Untidy back yard - private house, what can coucil do?

Oddjob

I have to admit my back yard is untidy. I'm not in the best of health and it got a bit too much for me, it got over run with ivy. I've got rid of a lot of it but it is still untidy. I used to sell plants and there are a lot of plant trays - plastic and polystyrene - plant pots and old wood in the yard. No domestic waste and nothing hazardous. My neighbour has been complaining of seeing rats coming from my yard. Whilst I was clearing the ivy, I saw no evidence whatsoever of rats living in my yard and there is no food as such for them. There is an empty house three doors down sharing the same rear entry. believe the rats could be coming from there and just using my yard to travel through. Next door's children often take food into their yard.
My yard is the last of the row. Next door's yard goes out onto the street so no one has to pass it to get anywhere. The only house that can see it from a window is next door and then only from one upstairs window.
They have complained to the council and so has their landlord I believe.
I have had a notice from the PCSO's to say I have to clear it up otherwise action will be taken. When I spoke to the PCSO and said it was a private house owned by myself, they weren't sure if or what action could actually be taken.
I am going to clear it up a bit at a time as I can do it but does anyone actually know the legal situation regarding this please? As I said at the beginning, its not hazardous, only plastic, polystyrene and wood, plus overgrown ivy.
TIA

System

The council can clear it up and charge you ,that's what they did to someone I know. They gave him notice to sort it by a certain date if not they would do it . He failed to sort it and was landed with a fairly hefty bill.

amersall

That happened to a friend of mine too, I would get it done.

Southend1

Surely if it's your yard you can keep it how you like it as long as it isn't dangerous to others

Mojisola

Oddjob wrote: »

I have to admit my back yard is untidy. I'm not in the best of health and it got a bit too much for me, it got over run with ivy. I've got rid of a lot of it but it is still untidy.

Most areas have some charitable groups who will do gardening/DIY jobs for a reduced rate for people who struggle with health/disability/age problems.

If you can't find such a group, are there any teenagers/active retired in the area who would do a few hours work clearing it for you. There's usually someone who would like some extra cash.

It will be very expensive if the council send their workers in to do the job.

wallbash

It will be very expensive if the council send their workers in to do the job.

That won't be in a rush, would expect letter after letter, increasing threats BUT little action. But as its private land, not really a health hazard ( rats are found everywhere) I would not be too concerned.

BUT

nd there are a lot of plant trays - plastic and polystyrene

They can't weigh anything , stop finding excuses and pick a few up .

it got over run with ivy.

Buy some Ivy killer, at least it would show willing.

Oddjob

Southend1 wrote: »

Surely if it's your yard you can keep it how you like it as long as it isn't dangerous to others

That is my thinking, I don't see how the council can make anyone clear their yard/garden up if its their own property. Its not even as if its seen from the street and making the street look untidy. There is nothing hazardous in it. No domestic waste, no chemicals etc.
Tidiness is a matter of opinion too. I am tidying it up a little at a time. I don't get much time and am not in the best of health so can only do a bit at a time.

Oddjob

Mojisola wrote: »

Most areas have some charitable groups who will do gardening/DIY jobs for a reduced rate for people who struggle with health/disability/age problems.

If you can't find such a group, are there any teenagers/active retired in the area who would do a few hours work clearing it for you. There's usually someone who would like some extra cash.

It will be very expensive if the council send their workers in to do the job.

I'm self employed and can't afford to pay anyone to do it for me unfortunately.

Davesnave

Oddjob wrote: »

I have had a notice from the PCSO's to say I have to clear it up otherwise action will be taken. When I spoke to the PCSO and said it was a private house owned by myself, they weren't sure if or what action could actually be taken.

TIA

First of all, this has very little to do with the police, so I'm not surprised they have no idea about enforcement. Is the 'notice' you received an official one, or just something written on a bit of police paper by an over zealous person?

If you were creating a nuisance or health hazard, it would be a matter for the council's Environmental Health department, and they would need to give you warning, in writing, long before taking any action. You would almost certainly be visited by their officers too. If you were in really bad health, they might put you in contact with the volunteers Mojisola mentioned. One hopes so, anyway.

There may be no rats. People know that if they complain of having seen rats, council officials take more notice, and it's impossible to prove they didn't.

I'm sure nothing will happen in the short term, but in the interests of good neighbourliness, if it was me, I'd be tidying-up methodically over a period of time now as the weather improves.

System

I believe it comes under Environmental health dept and they can and do enforce clean up of private properties in my area.

Cash-Cows

Oddjob wrote: »

That is my thinking, I don't see how the council can make anyone clear their yard/garden up if its their own property. Its not even as if its seen from the street and making the street look untidy. There is nothing hazardous in it. No domestic waste, no chemicals etc.
Tidiness is a matter of opinion too. I am tidying it up a little at a time. I don't get much time and am not in the best of health so can only do a bit at a time.

It depends what is in the garden and what problems it causes. If stuff is causing a rat problem or waste materials are rotting causing risk to health then the council can exercise environmental powers to manage the problem.

The council can if the garden is just untidy issue a section 215 notice under the town and country planning act if the garden is detracting from the general amenity of the area.