19th October 2024

Ten laws first-time homeowners don’t realise they’re breaking

Buying and moving into a home can be one of life’s most exciting yet stressful events, at least in the UK, and this can be especially true for first-time buyers who may not be familiar with certain rules and regulations. It makes it even more stressful if you finally get into your home and are then hit with fines for laws that you didn’t even know existed. To help you avoid facing these fines, we’ve listed 10 common mistakes that first-time home buyers often make below, though we’d bet that even homeowners of over 20 years don’t realise that they’re breaking half of these laws.

Common first-time home buyer mistakes

If you want to avoid hefty fines on top of an already costly process, we’d recommend that you familiarise yourself with the laws below before you move into your first home. This will help to ensure that your move goes more smoothly, reducing stress and saving you a headache.

Untidy garden

The garden is likely the last of your worries when you are trying to get settled into your new home, but it’s important not to neglect it. Whilst it is within the bounds of your property, if a neighbour complains and their complaint has substance, you may be facing an initial fine of up to £500 under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, and in some councils, this can be much more. This is because an untidy garden, either back or front,  is considered ‘detrimental to the amenity of the neighbourhood’ which is under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Section 215. This act states that councils hold the power to require proper land maintenance within residential areas in their council boundaries. This means, if you have furniture or waste on your property that you’re looking to get rid of, it’s important that you don’t leave it standing outside your property for extended periods of time. Organise a collection to have it taken away because this will likely be much cheaper than the fine you face if a neighbour complains to your council. Not only is having an untidy garden unsightly, but it also runs the risk of harbouring pests which can spread to neighbouring properties, so it’s in everyone’s best interest to maintain their land.

At auction, renovation properties are often popular purchases, meaning that there may be some clutter in the gardens already from previous owners, or you might place it there yourself during the renovation stage. It’s important that you’re mindful of this and ensure it is collected or disposed of ASAP.

Overflowing bin / incorrect disposal

Again, having lots of rubbish can result in financial woe. In this case, there are several clauses that you need to be aware of. For example, having an overflowing bin or broken bin can land you with a £500 fine which falls under the The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. If you notice that your bin is damaged, you should organise for a replacement from your council as soon as possible. 

Additionally, you could be fined if you aren’t disposing of your waste correctly in accordance with your council’s guidelines. For example, disposing of electrical items such as your TV in your household waste bin is illegal under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013. This isn’t a minuscule fine either if you’re caught, you can be charged up to £5,000, and be liable to pay the costs of recycling your e-waste.

Obstructing public pathways

You need to ensure that pathways are kept clear. Even putting your bin too far out or leaving it on the pavement when it isn’t bin collection day can be a cause for a fine as you’ll be blocking access and natural footfall on the path. This is a particular concern to people in wheelchairs, with disabilities, or people with pushchairs as they could be forced onto the road which is especially dangerous if you live in a busy area and there are no dropped curbs for re-entry onto the path. The government and local authorities can issue fixed penalties for this, so it’s best to be mindful of where your items (including your car) are placed outside your home.

Inadequate maintenance of your property

There are many clauses that fall under this title that can result in a fine. We’d recommend checking your property for any of the below problems and getting them fixed as soon as possible to avoid fines under various acts such as the Housing Act 2004 and Water Industry Act 1999. 

• Not repairing a dangerous crack – fines of up to £30,000
• Not fixing a leaky tap – fines of up to £1000
• Having a broken fence – fines of up to £500
• Not displaying your house number properly – fines of up to £500
• Not maintaining your gutters and drains – fines of up to £5000

Painting your front door

Now, painting your front door isn’t strictly illegal. However, it is something that is considered under the ‘permitted development rights’. This means that owners of non-listed buildings can paint their door without seeking planning permission but owners of listed buildings must obtain this. The colour chosen must not compromise the historic or architectural character of the building or affect the appearance of the conservation area that you live in. If you do this without permission, you may face a fine and be ordered to remove the colour. This law also applies to painting the property exterior.

Your kids playing ‘Knock-a-Door Run’

Kids will be kids and the temptation to play ‘knock-a-door run’ (or ‘ding dong ditch’, or ‘knock down ginger’, if that’s how you know the game) can be strong. Now, you may be wondering, is ‘knock-a-door run’ illegal? It seems a strange thing to have a law against, but the answer is yes. It is illegal, under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 which makes it illegal to “willfully and wantonly disturb any inhabitant by pulling or ringing any doorbell or knocking at any door without lawful excuse”. Your kids likely won’t know better, so you’ll need to teach them or run the risk of a fine.

Ignoring TPOs

Some trees are protected under a Tree Preservation Order. These can be located within or close to your property. If a tree has this order, you may not trim or fell the tree without permission. If you carry out work on a protected tree without consent, this could result in a fine of up to £20,000 and even criminal prosecution. If you’re unsure, ask your solicitor and consult your legal pack, or contact your local council for clarification on which trees have TPOs.

Illegal modifications

Part of the appeal of owning a property is that you can put your own stamp on it and make things exactly how you want them to be. However, this depends on the local authorities and whether they grant you planning permission or not. Before you jump the gun and make any major modifications, such as building an extension, you’ll need to obtain planning permission. If you don’t you’re facing hefty fines and could be ordered to take your alterations down under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

This doesn’t just apply to large modifications though, as you may also face these fines even when installing a shed or structure in your garden. You won’t usually need planning permission for things like a playhouse, but if your structure is higher than 2.5m you’ll need to obtain permission. This is especially important if you live surrounded by neighbours who would be affected by your structure blocking natural light or invading privacy. It’s always best to check with the council before undertaking any work.

Not updating your address on official documents

You need to update your address across all your official documents, such as your driving licence and vehicle registration log book, as well as other institutions like your bank, insurance policies, etc. Not doing so could land you some fines. It’s an easy thing to forget to do, so if you need a helping hand, here’s a comprehensive list: 

• Local council
• Electoral roll
• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
• HM Revenue and Customer (HMRC)
• Royal Mail
• Employer
• National Insurance
• Pet Microchipping & Vet Services
• GP & Other Health Services
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
• V5C log book
• Bank or building society
• Pension
• Loans
• Credit cards
• Insurance Companies (Car, Home, Pet, Health, Travel)

Not having a designated key holder for your burglar alarm

It’s illegal to activate your home alarm without nominating a key holder. According to the Sentencing Council, failure to do this can land you with a minimum £50 fine. This is because a house alarm going off can be a nuisance for the street if nobody is available to turn it off. The nominated key holder should not be someone who lives in the property but does hold keys to it and can silence the alarm. 

Find a property that suits your needs with SDL Property Auctions

Our list is full of laws that people break every day without realising it, but it’s not an exhaustive list. To make sure that you’re following the appropriate laws, we’d recommend reading your legal pack thoroughly and raising any questions that you might have with your solicitor. If you’re in the market for a new house and want to explore your options with these considerations in mind, take a look at our Property Finder to discover the properties available nearby to you.