Hanging out the clean laundry

Reported in the Hull Daily Mail, PJ Livesy Group's Westwood Park estate built on the site of a former hospital has a Victorian legacy.

Prices on the estate start at £349,950 for a three-bedroom house, and include a washer and dryer already installed.

One buyer, who was made aware of the rules before buying, said: 'I'd never heard of it before. I don't really know how they can stop you - there's worse crimes you can do. I think people will ignore the rules to be honest, once they move in.'

A spokeswoman for the company said she wanted residents to be assured the development wouldn't become 'garish'.

The restrictive covenant governing the development is designed to ensure the character and appearance of the estate is maintained.

According to Simon Waterfield, a partner at Nelsons Solicitors, richer developments tend to have more covenants and warned of 'not to cause a nuisance' catch-all on building scheme estates.

'I have used this to stop a music studio being set up next door to my client's property and I have seen covenants which prevent houses being used as places of religious gathering.'

With developers keen to avoid any behaviour that may detract from a development's visual appearance, new home buyers over the festive period may have to think twice before hanging out their decorations.