in when you viewed. Believe it or not animals have to live somewhere too, they were there long before the houses.