The UK city with worst gardens revealed - neighbours complain almost 5 times a day

While 95% of Brits proudly consider themselves with pristine kitchens and spotless living rooms topping the list, a new study suggests we might be neglecting the great outdoors. According to new data from , which submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to councils across the UK, has claimed the unenviable title of having the "messiest gardens" in Britain.

Between 2020 and 2025, Bradford City Council received a staggering 9,177 complaints related to garden maintenance, the highest number in the country. That's the equivalent of nearly five complaints every single day, as frustrated neighbours report issues ranging from overgrown lawns and dumped rubbish to dog fouling and broken fences.

The data suggests that despite the UK's love of a well-kept home, gardens are frequently left in disarray, particularly when the weather turns and outdoor spaces are not used.

Bradford's garden-related grievances were overwhelmingly tied to domestic refuse, which made up 96% of the complaints. An additional 4% cited dog fouling as the issue.

The city also struggles with broader cleanliness problems. Bradford reported over 18,000 fly-tipping offences in 2023/24, according to Defra, making it one of the top 15 worst-hit locations for illegal dumping.

Barnsley ranked second for the messiest gardens, with 5,883 complaints logged over the same five-year period. While dog fouling led the list there, complaints also included abandoned furniture, uncollected rubbish bags, and general garden overgrowth, averaging three complaints a day.

Rotherham, Wigan, and Leeds also featured prominently among the UK's top 10 worst areas for garden upkeep.

At the other end of the scale, North Lanarkshire emerged as the UK's tidiest garden hotspot, with just 22 complaints made in five years, or about one complaint every three months.

The vast majority of those were due to overgrown gardens. Portsmouth and Wolverhampton followed closely, with 24 and 25 complaints respectively, reinforcing their reputations as some of the most garden-proud cities in the UK.

Interestingly, 7% of Brits admit to spying on their neighbours' gardens, keeping a watchful eye out for children, pets, or poorly maintained patches.

Fence disputes, communal garden issues and messy hedges are common triggers for tensions, suggesting that while we may not all be keen gardeners, we're certainly keen watchers.

As summer approaches and gardens return to regular use, perhaps it's time for some of the UK's most-complained-about cities to dig in, clean up, and reclaim their curb appeal.