Garden crimes

Time to turn over a new leaf? GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk outdoor experts have revealed common criminal offences green-fingered folk might be unwittingly committing and how to avoid them.

Theft

Keeping and eating windfallen fruit, or stocking up on leaves, twigs and branches from neighbours’ trees, perhaps for firewood, could be considered theft.

Always seek permission before retaining items that are technically possessions of another gardener.

Fly tipping

Don’t just throw garden fruit, twigs or trimmings straight back over the garden fence, as this could be viewed as garden waste fly tipping.

Even scooping up cat droppings which you suspect belong to a neighbour’s pet and tossing them back to where you think they belong could be interpreted as illegal disposal of waste. Trespass

Leaning into a neighbour’s garden to trim overhanging trees or plants – or for any other purpose – could be interpreted as trespassing, even if there are no physical barriers to cross.

Consider knocking on your neighbour’s door or leaving a polite note if garden maintenance is required on their land.

Blocking light

When put into practice, the ancient right to light law means that if a window has received natural daylight for two decades or more, the owner of that building is entitled to forbid any obstruction to their illumination.

This means your neighbour could order you to tear down your new shed, tree or anything else in your garden if it blocks the sun reaching their windows, so it’s important to think carefully and possibly seek permission if a new garden building or feature is at risk of blocking next door’s daylight.

Pollution

Using noisy, mechanical garden equipment such as powered lawnmowers, chainsaws or even heating a hot tub could also leave you in legal hot water if you produce too many decibels for next door’s liking.

Gardeners could also be running a real risk of illegally pollution the air if they burn rubbish in their backyards or have a barbecue or bonfire that is too smoky.

Snooping

Your children might not be little 007s, but if they love to jump up and down on a trampoline in the garden then they could be subject to complaints of intruding into the neighbours’ privacy.

Similar accusations could be levelled at anyone tempted to peek into next door’s home when climbing a ladder to clean the windows or when trimming a tree, so anyone rising above the height of backyard fences or hedges should be reminded of an individual’s important right to privacy.

Vandalism

Painting a fence that doesn’t belong to you could be considered minor vandalism, so it’s important to check the property deeds or land registry if you’re not sure.

Attaching a washing line, garden hose or hanging basket to a neighbour’s outside wall could also potentially damage their property and may leave home owners in a spot of bother if they haven’t expressly sought permission beforehand.