East Suffolk Council
Untidy gardens
Sometimes, neighbouring gardens and land can be left to deteriorate. It can become unsightly or attract other environmental crimes, such as fly-tipping. The council has powers to investigate such incidents to ensure that residents respect their neighbours and their environment.
If the material in an untidy garden is liable to decay (e.g discarded foodstuffs, excrement, nappies, dead animals) and is causing a nuisance to neighbours or attracting rats or mice, the council's Private Sector Housing Team may be able to take action to deal with this. Inert materials that are just unsightly are unlikely to be causing a statutory nuisance.
The council has been given powers to help maintain the standard of the local environment. However, it is also the responsibility of individuals to ensure that they do not leave land under their control to deteriorate to the point where the only option is enforcement action.
Land or buildings in an unsightly condition that may be "detrimental to the amenity of the neighbourhood" could be dealt with under powers available to planning enforcement officers.