Report overgrown land

We can investigate complaints about overgrown land or gardens that could be a statutory nuisance.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 allows us to take action against problems that do one of the following:

• unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of your home or other premises
• injure health or be likely to injure health

How we assess an overgrown land complaint

Overgrown land and untidy gardens can impact on the appearance of a neighbourhood.

However, we will only take action on untidy gardens or land if they contain items which may be harmful to health or a nuisance, for example, rotting food waste which may create an odour or attract pests.

Not all overgrown gardens attract rats as they also need a supply of food and water.

Inert materials, such as rubble and timber, are unlikely to cause a nuisance. 

What happens next

When you make a complaint, we will contact the person responsible to investigate the problem.

We will then decide if the problem is a statutory nuisance and advise the owner on any action they should take.

If we find that the problem is a statutory nuisance, an abatement notice can be served to the person or landowner responsible. Anyone who continues to break the law can be fined.