Can I make my neighbour cut their hedge?
Sometimes — for a tall evergreen hedge that blocks your light or access, the council can step in, but only after you've tried to sort it out yourself. The power comes from Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. A "high hedge" means a line of two or more mostly evergreen shrubs or trees, over 2 metres tall, forming a barrier to light or access. You must first try to resolve it directly with your neighbour — a complaint is rejected otherwise — and you must be the owner or occupier of the affected home and show the height harms reasonable enjoyment of your property. The council can then issue a remedial notice, but it can never order the hedge cut below 2 metres, and can't order removal or anything that would kill it. Single trees, deciduous hedges and root problems are outside the scheme. In short: yes for a qualifying evergreen hedge, after trying yourself.
📋 The rules
- Power is Part 8, Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003
- Hedge: 2+ evergreens, over 2m, blocking light/access
- You must try to resolve it yourself first
- Council can't order it below 2 metres or removed
- Single trees and deciduous hedges aren't covered
🔓 Exceptions
- Council-owned hedges can still be complained about
- Protected (TPO/conservation) trees need separate consent
- Deadlines can be extended to protect nesting birds
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no national fee — councils set their own, typically around £300–£625 (sometimes reduced for low income) and usually non-refundable even if you win. Once a remedial notice is issued, failing to comply is a criminal offence with a fine up to £1,000, and the council can enter and do the work itself, recovering costs. Either side can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. The key limits: the council can require a reduction but never below 2 metres, and can't order removal. Beware a myth: "the council can make them cut it to my height or rip it out" is false — neither below 2m nor removal is allowed. To act: raise it in writing with your neighbour first, keep evidence you tried, and only then ask the council for a high hedge complaint form.
📎 Official sources
- GOV.UK — high hedges: complaining to the council →
- Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, Part 8 →
- GOV.UK — resolve neighbour disputes: high hedges →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I force my neighbour to cut their hedge?
Not directly, but you can ask the council to act under the high hedges rules if it's a line of two or more mostly evergreen shrubs or trees, over two metres tall, blocking your light or access. You must first try to resolve it with your neighbour; the council only steps in as a last resort and can issue a remedial notice.
What counts as a 'high hedge'?
Under Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, a high hedge is a line of two or more mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubs or trees, more than two metres tall, that forms a barrier to light or access. A single tree, a deciduous hedge, or problems caused by roots don't qualify under this scheme.
Can the council make them remove the hedge?
No. The council can require the hedge to be reduced or maintained, but it can never order it cut below two metres, and it can't order removal or anything that would kill the hedge. The aim is to relieve the loss of light or access, not to get rid of the hedge entirely.
Does it cost money to complain?
Yes, usually. There's no national fee, so each council sets its own, often in the region of £300 to £625, sometimes reduced for people on low incomes. The fee is generally non-refundable even if your complaint succeeds, so it's worth exhausting friendly negotiation with your neighbour first.
What if my neighbour ignores the council's notice?
Once the council issues a remedial notice, failing to carry out the work is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £1,000. The council can also enter the property, do the work itself and recover the cost from the hedge owner. Either party can appeal the notice to the Planning Inspectorate.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can i make my neighbour cut their hedge”
- “high hedge complaint council”
- “leylandii dispute uk”
- “hedge over 2 metres law”
- “anti social behaviour act high hedges”
- “neighbour hedge blocking light”