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Ten laws you could be breaking at your own home without even realising
Did you know about these?
Here are ten of the most common laws you may be unaware you’re breaking at home, but which could set you back thousands of pounds in fines.
Households are being warned of laws they may be unknowingly breaking all from the comfort of their own home.
A new study by property experts Lajollalife.com reveals a list of the everyday laws people are accidentally breaking within their homes that could set you back an eye watering £44,100.
There’s been a steady increase in the number of fines issued in the UK over the last three years, according to government data.
In 2019, 68 million fines were issued compared to 2022, where 77 million fines were handed out. In 2023, it’s estimated that around 13.4 million people will be fined in the UK this year.
And now, UK homeowners must comply with new energy performance regulations or face penalties, including imprisonment of up to one year or fines amounting to £15,000.
Listed below are 10 of the most common laws you could be unknowingly breaking at home:
Not fixing a leaky tap – £1,000
According to Google search data, there are around 18,000 people typing ‘how to fix a leaky tap’ every month. But, as per The Water Industry Act 1999, you could be fined £1,000 for not repairing it.
The act says homeowners are required to fix any leaky taps within ‘a reasonable amount of time’. The Office of Water Services (Ofwat) states that water undertakers should expect homeowners to fix leaky taps within 24 hours of becoming aware of them.
Chris Guilfoyle, Managing Director of Greywater Drainage Solutions, said: “It’s interesting that the majority of the population do in fact appear to not be aware of such laws and the typical leaks that we fix are not recent occurrences.
“In fact I would estimate that 70% of leaks that we attend and repair have been ongoing for months, perhaps even years, due to the level of scale and corrosion to the surrounding areas; this is a tell-tale sign.
“When considering your leaking taps, don’t forget to check the pipework and valves under your sink as these are guaranteed to damage surrounding areas.”
An untidy garden – £500 fine
Google search data also reveals there’s been a 187% increase in people searching for ‘tidy garden’ online.
Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, the law requires people to keep their gardens in good condition, or be fined up to £500.
Not displaying your house number clearly – £500
According to Street naming and Numbering (England) Regulations 1999, homeowners must display their house number clearly. House numbers should be placed in a visible position which can be seen from the street.
Displayed numbers should be made of durable material that is at least three inches high, or homeowners could face a hefty fixed penalty notice of £500.
Having an overflowing or broken bin – £500
Overflowing bins are a common occurrence, especially for those with children or larger households.
However, The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 says that homeowners are responsible for ensuring their bins are not overflowing or broken else they could be landed with a £500 fine.
When ordering a new bin from the local council, it can take up to two weeks for it to arrive, so if you notice a small crack, it’s best to act sooner rather than later.
Not maintaining your gutters or drains – £5,000 fine
According to The Building act 1984, homeowners should maintain their gutters and drains. This means they should not be overflowing, blocked or broken.
Gutters should be cleaned regularly, especially in Autumn when leaves fall and cover surfaces.
However, the fine for not doing so isn’t explicitly stated in law and is set by your local council which can vary from £50-£5,000 in some areas.
Chris Guilfoyle, whose drainage company regularly undertakes guttering clearance and repairs, stated: “Over the years, we’ve witnessed a growing demand for professional gutter cleaning services as homeowners increasingly prioritise safety and reliability over tackling this task themselves.
“Unfortunately, gutter maintenance often falls by the wayside, and when we finally step in, the gutters often require access through platforms or scaffolding. Regular maintenance can help homeowners avoid more significant expenses, thanks to innovative solutions like gutter vacuums, which are accessible to homeowners.
“However, a common challenge arises when considering where to store these extension poles when they’re not in use. Often, it’s more convenient to enlist the services of a local firm before gutter issues escalate.
“Of course, heightened concern arises in areas near trees and nesting bird populations, as this elevates the risk of leaves accumulating, nests forming, and the growth of moss and other debris on your roof.
“If these issues become visible, it’s highly likely they’ve also made their way into your gutters.”
Parking on front of your neighbour’s driveway – £100 fine
With more and more people owning a car, our streets have gotten busier for parking in recent years resulting in many giving up a perfectly lovely front garden in favour of a driveway.
Parking over a neighbour’s driveway, even if for a short visit, has been the cause of many neighbourly parking wars.
According to the highWay Code, Rule 243 states: “Do not park in front of an entrance to a property.” Those who do so may risk receiving a fine of £100.
