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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
Irish Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish gardeners could be breaking the law without even realising it
Summer is just around the corner, and with the warmer weather Ireland has been enjoying lately, many people will be looking forward to spending more time outdoors and tending to their gardens. However, before you get too comfortable, it's important to be aware that not all plants in your garden are harmless - and some could even land you in legal trouble. One of the most problematic invaders is Japanese knotweed, a fast-growing, non-native weed that many gardeners might unknowingly have on their property. This plant isn't just a nuisance - it's illegal to plant, spread or allow to grow under Irish law. If found, it must be controlled and eradicated immediately to avoid legal consequences. Under Regulation 49 (2) "any person who plants, disperses, allows or causes to disperse, spreads or otherwise causes to grow Japanese knotweed or any of the other invasive plants listed in the Third Schedule of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011) shall be guilty of an offence". Japanese knotweed is a fast-growing green shrub that can quickly take over gardens, forming dense thickets during the summer months. According to Ireland's National Biodiversity Data Centre, it can reach up to three metres in height and is often mistaken for bamboo due to its hollow, jointed stems. In early spring, the plant begins to emerge with small red buds that develop into shoots shaped like asparagus tips. As it grows, the stems become green with noticeable red or purple flecks, while the leaves are lush green and arranged in a distinctive zig-zag pattern along the stems. By late summer, clusters of small creamy-white flowers appear, making the plant even more recognisable. Come winter, the visible parts of the plant die back, leaving behind brown, cane-like dead stems that may still carry browned flower remnants. Beneath the surface, Japanese knotweed has an aggressive root system made up of rhizomes - underground stems with an orange centre that snap cleanly like a carrot when bent. These roots are capable of spreading quickly and regenerating even from small fragments, making the plant especially difficult to remove. According to experts from insurance comparison website Quote Devil, the presence of the weed can cause issues if you are selling or buying a property, and can cause thousands of euros in repair costs. Spokesperson Conor Mulcahy said: "Japanese knotweed can have devastating effects. The roots can interfere with drainage pipes and other structures, blocking and sometimes lifting pipework. A house's underground infrastructure is also at risk which can cost thousands of euros in repairs. "Japanese knotweed damage is not often covered by home insurance policies and if you look to sell your home in the future this could cause huge problems as it could put off potential buyers. It can also affect your ability to get a mortgage on a new home if there's evidence of Japanese knotweed on the property. "The first sign of Japanese knotweed tends to appear in spring, when the plant grows and shows clear signs of its presence which is why you should start to look for signs over the next few months to see if you have this pesky plant on your property. "It's important to keep an eye out for this plant as early as possible, as the more it sets in, the harder it is for experts to effectively remove as it grows and spreads rapidly." 1. Red and purple shoots that look like asparagus The plant's shoots are red or purple in colour and resemble asparagus coming out from the ground. Shoots of the plant tend to appear in April and May when the ground thaws, allowing the dormant plant to grow (and fast). If you spot growth over a small number of days this can be a telling sign. 2. Heart-shaped leaves The leaves of a Japanese knotweed are shaped like love hearts which can make them easily identifiable. Colour-wise they are a lush green with reddish veins and can be as tall as 20cm in length. The leaves always grow on alternative sides and have a distinctive zig-zag pattern. 3. Clusters of small white flowers In the warmer months of summer, the Japanese knotweed plant bears creamy clusters of white flowers that are small in size. If you spot these, this is bad news as it means the plant has established itself quite strongly, making it difficult to remove. 4. Bamboo-like stems The stems of a Japanese knotweed plant once grown out of the ground are speckled with flecks of purple. The mature stems are often mistaken for bamboo as they are hollow and become dry and brittle in winter. 5. Brown rhizome roots If you spot rhizome roots on your property this could be a huge issue. Japanese knotweed has brown roots that are orange and yellow on the inside and these hardy rhizome roots are very difficult to remove. It's easily snapped which can cause it to spread without the proper treatment. The root system, if not treated correctly, can shock the plant in a dormant state making it harder for even an expert to kill. If you suspect Japanese knotweed on your property, it's important to seek professional advice for safe removal and control. By doing nothing, it could be considered an offence by allowing it to be dispersed or spread. Early treatment not only helps avoid legal trouble, but also prevents more costly and difficult removal down the line. For more information, see Ireland's National Biodiversity Data Centre's Japanese knotweed information sheet here.
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.'
