Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour and her garden fires.

28 replies

PatrickStarxx · 06/04/2015 20:24

My neighbour must have minimum of 4 gardens fires a week. In the summer it is everyday.
She doesn't put bin rubbish out, she just burns it.

Her friends bring her wood and rubbish throughout the week to Hmm

She has really pissed me off this weekend.Every bloody day from 7am until late she has been burning something really smelly. It's thick black smoke and the street is covered. We only live in a cul-de-sac and our houses are close together.

I have tried everything from reporting her to our housing association to knocking on her door ( she refuses to answer)

Today was such a nice day and we couldn't even sit outside in our own garden because of her selfishness.

The housing and environmental health are doing nothing to help even though we live in a smokeless area. Aibu to think that everybody has the right to enjoy their gardens rather than selfish thundercunts?

OP posts:
CruCru · 06/04/2015 20:28

That sounds awful. YANBU.

Original poster
PatrickStarxx · 06/04/2015 20:30

So I don't drip feed...
My neighbour is Indian so if you ask her not do do things you are accused of being a racist. The whole neighbourhood are racists Hmm

She also accuses people of assault and rape. So it's a very delicate situation.

She is known throughout the borough because she has gone from village to village being an nightmare until she's either evicted or just leaves because she's a twat.

OP posts:
SpringtimeForShatner · 06/04/2015 20:31

She isn't allowed to burn general household waste, and the council will have to contact her. She's causing a nuisance if she's regularly polluting the street.

Keep on at the council, they have an obligation to stop this. Record every instance in the meantime.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 06/04/2015 20:33

Keep reporting her, she's a twat. It can't be good for anyone's health with all of that smoke on a regular basis.

Original poster
PatrickStarxx · 06/04/2015 20:33

springtime last year we all had diaries and even film footage but nothing was done.

I can't cope with another year of it Sad
My sister is a severe asthmatic so she can't visit. My windows remain closed too.

OP posts:
Skiptonlass · 06/04/2015 20:34

Keep calling environmental health. What a crap situation :(

Jacana · 06/04/2015 20:35

Yes, I agree with you.

A hint.....elections are coming soon and local councillors are anxious for your vote. Phone them up tomorrow, whichever are more prominent in your area, and ask for their help.

Amazing how a sniff of your X on a ballot paper will concentrate their minds Hmm

You'll probably find that a by-law restricts garden fires to after 7.00pm or sommat, dunno...

Please do it, tho. We've always had a success -even tho our local go-to isn't the person I necessarily vote for.Wink

Original poster
PatrickStarxx · 06/04/2015 20:36

I feel like dragging my hosepipe round and putting it out but I would get in trouble no doubt.

OP posts:
EponasWildDaughter · 06/04/2015 20:36

Keep on at the council OP. They have a responsibility to you to put a stop to this - it's outrageous!

Do you have a hose? Would the jet reach the place she lights the fires? I would honestly be blasting the bloody bonfires with my hose if i were you.

Personally i'd be quite happy to take the resulting confrontation. Antisocial fire-lighting gives me the rage like nothing else!

EponasWildDaughter · 06/04/2015 20:38

Lol, do it!

In trouble from who? To be honest if she managed to get anyone interested in coming round to tell you off about your hose pipe then you can tell them about her fires!

SpringtimeForShatner · 06/04/2015 20:38

You have to call and report every single instance of polluting. If you and a couple of neighbours agree to do this, you could be getting three reports every time it happens. She'll eventually be evicted.

NotallTravellersarebad · 06/04/2015 20:38

Check government website about smoke Free/ zone / low smoke zones in the uk ??? May help, I'm not sure, or is that only chimney fires??? Yanbu, she sounds as if she had too much time on her hands if she can keep a fire going all day.

Original poster
PatrickStarxx · 06/04/2015 20:40

It's very hard to approach her. The things she accuses people of are really scary.
She called the police on my brother and said he had raped her. Luckily he had the best alibi, he was in Iraq!

She eventually admitted her lies but no charges were brought against her.
She really is the neighbour from hell.
Her dog barks nonstop too...

OP posts:
Original poster
PatrickStarxx · 06/04/2015 20:41

notall she's a bit of a recluse and she's unemployed. She's out in her garden all day no matter what the weather.

OP posts:
GrumpyKitty · 06/04/2015 20:58

Anonymously call the fire brigade, tell them you've just gone past the house and the garden is belching thick, black smoke, and you're worried.
Also, keep badgering EH, and keep a diary of all the incidents, with photos if you can, and try to record any interactions with her. Good luck!

Original poster
PatrickStarxx · 06/04/2015 21:17

Thanks grumpy I'll try that next time she lights one.

OP posts:
Pipbin · 06/04/2015 21:20

It's a bit off the the HA aren't doing anything.

Original poster
PatrickStarxx · 06/04/2015 21:22

The HA are useless to be honest. They admit she's a nightmare neighbour but I think they're frightened of her.

OP posts:
mswibble · 06/04/2015 21:26

I would have an 'out of control' hosepipe every time she decides to have a bonfire, drench the whole thing. Honestly it sounds awful, I'd rather noisy neighbours than a pyromaniac!

PurpleSwift · 06/04/2015 21:42

I second putting it out with a hose if you can reach. Unfortunately for you, her smoke is traveling into your garden and it's pretty disgusting, equally your water could travel into hers and douse those flames.

Original poster
PatrickStarxx · 06/04/2015 21:44

She's 3 houses down so I'd need a massive hosepipe Grin

OP posts:
austenozzy · 06/04/2015 21:46

Try your mp too, the HA may well get a rocket up its jacksie. My wife was a housing officer and when the mp got on their case things were escalated pdq.

Ratfinkandbobo · 06/04/2015 21:50

Surely this is antisocial behaviour? HA should have policies to deal with this. How about contact your local councillor to complain?

Original poster
PatrickStarxx · 06/04/2015 22:06

I never thought about contacting my local mp.
I'll do that first thing tomorrow.

OP posts:
SistersOfPercy · 06/04/2015 23:12

My mum had a similar issue with a builder who lived behind her. He'd bring all his waste home and burn it.
Our council were really good and really quick to act.
I'd say keep on at the environmental department at your local council. Every time there is a fire call them, name a nuisance of yourself.