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Criminal Behaviour: 13 Ways You Could Be Breaking The Law And Not Even Know It
You may think you’re the model citizen and a good neighbour – but causing a nuisance is easier than you may believe.
Innocuous acts such as hoovering after 8pm, owning an outdoor hot tub or even having a trampoline could mean you are breaking the law.
Compiled by Danielle Clements, a specialist in property litigation and dispute at Gorvins Solicitors, this lists contains everyday ways you could provoke litigation from a neighbour.
Some – such as using your neighbours unsecured wi-fi are obvious – but others, such as doing DIY on a Sunday may well shock you.
Many of these acts could constitute a nuisance, while others could breach your neighbours’ right to privacy.
Ms Clements said: “People are often surprised by what legally is deemed to be a nuisance.
“Nuisance behaviour is not limited to simply loud music and late night parties.
“We received a complaint from an individual that was founded on noise from a water feature that was constantly turned on.
“The persistent noise was an unpleasant distraction that prevented their quiet enjoyment of their garden and could even be heard from their property on a night.
“Depending on the level of the noise this, unbelievably, can actually be a legal nuisance.”
Are you breaking the law?
If you intend to attach your washing line, garden hose or plants to a neighbour’s fence obtain permission first. It is your neighbour’s property so their consent is required.
Bubbling hot tubs could constitute a nuisance due to noise.
Only cut back tree branches to the extent that they overhang your land. Cutting back into your neighbour’s property is illegal. If the tree has a preservation order you cannot cut any branches.
Do not just throw back hedge or tree trimmings from overhanging plants without speaking to your neighbour first. Despite the plants belonging to them this could be considered to be garden waste fly tipping.
Do not take fruit from a neighbour’s tree even if it overhangs your land – this constitutes theft.
Ensure any CCTV cameras around your property do not point at part or all of a neighbour’s land. This could breach privacy laws under the Human Rights Act – and possibly lead to allegations of harassment.
Smoke – from a wood burner, chiminea or barbecue – can constitute a nuisance.
Keeping chickens might seem like a good idea but the noise, odour, flies and vermin can be deemed to be nuisance behaviour.
Be mindful where you position children’s trampolines to ensure that the noise is not too disturbing – and also to avoid children being able to see into neighbours gardens and affect their right to privacy.
Bright security lighting if it shines directly into a neighbour’s property can constitute light pollution or a nuisance
It is recommended by environmental health officers that noisy DIY should only take place between 8am and 6pm on weekdays, Saturdays between 8am and 1pm and NEVER on a Sunday. Similar recommendations are in place for hoovering.
If you are parking a caravan or winnebago on your drive, the position of the vehicle might affect your neighbours right to light and constitute a nuisance.
Do not use a neighbour’s unsecure wi-fi connection without their knowledge. Criminal charges can be brought against you under the Computer Misuse Act 1990/the Communications Act 2003
