Homeowners could be hit with fines of up to £1,000 for a common garden mistake this summer, according to new research from Redrow. The warning comes as the study reveals that noisy DIY or gardening work is one of the biggest neighbourhood annoyances for more than a quarter of homeowners (26%).
Noise Act 1996 and night hours
Under the Noise Act 1996, night hours are legally defined as 11pm to 7am. Excessive noise during this period can lead to complaints from neighbours, fixed penalty notices, or even prosecution, with fines reaching up to £1,000. In persistent cases, local authorities have the power to seize noise-making equipment.
Neighbour etiquette guidelines
To help homeowners avoid disputes, Redrow has outlined essential neighbour etiquette guidelines:
- Choose the right time: Avoid noisy gardening or DIY work early in the morning, late in the evening, or during night hours (11pm-7am).
- Keep shared spaces tidy: Dispose of garden waste responsibly and avoid leaving cuttings or materials that could affect neighbouring properties.
- Give neighbours a heads-up: If planning particularly noisy work, a quick conversation beforehand can maintain good relations.
Handling tensions
Psychotherapist Zara Kadir advises keeping conversations calm and constructive. "It's good to stay calm and address things as and when they arise, as opposed to one day erupting with a back-catalogue of misdemeanours," she said. "Think about what you want the goal to be before you begin. Then, share the goal with the other person, which could sound like 'there's something I've been wanting to address and I hope that we can reach a point of mutual understanding.' When we start with attacking statements such as 'you always' or 'you never', the other party will automatically find themselves in a defensive position. I often talk about describing how you feel, instead of what the other person did."
Tips for reducing garden noise
Since DIY and gardening work are among the biggest neighbourhood irritations, here are some tips for keeping noise down in your garden:
Build dense, solid boundaries
- Acoustic fencing: Upgrade to acoustic fencing made of thick, interlocking tongue-and-groove timber, which can significantly reduce perceived noise.
- Masonry walls: Brick or concrete walls are highly effective as the dense material absorbs and deflects sound waves.
- Seal gaps: Ensure no gaps between the ground and fence panels, and opt for a solid wooden gate instead of metal or chain-link.
Plant living sound barriers
- Multi-layered planting: Combine trees, dense shrubs, and groundcover to create a thick barrier.
- Evergreens: Use dense varieties like Leyland cypress, Juniper, or Arborvitae for year-round noise and privacy protection.
- Ornamental grasses: Tall, clumping bamboo (select clumping varieties to prevent invasive spread) can also help dampen street noise.
Mask the noise
If you cannot fully block a noise, you can alter your garden's soundscape using sound masking:
- Water features: The constant trickle or splash of a tiered fountain or bubbling rock adds natural white noise that masks low-frequency traffic hum or chatty neighbours.
- Rustling plants: Ornamental grasses or broad-leafed trees create calming, natural sounds when the wind blows, covering up harsher urban noises.
