Garden error could end up costing homeowners fines of up to £1k this summer
A lot of Brits take advantage of the warmer weather to get on top of garden maintenance. However, they could be face fines of up to £1,000 for one error.
With scores of homeowners taking advantage of the warmer weather to get on top of garden upkeep and DIY projects, many are unaware that they could be facing fines of up to £1,000 for a straightforward garden blunder.
Under the Noise Act 1996, night hours are legally defined as 11pm to 7am, meaning excessive noise during these times could lead to complaints from neighbours.
Homeowners could even risk a fixed penalty notice or prosecution, with fines of up to £1,000.
In some cases, local authorities also have the power to confiscate noise-making equipment if the disturbance continues.
The warning comes as fresh research from Redrow reveals that noisy DIY or gardening work ranks amongst the most significant neighbourhood irritations for more than a quarter of homeowners (26%) – with many complaining about the issue online.
To assist homeowners in avoiding unnecessary disputes this summer, Redrow has outlined some essential neighbourly etiquette guidelines:
- Choose the right time: Avoid carrying out noisy gardening or DIY work early in the morning, late in the evening or during the legally defined night hours of 11pm to 7am.
- Keep shared spaces tidy: Dispose of garden waste responsibly and avoid leaving cuttings or materials where they could
- Give neighbours a heads-up: If you're planning particularly noisy work, a quick conversation beforehand can go a long way in maintaining good relations.
Should tensions emerge, psychotherapist Zara Kadir recommends keeping conversations calm and constructive.
"It's good to stay calm and address things as and when they arise, as opposed to one day erupting with a back-catalogue of misdemeanours," she said.
"Think about what you want the goal to be before you begin. Then, you need to share the goal with the other person involved, which could sound like 'there's something I've been wanting to address and I hope that we can reach a point of mutual understanding'.
"When we start with attacking and accusatory statements such as 'you always' or 'you never', then the other party will automatically find themselves in a position of defence. I often talk about describing how you feel, instead of what the other person did."
How you can keep noise to a minimum in your garden
As DIY and gardening work is among the biggest neighbourhood irritations, here are some tips for keeping the noise down in your garden.
1. Build solid boundaries
- Acoustic fencing: Standard slatted fences allow noise to pass through. Upgrade to Acoustic Fencing made of thick, interlocking tongue-and-groove timber, which can significantly reduce perceived noise.
- Masonry walls: Brick or concrete walls are highly effective, as the dense material absorbs and heavily deflects sound waves.
- Seal gaps: Ensure there are no gaps between the ground and fence panels, and opt for a solid wooden gate instead of metal or chain-link.
2. Plant living sound barriers
- Multi-layered planting: Combine trees, dense shrubs, and groundcover to create a thick barrier.
- Evergreens: Use dense varieties like Leyland cypress, Juniper, or Arborvitae for year-round noise and privacy protection.
- Ornamental grasses: Tall, clumping bamboo (select clumping varieties so they don't spread invasively) can also help dampen street noise
3. Mask the noise
If you cannot fully block a noise, you can alter your garden's soundscape using a method called sound masking.
- Water features: The constant trickle or splash of a water feature—such as a tiered fountain or a bubbling rock—adds natural white noise that masks low-frequency traffic hum or chatty neighbours.
- Rustling plants: Certain plants, like ornamental grasses or broad-leafed trees, create calming, natural sounds when the wind blows, covering up harsher urban noises.