Throwing your TV in the bin – £5,000 fine
It is illegal to throw your TV in the bin, under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013.
If you’re caught binning your old set in the rubbish, you could be fined up to £5,000 and even ordered to pay the costs of recycling it too.
Having a broken fence – £500 fine
According to the Building Act 1984, if your fence is damaged or falling down, you could be fined up to £500.
The specific rule in section 38 of the act states: “Every owner of premises shall, so far as reasonably practicable, keep in repair and in good condition all buildings and fences on the premises.”
However, the fine for not doing so is not explicitly stated in law. The fine is set by the local council and can range from £50 – £500.
Not having your log burner serviced at least once a year – £1,000 fine
There are now new regulations in place for homeowners with log burners in the UK. It is now a requirement that log burners must be inspected and serviced by a qualified engineer every year, as part of the DEFRA Clean Air Strategy.
Regulations also state you can only use a low-smoke wood fuel, and must install a carbon monoxide alarm in your home. Failing to do so could result in a £1,000 fine.
Not repairing a dangerous crack in your property – £30,000 fine
According to Google there’s been a 124% increase in people searching for ‘when to worry about house cracks?’.
The Housing Act 2004 states that homeowners are required to repair any dangerous cracks, or be stung with a whopping £30,000 fine if one isn’t repaired. Although the specific fine isn’t stated in law, it is set by the local council and can vary from £50 – £30,000.
Mr Guilfoyle added: “While many cracks in property can be due to typical and seasonable movement inline with temperature changes, quite often large cracks can be as a result of subsidence.
“The root causes of these is often leaks in the household drainage system or water mains. If you spot any particularly large cracks from 5mm to 35mm then these should be investigated as they could be a symptom of a much larger structural problem.”
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Once-in-a-lifetime ‘Mother of Dragons’ green comet set to be visible in UK skies tonight
Don’t forget to look up tonight!
A huge green comet dubbed the ‘Mother of Dragons’ is set to be visible in UK skies tonight, and here’s how you can see it.
A green giant – not the sweetcorn kind – is currently visible in the sky over the northern hemisphere, and this spectacular glowing rock can be seen shooting past us this evening (April 4th).
There’s a lot of cosmic goings on in the skies at the moment as North America prepares to witness a solar eclipse next week, plunging it into darkness for a moment.
Unfortunately, us Brits won’t be able to witness that one but the Mother of Dragons comet will certainly be an extraordinary spectacle to witness, and will look a bit like the Green Goblin is zooming past us high up in the sky.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks has a nucleus approximately 10.5 miles (17 kilometres) wide – about the size of a city – and is thought to be bright enough to see with the naked eye, although astronomers advise using binoculars to get the best views.
The comet will be visible for the first time since 1954 and only passes by every 71 years.
It has been given its nickname because ESA researchers believe it is the parent body of the kappa-Draconids meteor shower, and of course it’s a cool pop-culture reference to Game of Thrones.
The comet also used to appear to have a pair of horns but they have gone now.
It is comprised of ice, dust and rock and looks green due to the presence of diatomic carbon molecules, which emit emerald-coloured light when illuminated by the sun.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is referred to as explosive due to its volatile activity as it is known for its spectacular outbursts of gas and dust.
The comet will reach its closest point to Earth in June 2024. However, by this time, it won’t be possible to observe the comet from the northern hemisphere. Late March and early April will offer the best opportunities.
If you’re an avid stargazer, astronomer in the making or would just like a chance to see this magnificent ancient rock light up the night sky, you will need to head out to higher ground away from light pollution where possible. Clear skies are best and binoculars may help you get the best views of this cosmic marvel.
Gregory Brown, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told the MailOnline: “The comet can now be found in the constellation of Aries which is visible in the early evening, over in the west.
“It will only become visible after twilight and sets by around 10pm BST.
“While it may be possible to see with the unaided eye, it is best to try and observe with a pair of binoculars or a small telescope.”
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks won’t be returning to our night skies until 2095, so make sure not to miss out on this one!
The rain may seem relentless but brighter days are coming for Manchester as the city is set to get hotter than Los Angeles later this week.
This rainy metropolis will enjoy a little break from the April showers as a mini heatwave is coming to kick start beer garden season.
So, dig out your shorts and leave your jacket at home as temperatures begin to soar from Friday afternoon, reaching 18C on Saturday – which will be hotter than LA in the Golden State of California.
