UK households with garden fences warned 'it's illegal' ahead of £20,000 fines Many might not know that some of the plans they have for their gardens could land them with hefty fines, or even a criminal record. UK households with garden fences warned 'it's illegal' ahead of £20,000 fines This week marks National Gardening Week, and millions of Brits will be venturing into their gardens to get them ready for summer. But many might not know that some of the plans they have for their gardens could land them with hefty fines, or even a criminal record. Helen Godsiff, brand manager at leading home improvement specialists, Eurocell , says there are still strict rules to follow when putting up your new seating area. ‌ Altering the landscape of your garden could impact things such as retaining walls, drainage, pipework or your neighbour's property. You should always check with your local planning authority before making any changes. They’ll often perform checks to ensure that any work doesn’t increase the likelihood of flooding, or impact on local ecology. ‌ READ MORE HMRC issues warning to 'wind down' use of scheme as it begins 'crackdown' If work undertaken on your property negatively impacts your neighbours, such as by flooding their garden, you could be subject to an abatement notice from the local authority. Failure to comply with this order to stop can lead to fines of up to £5,000 for individuals or £20,000 for businesses. Article continues below If you go ahead without planning permission, and it turns out later that you did need it, you can apply for retrospective approval. The planning officer could require you to then alter your plans, even if you’ve already completed construction. Obviously, this can be expensive. However, failure to comply with an enforcement notice is a criminal offence and you can face prosecution. Here, you can face prosecution in a Magistrates’ or Crown Court. The maximum fine in a magistrates court is £20,000, but there is no limit on the maximum fine a Crown Court could impose. Godsiff, brand manager at leading home improvement specialists, Eurocell , said: "While it may seem unfair to face fines for making improvements to your own garden, planning permission rules exist for a reason. They help prevent disputes with neighbours and reduce the risk of long-term issues caused by poorly planned projects. Article continues below "That said, many major garden upgrades can be done without planning permission. For example, garden rooms are often designed to meet Permitted Development rules, and installing a composite deck below 30cm is usually straightforward. Landscaping can also be carried out in a way that avoids disrupting the rest of the garden or requiring approval. "Whatever the project, it's essential to research the regulations before getting started. That way, homeowners can avoid unexpected fines—or an unwelcome visit from the planning officer!"