Warning that gardeners are risking huge £5,000 fines for mowing their lawns this weekend during certain hours

The Sun

4 days ago

GARDENERS have been warned not to mow their lawns during certain hours this weekend to avoid paying a hefty fine.
Anyone caught with a lawn mower risks forking out a whopping £5,000.
Brits could be set to enjoy temperatures as high as 26C this weekend as "Iberian heat" rolls in alongside glorious sunshine.
Many would be tempted to make the best out of the weather and tend to their gardens.
Regularly giving your lawn a fresh cut helps to promote healthy growth, prevent stress on the grass, and improve air circulation.
However, you have to be wary what time of the day you bring out your lawn mower out of the shed.
Although there is no law stopping you from mowing your lawn during certain hours, you could get in trouble with your local council.
They could issue a Noise Abatement Notice if you create noise disturbance during the prohibited hours.
On weekdays, it is normally accepted to make noise between 8am and 8pm.
However, on weekends, people have been advised to keep it quiet before 9am and after 7pm.
East Coast Fencing says: 'Most people naturally opt for weekends to complete household and garden chores, including mowing the lawn.
'However, weekends are also when noise complaints tend to rise as families aim to relax or catch up on sleep.
'To prevent frustrations, pay extra attention to the timing of your mowing on Saturdays and Sundays.'
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Those who don't abide by the rules could get fined for up to £5,000 for disturbance during unsociable hours.
Daniel McAfee, Head of Legal Operations at Lawhive, told Express: 'Non-compliance with an abatement notice can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000 for domestic premises.
'This is not an empty threat - these fines are real, and local authorities do enforce them.'
Luckily, experts have revealed that mowing too early can cause damage to your grass by exposing it to disease and fungal infections.
The expert shared that in spring the best time to mow your lawn is between 9 am and 11 am.
Gardening mistakes that could get you fined
Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking.
While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues.
Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research.
The gardening experts reveal: 'If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. "
While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it.
'But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn.
The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO.
You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer.
Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing.
To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries
'Most of the time, it's easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side," they add.
'Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance.
"Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height.
"Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn't have a problem.'
Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade.
But if it obstructs your neighbour's view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures.
'If you're not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you're planning and, if there's an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance," advise the gardening experts.
Overhanging branches and plants: 'When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour's tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance," reveal the pros.
However, it's important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing.
You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don't have permission to enter your neighbours garden.