Eyesore Homes
Some homes and gardens can look a mess. It is the responsibility of owners (and tenants, where rented out) to keep homes and gardens looking presentable.
The council has limited power to intervene in these cases, but options include:
- Service of a Planning Amenity Notice for the general appearance of a property. Contact Planning Enforcement
- An Application to Planning Enforcement under the High Hedges legislation.
- Removal of accumulated refuse which will rot or provide food for pests. Contact Environmental Health & Trading Standards. For more information, see Accumulations of Waste and Rubbish.
- If the property is empty, letting us know it is empty via our Empty Homes web page. We may be able to help the owner return it to use.
Please note that amenity powers under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 are not available as West Lothian has no Housing Renewal Areas. Due to other higher priority work, complaints concerning only the appearance of a home or garden are not routinely investigated and may not result in any action being taken.
