EXPERTS have revealed the five little-known gardening mistakes that could result in a fine or even jail time.
While most people are sprucing up their green spaces for summer and decent weather, there are a number of laws in place that they may be accidentally breaking by doing so.
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And now, Compare the Market’s home insurance team has put together a list of the most commonly broken gardening laws and their potential penalties.
First, the cultivation of Japanese Knotweed.
This fast-growing invasive plant is notoriously difficult to get rid of.
Although it is not illegal to have Japanese Knotweed on private property, planting it or allowing it to grow in the wild is an offense under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
In fact, you could face fines of up to £5,000 if you allow Japanese Knotweed to spread in natural areas.
Furthermore, “if contaminated soil or plant material from any waste shipment leads to the spread of Japanese Knotweed in the wild, UK residents could face a prison sentence of up to two years.”
A similar situation can occur if you grow any non-native plant species.
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, a resident can receive an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison if – accidentally or intentionally – they introduce plants where they do not belong.
This is because this type of plant can end up having a negative impact on the ecosystem.
The final offense is using a hose in the garden during the hose ban.
If there is a ban in place and you are found to be using your hose unnecessarily, you could face a fine of up to £1,000.
However, there are some exceptions – such as watering a newly planted lawn within the last 28 days.
You should also be careful when erecting excessively high fences and hedges.
Under the Anti-Social Behavior Act 2003, you could be fined £1,000 if your local authority issues a notice to you to reduce the height of your fence or hedge – prompted by a neighbor’s complaint.
To keep your neighbors happy, it’s also worth keeping noise in your garden to a minimum.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 states that noise is a statutory nuisance if it “unreasonably and substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of a house or other premises”.
If a complaint is made, the council can issue a notice to stop or reduce the noise.
Gardening Tips and Tricks
If the warning is ignored and the noise continues, fines of £110 for residential homes and £500 for licensed premises can be issued, which rises to £1,000 if not paid within 14 days.
Anna McEntee from the Home Insurance team at Compare the marketcommented: “Before you start working in your garden this summer, make sure you check all the regulations involved in the work you are carrying out.
“You can find more information about government websitesor contact your local planning authority.
“Home insurance policies often include coverage for structures such as sheds, fences and decks, but changes to these structures can affect coverage. Be sure to review the terms of your policy to understand what is covered and check exclusions and conditions.
“If you are planning to make significant changes to your garden, inform your insurer to ensure your policy still meets your needs.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
