Homeowners across the UK are being warned that overgrown hedges exceeding 2 metres in height could lead to formal complaints and fines of up to £1,000. The legislation, Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, allows councils to investigate complaints about hedges that affect a neighbour's reasonable enjoyment of their property.
Under the law, a hedge must consist of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs and be more than 2 metres tall to be subject to action. Councils must first determine whether the hedge is causing a problem, such as blocking light or access, before issuing a remedial notice requiring the owner to reduce its height.
However, councils can reject complaints if neighbours have not first attempted to resolve the issue directly through mediation or informal discussion. Local authorities also charge fees for handling complaints; for example, Sevenoaks District Council charges £650 to investigate, with the fee payable even if the complaint is unsuccessful.
Failure to comply with a remedial notice is a criminal offence, carrying a maximum fine of £1,000. Councils may also enter the land to carry out the required work themselves. Notably, the legislation does not allow councils to force hedge removal or require reduction below 2 metres in all cases, as decisions balance both neighbours' interests.
Experts note that hedge height disputes are among the most common neighbourhood complaints in the UK, with most resolved informally. However, escalation to council enforcement can become costly for those involved.
