Bonfire Night mishaps could leave tenants facing £1,000+ repair bills, warns Rushbrook

Bonfire Night mishaps could cost over £1,000

According to the research, damage to garden fencing could cost between £100 and £200 to repair, while replacing damaged garden furniture or a wooden shed could cost around £300 each.

Bonfires can also cause substantial damage to lawns, with the estimated cost of replacing 50 sq m of turf coming to £350. 

Combined, these four potential mishaps could result in an illustrative repair bill of between £1,050 and £1,150. 

Other potential costs include replacing damaged roof tiles (£70–£100), broken windows (£100), guttering repairs (from £50) and carpet cleaning following a party (£50–£85). 

In more serious cases, fireworks or bonfires could cause extensive fire damage, with published restoration estimates ranging from approximately £600 to more than £70,000, depending on the severity of the incident. 

What tenants need to know before celebrating

Renting a property doesn't automatically prevent tenants from setting off fireworks or hosting Bonfire Night celebrations, but tenancy agreements may contain restrictions relating to fireworks, bonfires or activities that cause a nuisance to neighbours. 

Where the agreement is unclear, tenants should speak to their landlord or managing agent before making arrangements. 

Fireworks generally cannot be set off between 11pm and 7am in England and Wales, although the cutoff extends to midnight on Bonfire Night itself, 5th November. They must not be set off in streets or other public places, and private gardens must provide sufficient space to meet the relevant safety distances. 

For tenants living in apartment blocks, shared accommodation or managed developments, there may also be building-specific restrictions governing communal gardens and shared outdoor spaces. Celebrations in these settings can affect a much larger number of households, making consideration for neighbours particularly important. 

Tenants may also be responsible for damage caused by themselves or their guests. However, any deductions from a tenancy deposit must be supported by evidence, reflect reasonable repair costs and account for fair wear and tear. 

Managing Director of Rushbrook, Roma Sharma, commented: 

“Bonfire Night is a great opportunity to get together with friends and family, and there's no reason why tenants shouldn't be able to enjoy the celebrations. However, even a small bonfire or a few fireworks can cause expensive damage if things don't go to plan. 

“For those living in shared accommodation, apartment blocks or managed developments, there's an added consideration. It's not just your own household or immediate neighbours who could be affected, but potentially dozens of other residents. Communal gardens and shared outdoor spaces may also be subject to stricter rules, so it's always worth checking what's permitted before making plans. 

“A little consideration goes a long way, whether that's giving neighbours advance notice, keeping noise to a minimum or choosing an organised display instead. The aim isn't to put a dampener on the celebrations, but to make sure everyone can enjoy Bonfire Night without unnecessary damage, disruption or disputes.” 

Data tables and sources 

View the full data tables and sources online here. 

Costs are illustrative estimates based on published repair and replacement prices, rather than recorded Bonfire Night claims. The £1,050–£1,150 total combines hypothetical damage to fencing, garden furniture, a shed and 50 sq m of lawn.

Repair and replacement cost sources: -

• Fencing: https://www.mybuilder.com/fencing/price-guides/fence-panels-cost

• Roof tiles: https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/roof-tile-replacement-cost/

• Garden furniture: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/outdoor-seating-700350/

• Turf: https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/turfing-costs/

• Garden sheds: https://www.sheds.co.uk/garden-sheds.html

• Windows: https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/window-glass-replacement-cost/

• Guttering: https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/gutter-replacement-cost/

• Carpet cleaning: https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/carpet-cleaning-cost/

• Fire damage: https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/fire-damage-restoration-cost/ 

Fireworks legislation and tenancy guidance: -

• https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/organising-non-professional-fireworks-displays

• https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/fireworks/

• https://www.ellisandco.co.uk/guides/renting/firework/