9 Ways Your Home Might Break The Law Without You Realising
This past year of lockdowns has seen most of us get better acquainted with our DIY kit as we set ourselves projects to while away our empty weekends. However, though the lockdown may have turned us into skilled carpenters, upcyclers and upholsterers, there are certain laws that might make you think twice before embarking on ambitious home improvement projects.
Here are nine ways that your home might be breaking the law, and nine reasons why you should always call on a PMP Approved Professional to do it for you!
Bathrooms
Could your bathroom be breaking the law? It is not a very well known fact that you need to seek permission from your water company before installing certain water fixtures, such as large baths (holding over 230L) and specific types of bidet (those with ascending sprays or flexible hoses), but it is nonetheless a legal requirement that could get you in hot water with your water companies.
Failing to seek permission could lead to hefty costs to rectify non-compliant water fixtures, or in extreme cases, contamination and court procedures. It is therefore always safest to call on a professional to carry out any maintenance or renovation on water fixtures.
Security lighting
You must be mindful of your neighbours when installing bright security lighting outside your home, or else you could be at risk of light pollution and causing a general nuisance for your neighbours. Make sure lights are not directed at anyone’s windows, and if the lights are fitted with Passive Infra-Red Detectors (PIRs) or timing devices, they should be situated where they won’t be triggered by nearby traffic lights or pedestrians.
CCTV
Similar to the laws surrounding security lighting but with much graver consequences, it is imperative that any security cameras you set up on your property do not point into your neighbour’s private land. This could constitute a breach in privacy laws under the Human Rights Act and lead to allegations of harassment.
Blinds
Blinds can be a serious safety hazard for young children, so it is crucial that you adhere to the Blind Cord Safety Regulations 2014 if you plan on putting blinds up yourself.
The blind cord or chain length must end at least 1.5 metres above the floor to be compliant with safety regulations. A cleat hook can offer a simple solution for cords to be kept tidy and out of reach.
Conservatories
If you are planning on building a conservatory of extension to the rear of your property, you need to be aware of the various planning regulations relating to the type of property you live in, and you also need to be clear on your measurements. Most planning regulations relate to the dimensions of the ‘original property’, meaning the property when it was first built or as it stood on the 1st July 1948, so even if you have never extended your house before, it is worth checking whether the previous owners had built an extension as this could restrict your plans.
You can build a conservatory without permission under the following conditions:
- It is up to eight metres in length for a detached house, and six metres in length for a terraced or semi attached
- It is below the maximum height of four metres, or three metres if it sits within two metres of the boundary
- No more than half the area of land around the original house is covered by additions or buildings
- Roof ridge or top point is not higher than the eaves of a property’s roof
- If the extension is more than one storey, it must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than three metres or be within seven metres of any boundary opposite the rear all of the house.
For more information on the rules and regulations surround planning permission, click here.
Trees and hedges
It is illegal to cut back tree branches on your neighbour’s property without their consent, so you should always be careful to only cut the foliage that overhangs on your land. What’s more, if you take a piece of fruit from a neighbour’s tree without their permission, even if it is hanging in your garden, it could constitute theft!
It is also illegal to cut any branches of a tree that has a protection order (TPO). If you are unsure, you can check with your local authority’s tree officer to find out whether your tree is protected.
If you are looking to add a hedge or some foliage to your land, you do not need to seek planning permission, but it is wise to consult your local planning authority first as you will be responsible for maintaining it.
Fences, gates and garden walls
You will need to seek planning permission before erecting a fence, gate, or garden wall that is more than two metres in height. If the fence or wall you seek to build borders or adjoins a public highway used for vehicles, you may need planning permission for anything over one metre.
If your property is a listed building or even borders a listed building, you will also need planning permission before erecting any fences, gates or garden walls. It is always wise to check the property deeds or land registry for any existing agreement between the property and the neighbours or restrictions in building rights.
Garden sheds
Storage space, craft cabin, home office or hot tub house – whatever the reason you are building a garden shed or outhouse, it must meet a certain planning criteria. All outbuildings must be no more than 2.5 metres above the existing land level in height, with a maximum of four metres for those with a dual pitched roof, or three metres for any other type of roof.
The ground area covered by the outbuilding must be no more than half the total area of the property, so it is important that you get your measurements exactly right before setting about building a shed in your garden.
Noisy work
It’s not just loud music that has a curfew! Noisy housework and DIY also has a cut off time, and it is actually long before the 11pm music curfew.
It is recommended by environmental health officers that noisy DIY jobs and even household tasks like vacuuming must be completed between 8am and 6pm on weekdays, 8am and 1pm on Saturdays and not at all on a Sunday. If you carry out noisy work outside of these times, you could risk being classed as a noise nuisance – so there’s your excuse not to do the vacuuming on a Sunday!
If these rules and regulations made you put the hammer down and think again about your upcoming DIY plans, it might be time to call a professional. Our PMP Approved contractors are well-acquainted with the laws, legislation, rules and requirements surrounding household maintenance, so will be able to help you make the right decisions and execute safe and compliant home improvements. Get a free quote with us today for any of your home maintenance needs.
Here at The Property Maintenance People, we know that it is more important than ever that you feel safe and comfortable in your home, which is why we are continuing to operate throughout national restrictions and are following strict safety measures to protect our clients and staff.