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The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Four home improvements that could result in fines up to €5,000 as major warning issued
IRISH homeowners are being warned about four property improvements that could result in fines up to €5,000. People risk serious fines and even jail time if they get these renovation rules wrong. Advertisement 1 A major warning has been issued to Irish homeowners renovating Credit: Getty Images - Getty The insurance company Quote Devil has revealed that unauthorised home improvements could land homeowners with fines of up to €5,000. Many people plan to renovate during spring and And insurance bosses have warned of little-known projects that need approval. Failing to get Advertisement READ MORE IN MONEY In the most serious cases, fines can reach up to a whopping €10million - and you might be forced to undo the work completely. To start, building a porch less than two metres from a road or larger than two square metres requires permission. Under Irish law, porches have height limits - they can't be taller than four metres if pitched or three metres for other roof types. Up next, front fences or gates taller than two metres also need approval and side or rear fences can't exceed this height either. Advertisement MOST READ IN MONEY Concrete walls visible to the public must be rendered, and metal palisade or What's more, changing your garden's ground level by more than one metre needs planning permission. I'm an Irish lad who bought my first home at 19 - I cut back on drinking and worked weekends to afford it Unknown to many homeowners, this includes creating ponds, drains or raising patios. And lastly, Improper disposal of construction waste can land you a fine starting at €1,500 under the Waste Management Act, 1996. Advertisement Dumping or collecting waste without a license can also lead to severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison for serious offenses. Using skips without the proper permits is another common renovation tactic that could lead to fines or penalties. Skips must also have reflective markings at least 150mm high, not be overloaded and be removed within 24 hours of filling. 'Serious legal consequences' And missing these rules could cost you a fine of up to €1,000. Advertisement Ian O'Reilly from Quote Devil advises He said: 'Many homeowners are unaware that even minor home improvements can carry serious legal consequences if planning rules aren't followed. 'To avoid costly penalties, always check with your local planning authority before making structural changes to your home or any building. "A quick consultation can save you thousands and ensure your project is compliant with the law. Advertisement 'Failing to follow planning regulations doesn't just result in fines, it can also affect your home insurance. "Many insurers require homeowners to meet all legal requirements when making property changes. "If unauthorised work leads to damage or legal issues, your insurance provider may refuse to cover claims, leaving you to pay out of pocket. "Always notify your insurer before making modifications to ensure you remain fully protected.' Advertisement
Extra.ie
21-04-2025
- General
- Extra.ie
The home renovation errors which could land you with a huge fine
Spring and summer are the best times to get stuck into any home improvements that you may want to do, but homeowners are advised that unauthorised renovations could land you with hefty fines of up to €10,000. There are many aspects to consider when doing up your home, along with a number of rules and regulations in place for safety purposes. As well as large fines if you are caught ignoring regulations, it could also have an impact on your home insurance coverage. Spring and summer are the best times to get stuck into any home improvements that you may want to do, but homeowners are advised that unauthorised renovations could land you with hefty fines of up to €10,000. Pic: Getty Images Quote Devil states that failure to adhere to planning permission could result in a €5,000 fine and six months ' imprisonment. These penalties are under the Planning and Development Act with fines of up to €10,000. It is a possibility that an enforcement notice could also be sent requiring the work to be undone. Planning permission is required by a homeowner if they are planning on building a fence at the front of the property which is more than two metres high. These penalties are under the Planning and Development Act would fines of up to €10,000,000. It is a possibility that an enforcement notice could also be sent requiring the work to be undone. Pic: Getty Images You will also need to seek permission if you plan on building a porch less than two metres from the road. The porch height cannot exceed four metres for a pitched roof of three for any other type of roof. It's also the case for plans to construct paths, drains or ponds that are more than a metre above or below the level of the adjoining ground. Under the Waste Management Act 1996, it is illegal to dispose of construction waste without a proper license. In Dublin, a permit is required if a skin is being put on a public road. Pic: Getty Images Those caught dumping or collecting waste without the necessary permission could face fines of up to €1,500 which could increase to €10,000,000 or 10 years imprisonment in extreme cases. It is also advisable to check with your local council for their regulations regarding skips as most councils require skip permits. In Dublin, a permit is required if a skip is being put on a public road. Quote Devil's Ian O'Reilly noted that 'many homeowners are unaware that even minor home improvements can carry serious legal consequences if rules aren't followed.' He said: 'To avoid costly penalties, always check with your local planning authority before making structural changes to your home or any building.'