As Friday afternoon (April 5th) approaches, the sun will make an appearance between any breaks in the clouds and temperatures will peak at 16C, according to BBC Weather.
And with sunset not until 7.52pm, there will be just enough time to visit a pub garden and enjoy a couple of mojitos to get you in the mood for the weekend.
On Saturday April 6th, Manchester will start off cloudy but into the late morning temperatures will begin to rise and Mancunians will get to enjoy sunny intervals with temperatures reaching highs of 18C, as meteorologists predict ‘above average’ conditions for this time of year.
However, the rollerbladers on Venice Beach will only experience temperatures of 15C. But while Los Angeles might be a little cooler than Manchester, it will still remain sunny while Mancs will have to put up with the odd shower here and there.
The Met Office’s outlook for Friday and Saturday reads: “Low pressure remaining dominant through this period, with further heavy showers and longer spells of rain.
“Turning increasingly windy too, though temperatures above average for the time of year.”
Now, we know it won’t be perfect weather but it will make a nice change from the constant freezing temperatures we’ve been having. A nice spell of warmth and sunshine on the weekend isn’t too shabby afterall.
No doubt we’ll all be flocking to our nearest beaches, nature spots and having a BBQ this weekend!
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Greater Manchester dominates top ten UK Vaping Capitals, according to research
Four Greater Manchester areas made the top 10 list of vaping hotspots
Greater Manchester dominates the list of Vaping Capitals of the UK, according to new research.
Wherever you go, you don’t have to walk far before you enter a sweet-smelling hazy cloud of vapour and feel as if you’re a contestant on Stars In Their Eyes.
Young people are vaping on the tram, your mate can barely construct a sentence without inhaling some of the battery-powered, synthetic cherry flavoured smoke, and every other stranger on the street is blowing out a cloud big enough to conceal an aircraft.
Replacing the old habit of cigarette smoking, it now seems as if vaping is taking over just about everywhere.
Online vape store Go Smoke Free, used GOV.UK’s Companies House advanced search feature to find businesses registered for the retail sale of tobacco products in specialised stores in the UK.
It then compared the number of these active businesses to each town or city’s population size to construct a list of the top 10 UK Vaping Capitals.
Unfortunately, Greater Manchester dominates the list of the UK’s Vaping Capitals with four areas named.
According to the research, Blackburn is ranked as the UK’s vaping capital, with 27 registered vape retailers serving its population of 119,707 residents. When accounting for population size, this equates to 22.56 vape shops per 100,000 residents – the largest figure for any UK town or city.
Second on the list is Bolton in Greater Manchester, with 20.26 vape shops registered per 100,000 residents in the town. Bolton has 41 registered vape shops in total serving its 202,369 residents.
Manchester ranks third, with 110 vape shops in total. However, the city’s larger population ensures this works out to 19.84 registered vape retailers per 100,000 residents.
Further down the list, Middlesbrough ranks fourth. Located in North Yorkshire, Middlesbrough has 12.43 vape shops per 100,000 residents. The town has 22 registered vape shops serving its 176,991 residents.
Rounding out the top five is Salford in Greater Manchester, which has a total of 14 registered vape shops, equivalent to 12.03 shops per 100,000 residents.
And Stockport ranks sixth, with 10.91 vape retailers per 100,000 residents.
A spokesperson for Go Smoke Free said: “Disposable vapes have gained popularity in recent years, due to their convenience, portability and low cost, which has made them an attractive option for those who would otherwise have been unlikely to invest in a more complex vaping setup.”
They continued: “The new disposable vape ban should help to discourage children from taking up vaping, while encouraging adults to shift to more sustainable alternatives, such as refillable vapes.
“This study highlights which areas of the UK are most likely to be affected by the upcoming ban on selling disposable vapes. The Greater Manchester area boasts its fair share of stores catering to vapers’ needs, with Blackburn, Bolton and the city of Manchester claiming the top three spots.
“These cities could see a significant shift in their vaping culture, with the ban impacting consumer behaviour, and existing vape retailers adapting their offerings to cater to the new legislation.”
The list of vaping capital of the UK, according to Go Smoke Free, is as follows:
- Blackburn
- Bolton
- Manchester
- Middlesborough
- Salford
- Stockport
- Doncaster
- Newport
- Peterborough
- Nottingham
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