Over the top Christmas lights can land homeowners in trouble

Homeowners are being warned going overboard with Christmas lights can land them in trouble.

Home improvement experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk are warning Brits that overly bright light displays can be seen as a statutory nuisance.

Many households enjoy putting up colourful lights and Christmas displays to give their front gardens a festive makeover.

While there’s nothing wrong with spreading a bit of festive cheer, going overboard with bright decorations can cause a nuisance to neighbours.

When lights become an issue, local authorities can get involved and serve homeowners with an abatement notice which obliges them to stop using the lights or limit their use to certain times.

The best practice would be to consult with neighbours before putting up extensive displays, and if they’re causing a disturbance, it’s important to dim the lights or monitor how long they’re left on to avoid repercussions from the local authorities.

Cat Wiltshire from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: “While beautifully lit-up houses can help people get into the festive spirit, if your light displays are too over the top, it can not only cause issues with your neighbours but with local authorities as well.

“For your lights to be deemed a statutory nuisance, they must unreasonably interfere with the use or enjoyment of your neighbours’ home, so just hanging up a few sets of festive lights is not a cause for concern.

“But if you go as far as installing excessively bright or flashing lights that illuminate your neighbours’ property, you could be at risk of complaints.

“To avoid conflicts, it’s always a good idea to consult with your neighbours beforehand and keep the lights focused on your own property.

“Timers can be a great way to ensure your lights aren’t left on during unsociable hours, and using warm, non-flashing lights can help create a cosy, festive atmosphere without being intrusive.

“It’s also worth considering using low-wattage or energy-efficient LED lights because they produce less glare and are softer on the eyes.”