We have powers to deal with untidy gardens or land where there is material which can rot and cause a nuisance to neighbours or attract rats or mice. We will also act where there are materials which are unsightly but unlikely to cause a statutory nuisance.

Report it

You can help us keep the borough looking clean and tidy by reporting untidy or eyesore gardens.

If you've made a report previously you can check the progress of your report

The enforcement process for an eyesore garden can take up to 6 months to fully investigate and resolve. We cannot provide updates on the process due to data protection rules.

Enforcement

Our enforcement patrols are also out in the borough identifying homes with untidy gardens. Residents with untidy gardens will initially be issued with a warning letter that will require them to clear and tidy their garden within a specific period of time.

Failure to comply with the letter will result in us issuing a community protection notice under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Failure to comply with the notice may result in a £100 fixed penalty notice (FPN) being issued to the owner/occupier of the land. Failure to pay the FPN will result in prosecution and owners can face fines of up to £2,500.

We will charge for all reasonable costs incurred to those properties where enforcement action is taken.