Households handed 6 months in prison and unlimited fine for roof mistake

Households are being warned about a fine and up to 6 months in prison over a costly mistake involving your attic, loft or roof space.

As summer turns to autumn and winter fast approaches, this is the time of year when bats begin to nest.

Bat mating season is usually in the autumn, and pregnant bats will then seek out a warm, sheltered and dry place to keep safe over the cold winter months – and sometimes this means your house’s roof space.

Traditionally bats used to roost in woods and forests but with massive reduction in woodland habitats, as more and more green space is cleared for housing and developments, bats have been forced to adapt and buildings such as houses are an ideal solution.

Chase Ecology says: “All our UK bat species will make use of buildings on occasion, but for some species such as pipistrelles and brown long-eared bats, homes, bridges, barns and churches and a variety of other buildings have become essential roost sites.

“It is not uncommon for bats to roost in both new and old houses.”

Bats can be noisy, leave droppings and can make it harder to sell your house given their protected status.

But unfortunately bats can pose an even bigger problem for home owners because causing harm to a bat – which can be as simple as moving a bat at all – can lead to jail time and an ‘unlimited’ fine.

Historic England says: “Building professionals, contractors, owners or managers of old buildings are very likely to encounter bats.

“All species of bat, their breeding sites and resting places are strictly protected in England under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017).

“It is illegal to kill or injure bats, disturb them or to obstruct or destroy their roosts (even if the bats are not inside at the time).

“Breaking these laws could incur an unlimited fine and/or up to six months in prison and forfeiting the equipment used to commit the crime. Recent bat crime cases have also involved Proceeds of Crime Act confiscations, where any savings made from not following legal processes are paid to the courts by the offender.”

So it is an extremely serious issue and requires a careful response if you find bats on your property, and you must seek legal advice before doing anything that could disturb a bat or bat roost in your house.