From overgrown hedges to stinking dog poo, your neighbour's messy garden can be not only an eyesore but also a health hazard. When it comes to whose responsibility it is to maintain and tidy a garden, the burden falls to the owner (and sometimes the tenant if stipulated in the tenancy). That being said, there are times when neighbours have cause to complain about messy outdoor spaces and local councils can take action.
For instance, Folkestone & Hythe district council took one woman to court in 2023 and fined her over £1000 for having a messy garden filled with dog poo and rubbish. The council said that the woman had been issued with several warnings and a community order. However, her inaction led to an "unpleasant odour" wafting around which affected those living in the nearby area.
Councils often receive complaints from locals who are reporting untidy gardens that range from unsightly to environmental crimes like fly-tipping. An unkept garden on its own is not enough to take action against a neighbour and there are certain things you simply cannot do that would contravene the law. Can I complain about my neighbour's messy garden? You can make a complaint about someone's unkept garden via your local council website.
In most cases, you will be asked to complete a form. Some allow you to submit the report anonymously whilst others require you to fill in your details so that they can contact you about the report. Beyond making a report to the council, you should not take any .